Veteran Responds to Defense Secretary’s Call to End ‘Woke’ Policies
A U.S. Army veteran publicly responded to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s recent push to roll back diversity and inclusion initiatives within the armed forces, asserting that service members “never asked for special treatment.” The exchange follows comments made by Fox News contributor Pete Hegseth, sparking a debate over the prioritization of military readiness versus progressive policies.
The controversy centers on a perceived shift toward prioritizing identity politics over combat effectiveness. Secretary Austin has initiated efforts to end policies implemented in recent years, arguing they detract from core military functions. This move has ignited strong reactions from both sides of the political spectrum, with some veterans voicing support for a return to customary standards and others defending the importance of diversity within the ranks.
Republican Representative Sheri Biggs of Arizona, a Lieutenant Colonel in the National Air Guard, voiced support for austin’s efforts, stating, “Returning to standards that prioritize excellence and accountability puts the security of the United States and our military where they should be: in the first place.”
South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace, a graduate of the Military School, echoed this sentiment on social media, declaring, “Our enemies are not afraid of diversity quotas. They fear American fire power.”
