"Pentagon rolls out equity plan" Topic

Is this what we want the military concentrating on right now in a period of world crises? Does it make sense? Promotions based on the race, gender or sexual orientation box you press? Military decisions based on the same thing?

I thought this forum the correct one, since it effects our military and the time militarily is so dire.

If you disagree, why? If you disagree, why?

Subject: Pentagon rolls out 'equity' plan


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Bill if you think this should be in the lounge, feel free to move it there.

If in theory you wanted to weaken your military in the face of crisis you might do that.

Link didn't work for me, but you can search FOX to get the article.

I'm not a fan of equity programs. Always a believer in equality of opportunity. Other than calling it an equity action plan, I didn't see equity items in the news article, just more of trying to increase under-represented minorities in supply chain, more involvement in education programs (but why are they doing that vs Dept of Education?), etc.

So, nothing really new. I would be strongly opposed to having accessions, promotions, etc. be dependent on race, gender, sexual orientation. That is destructive of morale, good order and discipline!

Bringing American military effectiveness and "leadership" down to the level of the worst-lead Russian units in Ukraine currently.

Brilliant "strategy"!

Stupidity is rampant, sadly.

Thresher01,

Bang on, Sir!

"Thoroughly Modern Milley" is, knowingly or not, doing his PC bit to eliminate merit as the basis for success.

TVAG

Sure glad I retired (Army) 14 years ago!!

It is as good a strategy as the "Ring-knockers Peter Principle."

Another case of a provocative headline to cause outrage rather than a considered analysis of the details.
It seems that the Pentagon announced that they will seek to rearrange the supply chain to open opportunities for underserved communities. It will also bolster a variety of programs aimed at assisting those same communities in the area of military bases.

Opening opportunities (not awarding business, but allowing underserved communities to compete for the business), doesn't seem hugely controversial to me. The increased competition may even lead to cost reduction and maybe spark innovation. But that's just my opinion with my radical free market thinking.

I'm hoping the next administration stops this crap before too much damage is done. There will have to be a through cleansing from the top on down. You can substitute "purging" for "cleansing" if you wish.

I want the supply chain to be handled by the most competent as well. That goes for every level, from the big corporations down. Way too much incompetence at the top right now, including the DoD. Race, sex, religion, or gender identity really doesn't matter to those on the front lines who need their gear to work.

They want equity, then give it to'em but good. If/when it comes down to being sent into the front lines, they won't have any excuse to be excused because of belonging to some 'special' category; EVERYBODY gets thrown into the fight…

(That's sarcasm, if it's not obvious… ;-)

Zephyr1 But would that not be true equity? White, black, red, yellow, gay, straight, man, woman, other, rich, poor. No College deferment. Best way to determine which officers should be advanced. Not the perfect system, but better than the proposed one or the current one. Of course in peace time that option does not exist.

I am actually for Re-instituting a two year draft for all. 2 years of training and into reserves for so many years. Again NO College deferment. Similar to some other countries today. That I am sure is as popular as a 100% tax rate.

So now other companies can get an equal chance to gouge the military for overpriced goods, good for all. How about the best product available be the priority?

investments in K-12 and K-20 programs.

That's funny, I thought the DoD's job was to defend the country, usually by killing people and blowing things up, not running school programs. Yes I understand DoD wastes a lot of money on things not needed by them, especially when there's a different government group that does the same thing, oh maybe Dept of Education?

Well, I could be wrong, but I don't see it really improving combat readiness, etc. My experience as an Infantry officer, '79-'90. Tells me training warfighters to effectively operate in a combat situation has little to do with woke concepts like equity, diversity, etc. Are the Russian, PRC/CCP, Iran, etc. concerned with such things ? Yes we are not like them in many, many ways. However, "know your enemy" … and know yourself", etc.

Opening opportunities (not awarding business, but allowing underserved communities to compete for the business), doesn't seem hugely controversial to me. The increased competition may even lead to cost reduction and maybe spark innovation.

I remember if we needed some outside support we'd have to put the requirements out for bids. If the need for those requirements continued, we'd have to put the bids out yearly.

