Sixty-eight percent of active-duty service members see growing politicization of U.S. military

The majority of those on active duty are seeing an increased politicization in the U.S. Military. Critical Race Theory and other politically correct initiatives are being pushed towards the ranks. Instead of focusing as much time as possible on making the military more lethal against the enemies, things like lowering standards for equity purposes, removing obstacles for transgenders, and climate change appeared to be influencing military policies related to the troops.

From Breitbart:

“The Pentagon should be focused on winning America’s future wars rather than prioritizing divisive programs and issues,” Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL), who chaired the panel, said. “The Pentagon should be focused on how best to counter our global adversaries like China and recruiting the best and brightest to our ranks.”

Changing policy allowing unrestricted service of transgender-identifying persons appears to be a major sticking point for active duty military, with 80 percent reporting that the changes have decreased their trust in the military.

Equity-based initiatives like lowering physical fitness standards are also of great concern for active duty, as 70 percent saying the reduction of such standards to “even the playing field” lowers their trust in the institution.

The new focus on “climate change as a top national security threat” has also lost the trust of 70 percent of active duty military.

Sixty-nine percent said the inclusion of critical race theory books on the reading list for the Chief of Naval Operations was concerning, while 68 percent said they were concerned about reports of sexual assault.

When broken down by top-selected areas of concern, the highest ranking were an “over emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives,” the reduction of fitness standards, and the military funding abortions.

“It’s more clear than ever that Americans are losing faith in what should be America’s most trusted institution and the current recruitment crisis facing our military is evidence of that,” Waltz said.

According to Heritage Executive Vice President Derrick Morgan, 2022 “was the worst year for recruiting since the advent of the all-volunteer force, and 2023 is shaping up to be as bad or worse.”

“These alarming poll results confirm what many have long suspected,” panel member and First Liberty Institute director of Military Affairs and senior counsel Mike Berry said. “Our military is further adrift than ever and risks becoming completely unmoored from its national security role.”

“This poll is another warning shot to policymakers that we are failing our troops by allowing political activism to deprive them of the focus and high training standards they deserve to fight and win,” Hudson Institute senior fellow and panel member Rebecca Heinrichs said.

Breitbart has the rest of the story.

Category: Big Pentagon