A newly released set of documents reveals previously undisclosed details of a 2022 diversity training program at one of the U.S. Air Force’s highest-level testing centers, sparking criticism over its content and intent.
According to the Daily Caller, the materials, released through a public records request, show how the Air Force Test Center implemented diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training and hosted related events under the Biden administration, drawing concerns from some over military readiness.
The documents were obtained by the Center to Advance Security in America, or CASA, through a Freedom of Information Act request and included a 2022 PowerPoint presentation used as part of the training. This presentation was developed and distributed at the Air Force Test Center (AFTC), a command charged with evaluating new technology critical to national defense.
The AFTC plays a pivotal role within the Air Force by testing and validating cutting-edge combat systems, flight capabilities, and technological innovations that shape the country's air superiority initiatives. According to the materials, the DEI training was distributed to personnel within this mission-critical division. Slides from the documents included terminology and statements commonly associated with DEI philosophies, including references to racial and societal privilege, institutional inequality, and diversity as a driver for innovation. One slide claimed that American society “discriminates against groups and an individual because of class, race, gender, and sexual orientation.”
Critics Say Training Hurt Military Readiness
CASA criticized the material, arguing that such rhetoric is inappropriate and detrimental in a national defense setting. James Fitzpatrick, director of CASA, voiced concern that introducing these topics into military training undermines core values and mission focus.
“CASA has uncovered yet another example of disgraceful attempted DEI indoctrination by the Air Force during the Biden Administration,” Fitzpatrick said in a statement to the Daily Caller News Foundation. He added that such messaging weakens overall morale and divides service members. “Presenting to Airmen that the United States is institutionally racist and that DEI is something to live on a daily basis hurts morale, recruiting, and drives apart our great men and women in the Air Force,” Fitzpatrick said. “It makes them less ready to protect the homeland.”
Edwards and Eglin Bases Also Hosted DEI Events
Further records released to CASA included information about other DEI-related efforts across the Air Force. Celebratory events and community-building activities connected to DEI were held at additional bases, including Edwards and Eglin Air Force Bases. Examples of these events included a "PRIDE 5K color run," community "Pride Coffee Talks," and interactive trivia nights focusing on LGBTQ+ themes. The documents did not provide the number of personnel who participated or how these events were publicized internally.
While supporters of DEI frameworks often cite such programs as essential for cultivating inclusivity and preventing discrimination, critics argue that politicized language may interfere with military objectives and staff cohesion.
Slide Content Highlights Ideological Themes
Among the controversial content presented in the AFTC materials was a message stating, “diversity is key to innovation,” and “equity is critical to force readiness.” These ideas align with progressive views on organizational improvement but are criticized by some as unrelated to combat preparedness.
Fitzpatrick pointed to the recent policy shifts at the Department of Defense level and praised efforts under the Trump administration to steer away from such content. “Thankfully, the Trump administration has ended these divisive DEI policies,” Fitzpatrick said, “and turned the focus in our military back to strength, readiness, and lethality.” The Air Force was considered one of the most proactive military branches in adopting DEI initiatives during the Biden presidency. However, these documents signal continued debate over whether such policies support or hinder the central mission of the U.S. military.
Air Force Has Yet To Comment Publicly
The Daily Caller News Foundation reported that the U.S. Air Force has not issued a formal response to the documents or the criticism raised by CASA. Requests for comment from the branch have so far gone unanswered.
Meanwhile, broader scrutiny of the Department of Defense’s DEI policies continues among lawmakers. In a congressional hearing on September 28, 2023, U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall addressed various issues affecting the Air Force and the basing of U.S. Space Command, though DEI was not the primary focus of that session. Republican lawmakers and defense-focused think tanks have repeatedly voiced concern over perceived ideological shifts in the military under the Biden administration, arguing that emphasis on social issues may come at the expense of operational preparedness.
Ongoing Debate Over Military DEI Programs
These recently released documents are the latest to surface in a series of FOIA-based disclosures pertaining to DEI practices across the military. Discussions remain heated as policymakers and watchdogs debate the place of social policy in national defense infrastructure. Although DEI’s proponents argue that diversity brings new perspectives to problem-solving and innovation, its critics continue to question whether such initiatives should play a role in combat-ready environments where unity and focus are critical.
As the national conversation over DEI in federal institutions continues, the military stands at an inflection point between legacy culture, modern expectations, and the practical demands of national security readiness.
