DeSantis criticizes military for being ‘woke’ and adopting ‘DEI’ and ‘political ideologies’.

Gov. Ron DeSantis Promises Big Changes to Military

“People don’t want to join a ‘woke’ military.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has promised significant changes to the military if he becomes president in 2024. In a recent Memorial Day interview on Fox News, the Republican presidential hopeful highlighted his military service and criticized “woke” policies and political ideologies that he believes are driving soldiers away.

Decline in Military Recruitment

DeSantis noted that while the United States has a great Constitution and Declaration of Independence, these values “don’t run on autopilot.” He pointed to the decline in military recruitment in recent times, with Army Secretary Christine Wormuth stating that the Army fell short of its recruiting goals last year by around 15,000 people. The other branches had to use delayed entry applicants to meet their quota last year, according to ArmyTimes.

Fixing the Recruiting Problem

Wormuth has made fixing the recruiting problem the No. 1 priority for the Army this year. DeSantis has been critical of the military’s current state, stating that “woke” policies and political ideologies have caused recruiting to plummet.

Honoring Those Who Gave Their Lives

DeSantis spoke at a veteran memorial in Jacksonville, Florida, on Memorial Day to honor those who gave their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the sacrifices that people have made throughout history, stating that “we would not be free people without those sacrifices.”

It remains to be seen whether DeSantis will become president in 2024 and make good on his promises to change the military. However, his anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion agenda has certainly sparked controversy and debate.