Military Service Academy Affinity/Culture Clubs

No, not THAT Culture Club, but close.  (Only people from the 1980s will get this)

A look at identity-based clubs at the military service academies which separate one from another based on skin color, sexual preferences, beliefs and ethnicities instead of thinking of themselves as One — American warfighters.

At the US Air Force Academy:

• Arabic Club: A group of cadets and active duty service members committed to spreading awareness of the Arabic culture and language throughout the cadet wing.
• Chinese Diversity Club: Fosters interest in Chinese culture and allows students to engage in conversation and activities related to traditional cooking, film, crafts, and games.
• Hispanic Heritage: Promotes the language, culture and traditions of Spanish-speaking countries.
• Italian Club: Promotes opportunities for cadets to understand the culture, language, history, and significance of Italy as an ally.
• Korean-American Student Association (KASA): Promotes awareness of Korean culture by focusing on cultural education, alumni relations, and knowledge of United States / Republic of Korea policies and issues.
• Le Club Francais: The mission of the Francophone Culture Club is to empower Academy cadets with knowledge of the French language, francophone cultures, and their history.
• Native American Heritage: Creates a supportive and educational outlet promoting Native American cultures and heritage.
• Pacific Rim: Supports the education on Asian and Pacific cultures by providing diverse experiences through community service, cultural activities and the expression of cultural customs.
• Schulte Assembly: A gender issues forum that seeks to inform and discuss the importance of diversity in the U.S. military. This forum prepares cadets to integrate and lead as U.S. Air Force officers by fostering a safe, voluntary environment of mentoring, education, and empowerment.
• Secular Cadet Alliance: Facilitates discussion among non-religious and questioning cadets of ideas and perspectives about the world through the lens of science, reason and naturalism.
• Spectrum: Provides a support network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) cadets and allies and creates an educational experience for all cadets dedicated to the retention, development and commissioning of culturally and socially competent junior officers.
• Vietnamese Student Association: Strengthens the Vietnamese-American awareness at the Academy and the community.
• Way of Life: A community that promotes awareness of and support to the Black cadet/military experience through a better understanding, exploration, and expression of Black culture, with a goal of improving the social climate.

The identity-group obsession even carries on after graduation with USAFA Association of Graduates (AOG) affinity groups like:

•  Academy Women
• Hispanic Heritage Alumni Group “Los Padrinos”
• Blue Alliance – LGBTAQ+
• Way of Life – Black alumni
• Zoomies Against Sexual Assault

US Military Academy at West Point:

• Asian-Pacific Forum
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters
• Corbin Forum (Women’s group)
• Cultural (Contemporary) Affairs Seminar
• Japanese Forum
• Korean-American Relations Seminar
• Latin Culture
• National Society of Black Engineers
• Native American Heritage Forum
• Cadet Secular Student Alliance
• Society of Women Engineers
• Spectrum (LGBTQ)
• Vietnamese-American Cadet Association
• Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers

US Naval Academy:

• Chinese Culture Club
• Filipino-American Midshipman Club
• Italian American Club
• Japanese American Midshipmen Club
• Joy Bright Hancock Organization (Women’s group)
• Korean American Midshipmen Association
• Latin American Studies Club
• Midshipmen Black Studies Club
• Midshipmen Caribbean Heritage Club
• Native American Heritage Club
• National Society of Black Engineers
• Navy Spectrum (LGBTQ)
• Vietnamese Student Association
• Jewish Midshipmen Club
• Muslim Midshipmen Club
• Mustang Club
• Eastern European Culture Club
• South Asian Heritage Club
• German Club
• Pacific Islands Culture Club

USNA has a “Diversity Peer Educator Program” midshipmen to educate and inform their peers about DEI — one DPE representative (aka Political Commissar) per company, varsity athletic team and club sport.

Alumni have as USNA Minority Association and a USNA Women group.

US Coast Guard Academy:

• Asian Pacific American Council
• Compañeros
• Diversity Peer Educators
• Genesis Council – “the African-American/Black diaspora today”
• International Council
• Spectrum Council – “support network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) cadets”
• Tribal Council
• Women’s Leadership Council

BTW, true Political Commissars, the “Diversity Peer Educators” are

“made up of cadets who volunteer to serve in the Corps of Cadets as “go to people” for information and support on topics surrounding sensitive subjects like race, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Diversity Peer Educators’ primary goals are to create an inclusive and embracing climate for cadets to discuss race, gender and equality amongst the corps; to serve as “ears” in the corps to help alert The Office of Inclusion and Diversity of possible emerging concerns among cadets.”

Can’t get any more Soviet Political Commissar than that. Members of the Soviet military were well aware of these Zampolit in their ranks and hated them.

US Merchant Marine Academy:

• Cultural Diversity Club
• KP Ladies’ Club
• Asian and Pacific Islander Club
• Jewish Life Club
• KP Open Seas Club  -“educates Midshipmen about LGBTQIA+ related issues”
• Campus Culture Committee
• Peer Diversity Educators – “students who are being specially trained in matters of diversity, education and inclusion and will be used to provide training to the regiment and serve as leaders for dealing with issues”

Curious about VMI (Virginia Military Institute), they do not have a page listing affinity clubs but rather Academic Clubs and Honor Societies. But their “Diversity, Opportunity and Inclusion” page shows program/events including a traveling exhibit of experiences/contributions of minority women in the military; The Clothesline Project raising awareness of sex/dating violence; 25th anniversary of women at VMI; women’s history month speaker; commemorating national Hispanic Heritage month and Native American Heritage month.

The Citadel has an “Inclusive Excellence Council” to “promote a culture of diversity and inclusion.” Under Employee Resource Groups”, there is a LBGTQ+ ERG and a Women’s ERG. So no affinity groups for cadets, they are all America soldiers. Thank goodness.

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Who knew, back in the 1980s…..

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One more:

Even the Colorado National Guard has dividing identity groups as seen in this childish flyer: