The Pentagon has launched a task force to oversee a department wide rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – DEI, initiatives announced in February that will begin making visits to installations to gage how that policy is being carried out.
An earlier memo – “Restoring America’s Fighting Force” – calls for the elimination of DEI offices and initiatives across the department, in order to help it get “back to merit-based, colorblind policies” according Jules W. Hurst III, who is leading the task force.
Hurst, an Army veteran performing the duties of undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, will lead the nine-member task force on a four-week tour to six military installations, including two service academies, to ensure the directive is properly understood and implemented at every level, according to DoD. It aims to report on outcomes by June 1.
“My team and I are traveling to installations and service academies to ensure the president and secretary’s intent and guidance are being carried out across the department. We want to hear from the leaders and service members on the ground, identify any challenges to implementation, and help our warfighters overcome these obstacles,” Hurst said.
He added that the task force wants to get feedback and see how the policy is being implemented and interpreted, citing the potential for willful misinterpretation as well as potential confusion or ambiguity. Hurst referenced challenges regarding the removal of culturally and historically significant content from some DoD organizations, for example.
DoD issued a related memo in February requiring the removal and archiving of news articles, photos and videos promoting DEI, including content related to critical race theory, gender ideology, and identity-based programs.
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