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In an Aug. 9, 2022, memo, U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall directed Air Force and Space Force officials to develop a plan to meet diversity goals in recruiting officer applicants.
The goals were for 67.5% of officer applicants to be white and the rest minorities.
The goals “will not be used in any manner that undermines our merit-based processes,” the memo said.
Republican U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, who represents part of eastern Wisconsin, included the memo in a statement he issued March 19, 2024.
Grothman’s statement claimed that the memo ordered cutting “white males serving by 33%.”
The memo did not order reductions.
Data cited by Grothman’s office did not show that the goals would reduce white males serving by 33%.
As of Dec. 31, 2023, 76.1% of Air Force and Space Force officers were men and 69% of all members were white.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
U.S. Air Force: Officer Source of Commission Applicant Pool Goals
Air Force Times: Air Force leaders set new goals to diversify officer corps
U.S. Rep. Grothman: U.S. Rep. Grothman: Statement on DEI agenda in the military
Google Docs: U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman emails
Air Force: Military Demographics
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