The Department of Defense (DOD) is requesting approximately $114 million to finance its latest round of diversity initiatives.
The DOD plans to use the funds for “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” (DEIA) programs in fiscal year 2024.
“The FY 2024 President’s Budget request demonstrates the DoD’s commitment to DEIA and includes $114.7 million for dedicated diversity and inclusion activities,” the department wrote in its Strategic Management Plan for fiscal year 2022 to 2026.
It continues, “This funding across the Military Departments, OSD Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute is investing in programs and initiatives aimed at furthering DEIA, and incorporating DEIA values, objectives, and considerations in how we do business and execute our missions.”
The funding request is the largest of its kind yet for the DOD, which earmarked $68 million for DEIA initiatives in fiscal year 2022 and $86.5 million in fiscal year 2023, according to reports from the Daily Wire.
“Leaders at all levels are responsible for fostering a climate of inclusion that supports diversity, is free from problematic behaviors, and does not tolerate retaliation or reprisal against those filing complaints,” the DOD previously wrote in its Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request. . . . (read more on Fox News)
DOD Strategic Management Plan for fiscal year 2022 to 2026 (pdf)
DEI is mentioned 39 times in this report, including page 52:
Performance Goal 4.2.3 – Inculcate DEIA Principles Across All DoD Efforts. Lead: OUSD(P&R)
DEIA has impacts on both the Department’s workforce and its mission, and therefore it should be examined beyond the traditional human resources lens by which it historically has been viewed.
Since 2009, multiple comprehensive, deliberate efforts have produced recommendations that collectively help guide the Department in institutionalizing DEIA across the enterprise, such as the Military Leadership Diversity Commission (MLDC) Final Report (2011), the DoD Board on Diversity and Inclusion Final Report (2020), and the DEIA Risk Report (2023).
Additionally, during 2022-2023, the DoD 2040 Task Force conducted a DEIA Document Analysis to recommend integration of DEIA elements into key DoD documents that directly inform how the Department perceives the security environment, the future, and the organization’s roles and missions. This will help institutionalize the advancement of DEIA and the value of diversity to the Department’s mission.
To help gauge how well DEIA principles are inculcated across the DoD, the Department will measure the percentage of DEIA recommendations that are fully implemented out of those that are approved by DoD senior leadership from the MLDC Final Report, the DoD Board on Diversity and Inclusion Final Report, the DEIA Risk Report, and other approved sources.
Additionally, the DoD will track the total number, and the associated percentage of change to that number over time, of DoD guiding documents that are updated to incorporate DEIA principles and values.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FISCAL YEAR 2024 BUDGET REQUEST (pdf)
The FY 2024 President’s Budget request demonstrates the DoD’s commitment to DEIA and includes $114.7 million for dedicated diversity and inclusion activities.
This funding across the Military Departments, OSD Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute is investing in programs and initiatives aimed at furthering DEIA, and incorporating DEIA values, objectives, and considerations in how we do business and execute our missions.
With the publication of the DEIA 2023-2027 Strategic Plan along with the DEIA Risk Report later this year, the Department will provide actions and priorities to advance DEIA – ensuring our entire workforce lives by fundamental values that bolster unit cohesion, fortify individual and collective strengths, promote innovative solutions to complex challenges, and culminate in efficient mission execution.
These are principles that are critical to all four NDS priorities. They are not simply about building a workforce; they are the cornerstone of the human element of warfighting and national security.
Ensuring diversity of backgrounds, thoughts experience, expertise, and education is critical to enhanced global joint warfighter capabilities fundamental to all DoD activities.
Last week, the Pentagon failed its 6th consecutive audit.
This week, they requested $114 million for DEI.
The Biden Admin’s focus on progressivism over warfighting continues to exacerbate the military recruiting crisis and calls into question our level of military… pic.twitter.com/UO7WrZphgB
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) November 21, 2023
“Last week, the Pentagon failed its 6th consecutive audit.
This week, they requested $114 million for DEI.
The Biden Admin’s focus on progressivism over warfighting continues to exacerbate the military recruiting crisis and calls into question our level of military preparedness.”
Pentagon requesting $114 million for DEI is either tone deaf or antagonistic. There’s no other explanation.
The amount should be $0. This woke, liberal madness is a stain on our military.
— Rep. Ralph Norman (@RepRalphNorman) November 21, 2023
The Pentagon wants $114 million more to spend on DEI initiatives in 2024.
No thanks.
How does this help the mission of keeping America safe and the warfighter trained?
— Congressman Ben Cline (@RepBenCline) November 21, 2023
Spending $114m on DEI at the Pentagon is a terrible idea.
This money should go to keeping America safe. Not promoting toxic wokeness.https://t.co/TaHt2Q40bT
— Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) November 25, 2023
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