Morning Wire A Roadmap to Fixing America’s Service Academies | Sunday Extra
Jan 14, 2024
U.S. service academies are struggling to produce a sufficient number of officers while increasingly adopting progressive policies. A former Naval Academy professor sheds light on the negative impact of recent admissions changes and diversity initiatives. The discussion emphasizes the crucial need for effective leadership and cultural reforms within the military academies. Embracing critical thinking over conformity is essential for preparing future leaders to navigate complex challenges.
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Declining Relevance and High Cost
- Service academies’ relevance has decreased, producing fewer officers.
- Their taxpayer-funded cost per graduate is high, roughly four times that of ROTC officers.
Adapting to External Changes
- Service academies have adopted external changes like admitting women and broader curricula.
- However, they maintain strict control, creating tension as they become more like civilian colleges.
Personal Backlash
- Bruce Fleming faced backlash for criticizing the academies, including reprimands and firing.
- He objected to practices like lowering admission standards for certain racial groups.
