Rep.Torres and Rep. Min Sound the Alarm on Dangers of Cutting Civilian Faculty at Service Academies
Letter warns that reducing diversity in military education jeopardizes readiness and global leadership capabilities
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres and Congressman Dave Min sent a letter to Secretaries Hegseth, Noem, and Duffy raising urgent concerns about reported plans to cut civilian faculty positions at U.S. service academies. These reductions would limit diversity of thought, impairing the ability of military officers to effectively lead in a rapidly changing world.
The letter follows alarming reports that the Department of Defense, under the influence of an executive order, is seeking to replace civilian instructors with military personnel. These changes come amid ongoing efforts to limit diversity in the armed forces, including disturbing moves like the banning of books at the Naval Academy and the suspension of courses that promote intellectual diversity.
"We cannot afford to narrow the diversity of ideas that shape our future leaders," said Congresswoman Norma Torres. "Our service academies must remain places where critical thinking thrives—where students engage with different perspectives and ideas that challenge their thinking. Cutting civilian faculty members, who bring specialized knowledge and institutional memory, undermines that mission."
"The idea that the military should avoid exposure to diverse viewpoints is not just short-sighted—it’s dangerous," Congresswoman Torres continued. "Military leaders must be able to think critically, understand complex global dynamics, and lead diverse teams. Cutting civilian faculty will harm that essential preparation."
“Cutting civilian faculty members will eviscerate our ability to effectively train the next generation of military leaders,” said Rep. Min. “It is essential that military officers can think critically and understand differing perspectives in order to respond to ever-evolving threats. Depriving future leaders of these opportunities will only hurt our national defense and military readinesses.”
Congresswoman Torres and Congressman Min are calling on leaders to reassess these plans and to ensure that the quality of education at service academies remains intact. Urging full transparency and answers on how these staffing changes will impact academic quality, cadet outcomes, and the critical development of military leaders.
Cosigned by: André Carson, Jim Costa, Robert Garcia, Steven Horsford, Henry Johnson, Robin Kelly, Eleanor Norton, Marilyn Strickland, Suhas Subramanyam , Bennie Thompson, Paul Tonko, Marc Veasey
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