The Air Force Academy Class of 2013 marches into Falcon Stadium for graduation in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 29, 2013. About 1,024 cadets were commissioned today. (Air Force photo by Mike Kaplan)
By: FEDweek StaffAir Force Secretary Frank Kendall is ordering Air Force and Space Force leadership to broaden diversity and inclusion among the ranks – with a specific focus upon the officer corps. He wants to see a plan for updating applicant pool demographic goals on his desk by Sept. 30, as well as annual reports on the progress of these initiatives.
“It is imperative that the composition of our military services better reflect our nation’s highly talented, diverse, and eligible population,” Kendall said in a memorandum. “[This goal] continues our progress toward achieving a force more representative of our nation, while leveraging that diversity to enhance the Air and Space Forces’ ability to deter, and if necessary, deny our nation’s competitors.”
Kendall wants to see more diverse pools of prospective officers in the primary avenues for commissioning: the Air Force Academy, the Reserve Officer Training Corps, and Officer Training School. The Space Force also offers direct commissions to applicants who possess specific critical skills.
The new applicant pool goals will no longer consider race, ethnicity or gender separately. They will operate alongside the existing merit-based processes.
“Our … goals are intentional because our investments and outreach to top talent must be intentional,” said Undersecretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones.
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