‘Diversity wins wars, the new US Army motto?’ Introducing your new chief diversity officer

The U.S. Army’s chief diversity officer intends to root out extremism in the ranks as part of the ongoing pro-diversity efforts. According to Col. Timothy Holman, “extremism can tear apart cohesive teams” and has no place in the military, regardless of the form it takes.

Each soldier is now required to undergo Threat Awareness and Reporting Program training as part of this anti-extremist program. The Army has also launched a Project Inclusion initiative “to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion across the force while building cohesive teams,” the Army News Service reported. Among other things, the Army is also implementing the ISALUTE program as a reporting mechanism for suspicious behavior that has extremist overtones.

“The Army’s policy bans all personnel from participating in extremist organizations and activities, Holman said. Organizations and activities in which personnel are prohibited from participating include those that advocate, among other things: racial intolerance or discrimination; use of force to deprive individuals of their constitutional rights; and advocating or teaching the overthrow of the U.S. government,” the news outlet explained.

The colonel added that “My hope is to ensure better representation of our country among the senior ranks.”

Critics would likely argue that there is little or no evidence of extremism, however it is defined, in the military. One of new Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s stated goals, though, is to rid the military of racists and extremists which subsequently prompted a 60-day stand down to address extremism service-wide.

In recent days, Tucker Carlson made headlines when he chastised the Pentagon under Joe Biden for seemingly being more concerned with identity politics than making sure that U.S. fighting forces continue to be up to the challenge of protecting America, especially as China continues to aggressively extend its influence around the world.

Tucker doubles down after critics blast him for calling out ‘openly political’ military leaders https://t.co/MD25qPbsWw pic.twitter.com/Go76TS9LPi

— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) March 12, 2021

In any organization, military or civilian, promotions are sometimes handed out on the basis of politics or for other, similar reasons. But it appears that the Army may be applying additional levels of bureaucracy that are unrelated to combat readiness.

Many on Twitter were highly skeptical that cohesiveness or unity will be the end result. Here is a sampling:

In the good old days the priority and only task of the military was to protect the people.

I don’t care about the skin tones of soldiers and generals, nor their sexual preferences.

I only care about their abilities and commitment to protect the people!

— Erik Terwan (@ErikTerwan1) March 15, 2021

This is idiotic. The military is not a social experiment

— Obi_1_D_AllKnowing (@obiopiah) March 16, 2021

I liked our quiet professionals military much better than our whiny wake snowflakes military.

— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) March 15, 2021

Why on earth does the army need a diversity officer

— Megazed101 (@Real_Megazed101) March 16, 2021

Left wing extremism is what is tearing apart military cohesiveness. Concentrate on that.

— Scott (@MIScott68) March 13, 2021

Diversity wins wars, the new army motto.

Focus on the bad guys, not this

— Colin Lundstrom (@ColinLundstrom) March 16, 2021

A woke Army. Just what we need.

How does having a Chief Diversity Officer make the Army a better fighting force?

Happy for anyone to be able to join the military, which has a proud history of giving jobs and social advancement to minorities.
But the bogus cult of diversity for diversity’s sake is what can tear apart cohesive teams, and Col Holman should be found a useful job to do.

— Garth Godsman (@GarthGodsman) March 16, 2021

I remember when the Army’s mission was Combat Readiness

Now it’s: Woke Readiness

— The #1 Vato (@The1Vato1) March 16, 2021

Race was never an issue when I served. I doubt it is now until those in charge make it one.

— Supr Squirrel (@SuprSquirrel) March 16, 2021