Fewer Ships, Recruiting Shortfalls: DEI Has Left Our Navy Less Prepared: In the past several weeks, the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy have announced that a shortage of manpower will force them to sideline ships. Given the growing threats globally, from China to the Mideast, the timing couldn’t be worse.
But what makes this truly unacceptable is that thanks to misguided diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, it’s largely self-inflicted.
The U.S. Navy’s DEI Challenge
Direct evidence linking DEI to declining recruitment is hard to come by, though whistleblower complaints and polling make a connection hard to dismiss. DEI was quietly introduced government-wide by executive order in 2011, but only after the military explicitly embraced DEI in the wake of the BLM riots and presidential elections of 2020 did recruitment collapse—at least for the services that most visibly embraced it. The Marine Corps, which did not aggressively push DEI, has not suffered the same steep drop in recruitment as the other services.
The results? After persistent recruiting challenges since 2020, the Coast Guard—which is facing a 10% shortage in crews—last year took the remarkable step of sidelining 10 cutters and shuttering 29 boat stations. The Navy, meanwhile, missed its recruiting goals last year by 7,000 and has shrunk by 21,000 sailors since 2021. Then there’s the Army, which reduced its goals rather than acknowledge even larger recruitment gaps.
At least the Navy has (so far) avoided mothballing warships. However, the Navy’s Military Sealift Command recently announced plans to sideline 17 logistic ships critical to the naval mission due to a lack of qualified merchant mariners.
As bad news mounts, it’s possible DEI apparatchiks may imitate the corporate world, which is also running from DEI. One recent tactic: changing their name, such as reversing the order of the words to IED ostensibly to emphasize the ‘inclusion’ part. But it remains Marxist ideology. The intent has always been to sow dissension previously on class conflict but today on racial animus.
This is the core of critical race theory. Recall what Ibram X. Kendi, the author once celebrated and included on military professional reading lists as a visionary of the DEI movement, had to say:
“The only remedy to racist discrimination is antiracist discrimination. The only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination. The only remedy to present discrimination is future discrimination.”
So it’s no wonder that after all the aggressive oppressor-oppressed categorizations, privilege walks, and emphasis on how immutable characteristics equate to past evils, that groups previously a staple of military recruitment have voted with their feet. Under-appreciated, vilified, and hounded, white males are not enlisting as before. And they are not the only ones alienated by the military’s four-year infatuation with all things DEI.
To make matters worse, military parents have even encouraged their children to avoid a military career—a huge vote of no-confidence never heard of before. This is a historic breakdown in the military that coincides with the 2020 summer of rioting and the vocal and aggressive pursuit of DEI. This ushered in a not too distant time when drag-queen shows on bases were being defended.
What Should the U.S. Navy Do Now?
Rather than vilify one group as “oppressor” and demean another as “oppressed,” it would make more sense—and, frankly, be more inclusive—to focus on building up a team of common vision: the navy mission. The best course forward is to expunge the vestiges of DEI from the Coast Guard and Navy and focus on instilling unit cohesion, improving competency, and valuating sailors on merit.
True, not everyone starts at the same point, but those giving their all are needed in these dangerous times. For this reason, programs like BOOST that were ended in 2008 need to be brought back and given an update. BOOST was intended to give promising enlisted sailors from disadvantaged education systems preparation for college and commission as an officer. Today this is needed for able-bodied and driven to achieve recruits to prepare not for commissions only, but for highly technical specialties in short supply, like nuclear mechanics.
It’s time to ask why the Marine Corps hasn’t suffered the fate of the others. One thought is that it could be attributed to consistency in their institutional culture of “Semper Fi,” something the others have lost in the pursuit of political fads.
People join the military to serve their country, not to rejoice in their identity. The nation needs citizen-patriots a lot more than it needs DEI—and that’s an inclusive call to duty.
