I'm a Black, Gay Veteran: DEI Is Destroying Our Military. Pete Hegseth Can Make It Great Again | Opinion

As a Black, gay veteran of the U.S. Army’s Fourth Infantry Division and recipient of the Combat Infantry Badge, I have witnessed firsthand how the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) agenda, introduced under President Barack Obama and accelerated by President Joe Biden, has significantly weakened our armed forces. Many Americans are unaware of the extent of this damage. However, there is hope on the horizon: Pete Hegseth’s military background, his advocacy for veterans, and his communication skills honed through years at Fox News make him an ideal choice for Secretary of Defense.

A major turning point came with the 2011 repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell," the law barring openly gay and lesbian individuals from serving in the military. While I opposed this unjust policy and even protested by chaining myself to the White House fence during Obama’s first term, the initial push to make the military more inclusive has now morphed into a harmful mix of wokeness, deteriorating standards, and political leadership spreading far-left ideology.

In the military, soldiers of different races and backgrounds come together to accomplish a common mission. Yet, under the Biden administration, racial division has been exacerbated. For instance, in February 2021, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered a “one-day stand down” to address extremism, with a particular focus on alleged white nationalism in the ranks. General Mark Milley defended teaching Critical Race Theory (CRT) at U.S. military academies and stated it was crucial to national security that taxpayer funds be used to educate service members about CRT and “white rage.”

This isn't limited to racial issues. The Department of Defense Education Agency, responsible for operating schools for military families, has also been influenced by the DEI agenda. Kelisa Wing, a former DODEA official, was known for making controversial statements on race and publishing a book on "white privilege" before being reassigned.

The military’s focus on these divisive ideologies has also opened the door for the LGBT agenda. In 2021, the U.S. Army released a recruitment ad featuring an active-duty soldier raised by two lesbians, which sparked widespread mockery. In 2023, the U.S. Navy appointed a drag queen, Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, as a “Digital Ambassador,” continuing the trend of prioritizing woke causes over military readiness.

While DEI proponents argue that this vision of inclusion strengthens the military, I strongly disagree. My race and sexuality never impacted my ability to perform as an Army infantryman, and the same was true for my fellow soldiers. I believe that focusing on these differences within the context of military service disrupts unit cohesion, making it harder for soldiers to work together.

We need a shift in direction, and that’s where Pete Hegseth comes in. I’ve known Pete for years as a Fox News commentator and as a friend and mentor. He has always been supportive, asking for my input on military issues and respecting me as a fellow veteran. Pete believes, as I do, that the most important identity is that of a proud American. When we focus on this shared identity, our military will become stronger, and its diversity will naturally reflect the breadth of our nation’s people.

Democratic senators who oppose Pete’s nomination will not like his blunt critique of how the woke DEI agenda has harmed the military. But this directness is necessary. Pete’s service in veteran organizations, his Bronze Star, and his years of communication experience through live television all make him uniquely qualified to lead the Department of Defense. It is crucial that senators recognize this and confirm him so that America’s military can once again be strong, unified, and ready to face the challenges ahead.