The Department of Defense (DOD) formally demanded that it be given another $114 million to fund its next wave of “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” (DEIA) initiatives in the year 2024.
According to Fox News, the Pentagon declared in its Strategic Management Plan for fiscal years 2022 to 2026 that “the FY 2024 President’s Budget request demonstrates the DoD’s commitment to DEIA and includes $114.7 million for dedicated diversity and inclusion activities.”
“This funding across the Military Departments, OSD Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute is investing in programs and initiatives aimed at furthering DEIA,” the statement continues, “and incorporating DEIA values, objectives, and considerations in how we do business and execute our missions.”
This marks the largest funding request yet of this particular kind from the DOD, which previously spent $68 million on DEIA programs in fiscal year 2022, and then spent another $86.5 million on such initiatives in 2023.
“Ultimately, recruiting and retaining a force with diverse backgrounds, thought, experience, expertise, and education enhances DoD’s global joint warfighter capabilities fundamental to all DoD activities,” the document concludes.
However, the Pentagon is facing backlash after the latest reporting confirmed that it failed its sixth consecutive annual audit, reporting more in liabilities than in assets. Out of 29 sub-agencies, only 7 received a clean audit. The DOD reported assets of $3.8 trillion, against liabilities totaling $4 trillion.
The DOD is also continuing to suffer from a recruitment crisis, with multiple branches of the military failing to match annual recruitment quotas. In recent days, the Pentagon has attempted to win back the favor of servicemembers who were discharged for refusing to take the Chinese Coronavirus vaccine.