RestoreTheMilitary.com has published an article alleging that the U.S. Coast Guard Academy leadership is prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives over addressing sexual assault scandals and mission readiness. The announcement was made in a recent article by the platform.
According to Politico, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy came under national scrutiny following the Operation Fouled Anchor investigation, which revealed a decades-long pattern of mishandled or ignored sexual assault allegations by academy officials. Lawmakers from both parties expressed outrage and demanded answers from Coast Guard leadership regarding complaints dating back to the 1980s that had not been adequately addressed. RestoreTheMilitary.com contends that instead of focusing on accountability and justice for victims, academy leadership redirected its attention toward implementing new diversity and inclusion policies.
According to the official U.S. Coast Guard Academy website, Rear Admiral Michael J. Johnston signed a comprehensive Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan covering 2024–2026. This plan emphasizes mandatory cultural competence training, the creation of a diversity leadership minor, and the use of data dashboards to monitor racial and gender diversity. It also requires every athletic department to conduct biannual lessons focused on DEI and highlights affirmative action recruiting goals for cadets, faculty, and staff. RestoreTheMilitary.com claims these policies prioritize “politically correct” reforms over the core mission of protecting the homeland and fail to address safety and accountability concerns at the academy.
As reported by the Associated Press, a group of thirteen former cadets filed suit against the Coast Guard Academy in 2023, alleging years of sexual abuse and cover-ups corroborated by the internal Operation Fouled Anchor probe. The investigation concluded that academy and Coast Guard leadership attempted to conceal the true extent of the problem, leading to widespread bipartisan calls for reform and oversight. RestoreTheMilitary.com argues that efforts to shift institutional focus to diversity and inclusion have left core accountability issues unresolved and further eroded trust in academy leadership.
According to its official About page, Restore The Military is a conservative advocacy and news platform dedicated to exposing progressive social ideology’s influence within the U.S. military, such as DEI and Critical Race Theory. The outlet’s mission centers on promoting leadership, training, and policies reflecting traditional standards of merit, discipline, and readiness. RestoreTheMilitary.com regularly investigates issues affecting service academies with an aim to inform readers who support a focus on national security and operational effectiveness.