About the Author: Brent D. Sadler
Brent D. Sadler, a 26-year veteran nuclear submarine and foreign area officer, is a Senior Research Fellow at The Heritage Foundation covering naval warfare and advanced technologies.
bobb
September 6, 2024 at 7:57 am
DEI isn’t marxist ideology BUT democrat party’s wokeist mental mind warp designed to advance ersatz mores.
Wokeism from its original base has been thoroughly hijacked to become the overriding democrat strategy to impose their version of their ideal of a heaven on Earth.
The top proponent has been joe Biden who’s been very busy handing out sanctions and judgements on those not enthusiastic about wokeism.
Until the elder democrats suddenly pulled the rug from under him.
Thus the democrat DEI wokeism mind warp hasn’t yet creeped into the sub boomers fleet.
Otherwise, nuke ww3 around the corner. But the USAF ? TOO LATE. Past bedtime now.
gregory wangler
September 6, 2024 at 10:57 am
Can the Navy (and all other branches) survive till January? Then the real pain begins: PURGE, RETIRE, REFORM, RESTRUCTURE…
Dennis Gill
September 6, 2024 at 8:39 pm
Excellent summation, Mr. Sadler.
ronald hill
September 7, 2024 at 9:30 am
DEI is destroying American businesses and now the American military. Hiring based on DEI is biased and Un-American. Hiring should be on a level playing field, where the most suitable are selected.
Daniel Peabody
September 7, 2024 at 9:54 am
As a 24 year U.S. Navy Veteran, this was a refreshing summation of what I have been witnessing since I enlisted in 1990 including a BOOST program gone awry.
As a SNCO who was appalled by some of the “required” military reading during “Chief Season” from the likes of Mr. Kendi, I could see the shift of focus from warfare preparedness to CRT centric blanketed “training” from the top down.
It truly was a sight to behold.
The Navy even went so far as to put a female Admiral in a “DEI” position with a White Male SCPO as an SEA who was outed on national TV describing the whole hush-hush movement behind it at the Pentagon.
It is truly a sad state of affairs.
In the late 80’s my brother(who went on to become a Mustang in the Navy through ECP) and I were discouraged from becoming LEO’s by our father who was a 30yr LEO himself, due to the change in respect back then for the profession. After both retiring from the Navy, we each ironically found ourselves discouraging our children from serving in the military in the last decade+ due to myriad reasons including CRT, DEI, and the woke agenda that has served to put them in unnecessary harmas way above and beyond serving as trained volunteers to defend the country.
Of our combined 6 children, 6 attended carefully selected Universities and my brothers youngest son joined the Coast Guard of which he is nearing the end of his regrettable first hitch.
Last year, I spent 9 months living on a major Naval Air Station as an MWR volunteer RV park host. The local CPO club is one of the most diverse in the Navy. I was appalled at the segregation and blatant racism I witnessed between Active Duty members as well as Retirees and Active Duty members. A well known minority Force Master Chief who retired in 2010 frequented the club weekly and was clearly a long time proponent of CRT. He was often heard and seen advising and mentoring impressionable Active Duty minority khaki’s regarding these very topics.
Regardless of any official “end” to the practice in the military, there will still be a movement under the layers that will continue to allow those who previously “benefited” from DEI to utilize the practice in some capacity.
Mike Sparks
September 7, 2024 at 1:06 pm
DEI is a 1st Amendment ANARCHY Civil Right; time to ditch the Satanism-in-disguise, “secular” 1787 U.S. Constitution that incubated nihilist hedonist WOKETARDED degeneracy; read Gary North’s “Conspiracy in Philadelphia” for details. Either return to 1607 to 1786 as a highly moral, stoical, successful Christian Confederation or we DIE (not DEI) from Revelation 18 WW3 nuclear incineration. It’s not just Satanist “bad apples” murdering AmeroBabylon it’s its BAD BARREL.
