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The US Air Force Academy has come under fire for providing diversity and inclusion training that urges cadets to use non-gender language, dropping words like “mom” and “dad,” as well as “girlfriend” and “boyfriend.”
According to screenshots from the seminar, obtained by FOX News DigitalAir Force training officials ask recruits to use generic terms like “partner” instead of “boyfriend” or “girlfriend” and “parent” or “parents” instead of “mother” and “father.”
The slides shared by FOX News sparked outrage from many across the country, including Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL).
Waltz, a Green Beret and Afghan War veteran, spoke to the news agency about his feelings about what he calls “destructive” lessons being taught to young cadets.
He even compared the workshops to those in the communist Soviet Union and China, which were held to force recruits into extreme ideologies.
A screenshot of the “diversity and inclusion” course for cadets at the US Air Force Academy
“That’s absolutely destructive to morale, to unity, to everything I know of an army, which, by the way, was integrated way ahead of the rest of the country by 1948,” Waltz said in the interview.
The Academy recommends that students use “person centered” language, using “person with disabilities” instead of “disabled people” or “transgender/service workers” instead of “transgender”.
‘Y’all’, ‘folks’ and ‘squaddies’ also get a thumbs up according to the slides, while ‘guys’ is out.
The move is part of a commitment to diversity and inclusion within the Air Force and other armed forces.
Cadets in a drill at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado
A spokesperson for the Air Force Academy said in a statement that the training is intended to prepare cadets for any future conflict.
As part of the Diversity & Inclusion Cadet Leadership Program, this conversation was developed by cadet leaders and USAFA personnel to introduce all cadets to the Department of the Air Force’s definitions of diversity and inclusion, as well as how these concepts enhance our effectiveness. of warfare,” said the spokesman.
The seminar also included a diversity of thinking experiences, requiring cadets to name as many animals as possible that start with “G” and then meet with a group to see how much they could get individually, as opposed to when everyone combined their lists.
Training also suggested that phrases like “colorblind,” “I don’t see color,” and “we’re all just human” are being phased out.
Cadets Salute at a Commencement Ceremony at the United States Air Force in Colorado
Nicknames and jokes aimed at fellow cadets are similarly discouraged, and racist and homophobic statements are strictly prohibited.
“USAFA develops characterful leaders who can lead different teams of Airmen and Guardians, to foster innovation and win future conflicts,” the spokesperson continued in the statement.
Rep. Waltz, however, disagrees.
“For those of us a little older, it reminds us of what the Soviets used to do or what the Chinese do today where they literally have political commissars at every level of the chain of command, but they have a separate reporting chain to make sure that the military adhere to their ideology and their political doctrine,” the congressman said.
FL Rep. Mike Waltz opposing diversity and inclusion training
In 2021, the US Air Force Academy made headlines with the announcement of a diversity and inclusion reading room, specially designated with curated books and described in a release as a ‘treasury of great ideas and a safe space for open discussion’.
“We need to foster an understanding of the challenges of diversity, racism and injustice, promote a wide range of perspectives, and respect those with whom we agree and disagree,” said Mark Jensen, Academy Senate president and philosophy professor. . .
“Our intention is to create an informal space for cadets and regulars to broaden and deepen their exploration of the issues surrounding diversity, inclusion and equity,” said Assistant Professor of English Daniel Couch.
Waltz told FOX News’ Tucker Carlson in a recent interview that he’s been in touch with parents and cadets from the US Air Force Academy about the classes.
“If we’re in the majority, we’re going to legislate this, and we’re going to ban it from the US military,” Waltz added.