The United States Air Force Academy is training its cadets to "use inclusive language" that bars them from calling people "terrorists" or using male and female identifiers, according to an official presentation being used by the elite military school and obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
The presentation, titled, "Diversity & Inclusion: What It Is, Why We Care, & What We Can Do," takes cadets through a series of exercises meant to eradicate their use of gender pronouns and reinforce the need for inclusive language that avoids "stereotypes, bias, and microaggressions." One portion of the presentation tells cadets to avoid language such as "you guys," "terrorists," and "colorblind."
The seminar is part of a larger push by the U.S. military and its supporting institutions to foster what it describes as a more culturally inclusive environment, an effort that critics say is part of a woke cultural agenda being pushed by the Democratic Party’s far-left flank. The U.S. Pacific Air Forces, the branch tasked with confronting China, recently ordered its senior leaders and commanders to stop using gender pronouns in written formats. The U.S. Navy recently published a video instructing its sailors on proper gender pronouns. The Army also mandates gender identity training and trains officers on when to offer subordinates gender-transition surgery.
The Air Force Academy’s seminar mirrors many of the efforts taking place in the military and also at U.S. college campuses across the country. One portion of the course instructs cadets on the proper way to use "inclusive language" in everyday scenarios. The presentation materials say that "diversity and inclusion" are "critical to developing warfighters prepared to lead the" U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force (USSF) "with character."
An Academy spokesman told the Free Beacon this "conversation" with cadets was developed as part of its "Diversity & Inclusion Cadet Leadership Program."
"As part of the Diversity & Inclusion Cadet Leadership Program, this conversation was developed by cadet leaders and USAFA staff to introduce all cadets to Department of the Air Force definitions of diversity and inclusion, as well as how these concepts enhance our warfighting effectiveness," the spokesman said. "USAFA develops leaders of character that can lead diverse teams of Airmen and Guardians inclusively, to enhance innovation and win future conflict."
"It is the diversity of Airmen and Guardians coming from all corners of our nation who perform the Department of the Air Force’s hundreds of critical mission sets that make us the best, most innovative Air and Space Forces the world has ever known," the spokesman said.
The presentation materials echo this sentiment.
"A diverse and inclusive force is a warfighting imperative!" according to the presentation. "Our USAF/USSF faces a complex environment and tackles ‘wicked,’ complex problems."
"What do people call themselves?" the instruction asks. "When in doubt, ask."
It also guides cadets to "include all genders" in their interactions: "’Y’all/Team/Squaddies/Everyone/Folks’ vs. ‘you guys.’"
Certain words should be avoided at all costs, according to the presentation. "Not The ‘N’, ‘R’, or ‘F’ words, nor ‘Terrorist’ (for nationality; it happened)," one slide states.
Other words and phrases to avoid using include, "'colorblind’ or ‘I don’t see color’ or ‘we're all just people.’" Also verboten are "jokes at subordinate’s expense (nicknames)."
Cadets should only use "‘person-centered’ language,’" such as "people with disabilities," and not "the disabled."
The presentation continues with several other examples, such as using, "'Transgender people/service members’ vs. ‘Transgenders.’"
It also is important to "recognize diverse family formation," such as, "‘Parents/Caregivers/Guardians’ instead of ‘Mom and Dad.’"
"Most importantly," the course says, "model humility when you get it wrong."
Several exercises also are included in the presentation because "conversations are often not easy; we will navigate the discomfort together."
Cadets are instructed to compile a list of animals that start with the letter "G." After the exercise, they are asked: "How many G-Animals did you generate as an individual? How many G-Animals did your class/squadron generate? What does this activity show us about the power of combining our diverse perspectives?"
"If this were an operational USAF/USSF challenge," it continues, "what risks might be present if we did not fully leverage the diversity of our group?"
The entire presentation can be seen below.
D&I 07 Sept 22 Training_copy (1) by Washington Free Beacon on Scribd