Mike Sparks
September 7, 2024 at 1:08 pm
DEI is a 1st Amendment ANARCHY Civil Right; time to ditch the Satanism-in-disguise, “secular” 1787 U.S. Constitution that incubated nihilist hedonist WOKETARDED degeneracy; read Gary North’s “Conspiracy in Philadelphia” for details. Either return to 1607 to 1786 as a highly moral, stoical, successful Christian Confederation or we DIE (not DEI) from Revelation 18 WW3 nuclear incineration. It’s not just Satanist DeMOBcrat “bad apples” murdering AmeroBabylon–it is it’s BAD BARREL.
Mike Sparks
September 7, 2024 at 1:12 pm
Oh STFU, Sadler! The tankless, can’t MANEUVER, moron korpse attracts all sorts of sex-driven, marching bad uniform wearing, malignant narccists with zero interest in combined arms, warfighting excellence and are in no danger going ashore to evict mere Houthi rebels from ASM firing positions while conveniently in easily ambush-incinerated, air-filled rubber tired trucks.
Snowshoe818
September 7, 2024 at 5:20 pm
I am a retired Navy Chief. This all started years ago right after the Vietnam war. We had mandatory race relations courses and seminars, then we had to cater to women, and don’t forget the politically correct BS. This all occurred in the 70’s and 80’s. The Navy started going “soft” with Zumwalt.
Bill
September 7, 2024 at 8:55 pm
Does DEI also cover XXXL weight standards ? Wow
Joe Tairei
September 8, 2024 at 4:25 am
What a sad fall from grace. The U.S. military spearheaded racial integration in the 1950s, offering black men career opportunities not available to them in the private sector. Now the armed forces have been taken over by woke idiots who are systematically destroying our military competence and readiness from within. Our global adversaries could not be more pleased.
Roger Maris
September 8, 2024 at 12:30 pm
No military aged white male would want to enlist when politicians made it clear to promote race and women over more experienced white men. It is Diversity, Equity & Inclusion being used in the degeneration of our military.
The Army obesity crisis is worse among the “diversity” hires — women, blacks, and transvestites. Transgenders can seek an indefinite fitness standards exemption, and don’t have to meet physical fitness standards that apply to everybody else in the Army. Fancy that.
Francis Maikisch
September 8, 2024 at 1:52 pm
DEI IS Marxist. People don’t seem to understand this. Putting DEI aside, why in the heck would I advise any young person to join a military that is broken in multiple ways? For decades base housing is allowed to get worse and worse while senior morons waste huge sums on weapons systems that are boondoggle but help their retirement prospects with corrupt military contractors. For 30+ years we’ve engaged in non stop conflicts with zero national gain. Senior military leadership doesn’t give a damn about the troops. I don’t care is George Washington himself is resurrected to lead, unless our shores are being invaded me and mine are done and we will not answer a draft. Our govt under either party has lost legitimacy which cannot be regained. My grandson will NOT serve. 4 generations of service to a corrupt and self enriching govt.
James Drouin
September 9, 2024 at 9:55 am
Incorrect. What is sinking the US Navy (and it ain’t any better in the Army or Air Force either) is a complete and total lack of “accountability”.
Multi-billion dollar boondoggle after multi-billion dollar boondoggle and no one but a swabbie is punished
Geof
September 9, 2024 at 11:53 am
Why would any white, heterosexual male (historically the backbone of our military) enlist in the military to be openly and blatantly discriminated against in a myriad of ways big and small? Jobs are easy to find in the civilian world, and anyone willing to work a trade is guaranteed a decent living.
Andy
September 9, 2024 at 4:22 pm
Just a giant echo chamber. Could have focused on recruitment and attention as a whole. Thought you were better than this.
Frank Blangeard
September 9, 2024 at 10:35 pm
Changing DEI to IED is a brilliant idea. Improvised Explosive Device.
Mark Starr
September 11, 2024 at 2:26 am
Exactly the same in the UK , in the Air Force the Director of Recruitment was given the specific order to recruit non whites , being a honourable person she resigned her Commission . In the Army statistics have shown that white soldiers are discriminated against from promotion to NCO status so fewer are joning