GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis on Tuesday pledged to boost military readiness and fix recruiting problems if elected president through policies that focus on merit and nonpartisanship.
DeSantis’ plan takes aim at diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies and perceptions of politicization infesting all ranks of the U.S. military, arguing such priorities have come at the expense of readiness. Announcing the agenda at an event in Columbia, South Carolina, the 2024 GOP hopeful promised to “rip the woke out of the military” and restore what he said he believes is a lost sense of patriotism and unity.
DeSantis’ plan includes getting rid of diversity and inclusion administrative personnel within each military service branch and canceling the major DEI programs and reviews, such as the Racial Disparity Review.