Florida Congressman Cory Mills, an Army veteran, is spearheading an initiative to abolish the Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. Mills argues that the committee, established through a 2021 executive order by President Biden, has undermined military strength by prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) over combat readiness.

Mills asserts that the military's emphasis on DEI initiatives has diverted attention from crucial areas like enhancing lethality and ensuring troops are adequately equipped. He expressed concern that the focus on identity politics has weakened the armed forces, citing feedback from contacts still serving in the military and at military academies.

Mills' amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) seeks to disband the committee by September 14, 2024. It also mandates a report from the Secretary of Defense to Congress within 90 days of the bill's passage, detailing the benefits of DEI programs to military strength. Mills contends that the emphasis on DEI has created internal divisions and negatively impacted recruitment and retention rates.

Rep. Cory Mills (left) and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. (Getty Images)

Mills, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, criticizes what he terms "woke" military policies, asserting that adversaries like China and Russia are focused on military preparedness, not identity politics. He argues that the current focus on DEI will lead to historically low recruitment and retention, hindering the military's ability to address emerging threats.

A U.S. armed forces recruiting station. (Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images/File)

This amendment is part of a larger Republican effort to counter DEI initiatives within the military. Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) highlighted other successful amendments to the NDAA, including slashing DEI bureaucratic positions, prohibiting race and gender quotas in recruitment and promotions, and reinstating service members discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. He also mentioned provisions to defund critical race theory training at military academies and end drag shows on military bases.

Rep. Cory Mills. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images)

Banks aims to expand this effort beyond the military, incorporating it into other legislative initiatives like appropriations bills and the farm bill. He believes that every federal agency should be free from what he considers a "woke" agenda.

The ongoing military recruiting crisis has sparked debate, with each side blaming the other. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth attributes the crisis, in part, to criticism of "woke" policies within the military. Mills, however, contends that the leadership is deflecting blame by shifting the focus from the COVID-19 pandemic to critics of DEI initiatives. He cited an instance where millions were spent on studies of white supremacy within the military, yielding very few actual cases, highlighting his concern about responsible use of taxpayer funds. Mills maintains that it is the military leadership, not the critics, who are politicizing the issue by promoting a specific agenda.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (left) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark Milley.