Former SECDEF: DEI Divides Us

Former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, USMA ’86, was recently asked about the woke military on Bill Maher’s show:

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Transcript:

Bill Maher: “So what are the specifics that they’re talking about when they say a woke military is threatening our readiness? What are they talking about specifically, what kind of things and is there any credibility?”

Former SECDEF Mark Esper: “To the second question first let me say it’s not as bad as the right would say, but it’s worse than what the left will acknowledge. What does it look like?

You know this this Administration set up a DEI office that would dictate DOD policies for education. There are classes on what to say and what not to say.

For example, you shouldn’t say “hey guys” you should say “hey everyone”. You shouldn’t say Mom and Dad, you should say parents and guardians. The color-blind argument. There’s the issue of drag queen story hours on post.

Now look, I don’t think this is driven from the leadership at the Pentagon. I think it’s coming from the White House and from people within the administration who come in and believe that they’re pushing their agenda forward.

You asked what’s the problem?

The problem is it takes time and resources away from the troops that they should otherwise be training and preparing for war.

It further divides us, it further starts putting people into buckets, whether you’re based on your ethnicity, your gender, your sex, the color of your skin.

My view is, I’m sorry–if you’re in the military, if you’re in the Army, you’re all green. If you’re in the Air Force, you’re all blue. We have a common mission, a common purpose.

Let’s stop subdividing and identifying people along those lines because it creates friction that undermines morale and readiness.”

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From his DOD bio:

Dr. Mark T. Esper was born on April 26, 1964, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He is a 1986 graduate of the United States Military Academy and received his commission in the Infantry.

Upon completion of Ranger and Pathfinder training, he served in the 101st Airborne Division and participated in the 1990-91 Gulf War with the “Screaming Eagles.”

He later commanded a Rifle Company in the 3-325 Airborne Battalion Combat Team in Vicenza, Italy.

He retired from the U.S. Army in 2007 after spending 10 years on active duty and 11 years in the National Guard and Army Reserve. . . .

. . . .The Honorable Mark T. Esper was sworn in as the 27th Secretary of Defense July 23, 2019 and served in that capacity until Nov. 9, 2020.

He previously served as Acting Secretary of Defense from June 24, 2019, to July 15, 2019.

Dr. Esper served as the Secretary of the Army from Nov. 20, 2017, to June 24, 2019, and from July 15, 2019, to July 23, 2019.