In the article "D.E.I. Will Not Be Missed" from The New York Times, the author critiques the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) policies on military standards and performance. While acknowledging that integrating women into combat roles has had positive outcomes, the article argues that the pursuit of equity in outcomes has led to lowered physical fitness standards, which compromises military effectiveness. Examples include the Army's revised Combat Fitness Test, where pass rates for women are notably lower than for men, and the Navy's decision to relax fitness criteria amidst a recruitment crisis. The author contends that these changes reflect a broader trend of prioritizing diversity over merit, ultimately undermining the military's core objective of readiness and lethality.

Key Points:

• Obama's 2015 policy allowed women to serve in all combat roles without changing physical standards.
• Over 140 women have successfully completed elite military training, but standards have been eroded.
• The Army's gender-neutral fitness test showed a significant disparity in pass rates between men (92%) and women (52%).
• The Biden administration faced pressure to modify the test standards to avoid disadvantaging any groups.
• The Navy and other military branches have similarly relaxed fitness standards to promote diversity.
• The article questions the fundamental purpose of the military in light of D.E.I. policies, positing that they can compromise military effectiveness and safety.
• The author suggests the need for the military to focus on merit and performance over diversity initiatives.
  Link to Article