E.g. Our CBT SPT Bn had it's own Rough Terrain Fork Lifts. But in garrison they thought having another standard forklift would help with daily log/maint functions in the motor pool, etc. Only to be used in non field type ops. Increasing efficiency, etc., etc.

We didn't call it "equity" … just fulfilling a requirement to doing the job better, etc. Just like a business …

So they don't do that anymore ?

As far as diversity … our RT Forklifts were painted camo. The civilian fork lift was yellow, IIRC. 🤔 But there was some thing that was not equal … the yellow fork lift had to stay in the motor pool in garrison. Could not go to the field … like all the camo fork lifts …

Not really much here, as others have said. Opportunity is fine, but promotion should all be by merit. Peoples' lives are at stake, find the best people whoever they are. If you do this and provide an equal chance, opportunity is solved.

I want procurement reformed. I do not blame the contractors, the military has jerked them around for years. When will this get addressed? I don't care as much about these side bar training programs as I do about the Little Crappy Ship program or the F35 production ordeal. This is where we are losing the most headway,IMO, and it has gone on for decades, longer maybe.

I know there are people here with stories from the defense industry who can talk about the military and constant spec changes, no clear mission, poor decision making process, lack of vision in the upper ranks. Maybe the merit opportunity concept needs to run all the way to the top. Of course some contractors may gouge, it's a huge system.

But we need new leaders who can command procurement and logistics for maximum impact, coordinate evolving strategic needs with production and training in a way that stays focused. I don't care about a couple of hours of woke training as much as I do about towing ships with defective gears into port. On a regular basis.

Opportunity is fine, but promotion should all be by merit. Peoples' lives are at stake, find the best people whoever they are. If you do this and provide an equal chance, opportunity is solved.

Bingo !!!! That should relate to the political world as well as the military …

"But would that not be true equity?"

It would never work that way. To paraphrase Animal Farm "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." I'm all for meritocracy, but the reality is that political favoritism will position itself to be the one telling everybody else what to do, while avoiding all risks to itself…

So yes, it would be true equity, but politics and money in combo will always override. I agree.

Equity is not equality. Equality is not equity.

Equity can only be achieved if it is enforced continuously.

Is that the world we want?

This needs to be repeated.

I believe he was using it as: "The quality of Being fair and Impartial"

No, it is definitely NOT the world we want, but it IS the world far too many in power are working to create, with predictable and devastating consequences.

I'll just leave this here.

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That wasn't a current headline?? 😉

Wow !!! That sounds like a real horror story !!!

Yep, brilliant short story by Vonnegut.

Those who want to believe racism is rampant and the dominant issue in the US, and white supremists the greatest threat to our nation, will continue to believe it no matter what evidence otherwise. It's all they have. Those of us who disagree, will continue to do so.

Subject: Former Army Ranger discusses what he learned about racism in the military after 15 tours in Iraq, Afghanistan


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I obviously have said and seen similar with my time in the Army, '79-'90. Plus before as an ROTC Cadet, '75-'79 & USAR '91. Generally, our color was green then later camo. You have more important things to do than looking for racism and white supremacy, etc. As IMO very little was/is there.

Agree Legion. The soldiers do, the politicians don't. The bottom line is always votes, or perceived votes.

👍👍

C'mon 2024.

Because it will be different?

Yes, IMO and many, many others … And should start in 2022, later this year …

🙏

The leadership crisis is too serious and persistent across the board, IMO.

We are not producing a range of people committed to public service who can inspire significant trust and demonstrate ability that is orientated away from personal gain and power. This is leaving us with no viable political solution to our dysfunctional government. Personal integrity makes it too difficult to win elections. Candidates have to cut too many deals. We struggle to attract and retain people of character in public life.

The stalemate will just shift to the other side again.

We are fortunate to have some forward momentum in the private sector, including leadership and innovation. We may move forward in spite of ourselves. The focus there will overshadow the standstill in DC. I hope.

Tort are you Applauding Elon Musk's proposed take over of Twitter with that private sector remark? I concur! 😉

Subject: Air Force launches 'safe space' for airmen


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