America's defenders deserve 'safe spaces'?Steve Jordahl (AFN.net) A member of Congress who has served in the military admits he's embarrassed that the U.S. Air Force is going woke and setting up "safe spaces" where airmen and women can communicate with their leaders without their well-being feeling threatened. Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Joanne Bass and USAF Chief of Staff General Charles Brown are establishing what they're calling "Airmen's Time," where brass will routinely create opportunities for personal and professional growth and to foster closer bonds. "The intent of Airmen's Time is to create a safe space, be present, and ensure that our Air Force culture invites healthy conversation for every Airman … anytime, anywhere," reads a memo from Bass and Brown that was recently sent to commanders. "[B]uilding trust and belonging is never a one-time event – it is a daily commitment to those we serve," the memo continues. "To further advance this cultural shift, leaders at every level are entrusted to prioritize time to elevate connection, growth, and enhance the well-being of individual Airmen while building unity within teams." 
Navy Reserve officer and Congressman Jim Banks (R-Indiana) told Fox News this isn't the military he signed up for. "When I put on the uniform and served my country – [in fact,] everyone I know who served in uniform – we did that to defend and protect America," he shared. "When you wear the uniform, you endanger yourself to make America safe," he continued. "That's the opposite of a safe space. You go to basic training or boot camp to make you tough, to put you in stressful situations – and creating safe spaces is exactly the opposite." It's likely that Banks, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, will be bringing this up at an upcoming hearing. "I am embarrassed for all of the extraordinary men and women I know who joined the Air Force to serve, to defend, and to protect America … to see stories like this, [and to see] that their leaders are imposing such a ridiculous concept on the Air Force that is antithetical to everything that we stand for." |
The Defense Department's mission has always been to ensure that service members are ready to win any wars in which America's armed forces are involved. However, along with all other departments of Biden's administration, the DOD has issued an equity report that aims to equalize outcomes for employees and their partners based on racial, sexual, and gender criteria.
Fox News reports that the DOD document offers a series of plans moving forward that "will identify potential barriers that underserved communities and individuals face regarding Federal programs."
During a recent appearance on American Family Radio, Gary Bauer of the Campaign for Working Families said the United States military has led the way over the years in molding people of various ethnic backgrounds into a cohesive fighting force that has been built on the idea of accomplishment.
"That's how you move up the ranks," he submits. "You distinguish yourself; you do better than anybody else. And in a time of war, you distinguish yourself in war through your bravery and your courage. When that happens, people in our military get moved up regardless of the color of their skin."
Bauer's criticism does not stand alone. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), for example, recently blasted Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for being too concerned with "wokeism" and not focusing enough on military strategy. Gaetz pointed out that the U.S. military is behind China and Russia in developing hypersonic weapon systems and added that "while everyone else in the world seems to be developing capabilities and being more strategic, we got time to embrace critical race theory at West Point, to embrace socialism at the National Defense University, to do mandatory pronoun training."
During a House Armed Services Committee hearing earlier this month, Gaetz stated that he saw that the Obama administration "tried to destroy our military by starving it of resources. And it seems the Biden administration is trying to destroy our military by force-feeding it wokeism."
Bauer likens this new policy to nothing more than a quota system.
"If 12% of the population is one particular ethnic group, then 12% of the leaders have to be of that ethnic group, even if you can't reach that number by just basing your decisions on accomplishments or performance," he explains.
Bauer also points out that is being pushed at a time when the country is facing greater military challenges than ever faced in modern times.
"This is a dangerous brew that they are mixing up here," he concludes.
4/21/2022 - Sidebar added.
