An oversight hearing to examine the status of the Military Service Academies.

1[Senate Hearing 119-159]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34                                                        S. Hrg. 119-15956                THE STATUS OF MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMIES78=======================================================================910                                HEARING1112                               BEFORE THE1314                            SUBCOMMITTEE ON15                               PERSONNEL1617                                 OF THE1819                      COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES20                          UNITED STATES SENATE2122                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS2324                             FIRST SESSION2526                               __________2728                             MARCH 26, 20252930                               __________3132         Printed for the use of the Committee on Armed Services3334[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]3536                 Available via: http://www.govinfo.gov3738                                __________3940                   U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE4161-564 PDF                  WASHINGTON : 20254243-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------4445                      COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES4647          	ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi, Chairman4849 DEB FISCHER, Nebraska			JACK REED, Rhode Island50 TOM COTTON, Arkansas			JEANNE SHAHEEN, New Hampshire51 MIKE ROUNDS, South Dakota		KIRSTEN E. GILLIBRAND, New York52 JONI ERNST, Iowa			RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut53 DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska			MAZIE K. HIRONO, Hawaii54 KEVIN CRAMER, North Dakota		TIM KAINE, Virginia55 RICK SCOTT, Florida			ANGUS S. KING, Jr., Maine56 TOMMY TUBERVILLE, Alabama		ELIZABETH WARREN, Massachusetts57 MARKWAYNE MULLIN, Oklahoma	        GARY C. PETERS, Michigan58 TED BUDD, North Carolina		TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois59 ERIC SCHMITT, Missouri			JACKY ROSEN, Nevada60 JIM BANKS, INDIANA			MARK KELLY, Arizona61 TIM SHEEHY, MONTANA                  	ELISSA SLOTKIN, MICHIGAN6263 		   John P. Keast, Staff Director64 		Elizabeth L. King, Minority Staff Director6566_________________________________________________________________6768                       Subcommittee on Personnel6970    TOMMY TUBERVILLE, Alabama,71             Chairman72JONI K. ERNST, Iowa		ELIZABETH WARREN, Massachusetts73RICK SCOTT, Florida		RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut74TED BUDD, North Carolina 	MAZIE K. HIRONO, Hawaii75                                TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois7677                                  (ii)7879                            C O N T E N T S8081_________________________________________________________________8283                             march 26, 20258485                                                                   Page8687The Status of Military Service Academies.........................     18889                           Members Statements9091Statement of Senator Tommy Tuberville............................     19293Statement of Senator Elizabeth Warren............................     29495                           Witness Statements9697Gilland, Lieutenant General Steven W., USA, Superintendent of the     598  United States Military Academy, United States Army.99100Davids, Vice Admiral Yvette M., USN, Superintendent of the United    15101  States Naval Academy, United States Navy.102103Bauernfeind, Lieutenant General Tony D., USAF, Superintendent of     32104  the United States Air Force Academy, United States Air Force.105106Appendix.........................................................    76107108                                 (iii)109110                THE STATUS OF MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMIES111112                              ----------113114                       WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2025115116                      United States Senate,117                         Subcommittee on Personnel,118                               Committee on Armed Services,119                                                    Washington, DC.120    The Subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:30 p.m., in121room SR-222, Russell Senate Office Building, Senator Tommy122Tuberville (Chairman of the Subcommittee) presiding.123    Committee Members present: Tuberville, Scott, Budd, Warren,124Reed, Blumenthal, and Hirono.125    Also present: Senator Sullivan.126127         OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE128129    Senator Tuberville. I would like to call this Committee130hearing in session. The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on131Personnel meets this afternoon to conduct oversight and receive132testimony on the status of the Military Service Academies.133Thank you for being here.134    The last time this body conducted a hearing on this topic135with these witnesses, or with any witnesses with the academies,136was more than 30 years ago. We are fortunate to have these137three distinguished officers here today: Lieutenant General138Steven Gilland, U.S. Military Academy; Vice Admiral Yvette139Davids of the Naval Academy; and Lieutenant General Tony----140    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Bauernfeind, sir.141    Senator Tuberville.----Bauernfeind. It is going to be a142long day.143    As this is the first meeting of the Personnel Subcommittee144in the 119th Congress let me begin by saying I look forward to145working with you, Ranking Member Warren, thank you for being146here, as we continue the bipartisan tradition of the Armed147Services Committee in developing the National Defense148Authorization Act. Nothing is more bipartisan than supporting149our men and women in uniform and their families. This150Subcommittee has a long history of prioritizing the well-being151and morale of our servicemembers, and I am eager to continue152that work as the new Chairman.153    The Military Service Academies are foundational to the154success of the military officer corps. In many ways, the155Service Academies establish the culture of their respected156service. Moreover, the academies occupy an important position157in our society. They are perhaps the last universities in the158country that focus on building character and improving the159morality of their student body.160    The American people often perceive the academies as being161emblematic of the entire U.S. military, for better or for162worse. Over the last several years, the academies have lost163sight in some areas of the fundamental reason for their164existence, which is to commission officers with the education165required by the respective military branches.166    All three academies have been sued for engaging in race-167based affirmative action that is now prohibited at every other168university in the country. We have repeatedly heard, over the169last several years, that our diversity is our strength. It is170not. Diversity can be an awesome advantage, but our unity of171effort and shared benefits in our Constitution and common172values are our strength. Diversity for the sake of diversity173alone weakens us.174    A professor at the Air Force Academy proudly authored a175Washington Post op-ed proclaiming that she teaches critical176race theory to cadets. Both West Point and the Air Force177Academy established diversity and inclusion minors which can be178trendy in other university settings, but were so unpopular with179cadets that when they were abruptly canceled by President Trump180hardly anyone noticed.181    More importantly, any effort to teach our future leaders to182judge or short people by immutable characteristics like race183runs counter to the Constitution and is devastating to good184order and discipline. Last fall, the Naval Academy185appropriately canceled a lecture after it was revealed that the186speaker planned to use the opportunity to make a partisan187political speech. But one must ask, why was this speaker188invited in the first place? The academies must always remember189that they were created in the first place. The American people190devote tremendous resources to maintaining all of these191institutions. If the academies are not entirely focused on192building officers' character and to lead our Nation's sons and193daughters in combat, then what is the purpose?194    I hope our witnesses will address these criticisms but also195tell us about the great things that are happening every day at196the academies.197    The vast majority of the cadets and midshipmen, faculty and198staff at the Service Academies are properly focused on the only199mission that matters, which is defending our Constitution and200the American people.201    I thank the witnesses for appearing here today, and I look202forward to their testimony.203    Now I will turn the microphone over to Senator Warren.204205             STATEMENT OF SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN206207    Senator Warren. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am also looking208forward to continuing the bipartisan tradition of this209Subcommittee, and I hope to work with you and all of our210members to make sure that we improve the lives of our211servicemembers, their families, and our civilian workforce so212that they can stay focused on the mission of keeping Americans213safe.214    I want to start by extending my condolences to the four215families that just lost loved ones during a training mission in216Lithuania. They remind us, those who go into harm's way and217their families are always at risk and put it on the line for218the people of this United States of America. We are a deeply219grateful Nation.220    I am glad that we are starting this year by focusing on how221we recruit and retain the next generation of military leaders.222Our Military Service Academies are among the top academic223institutions in the Nation. West Point, the Air Force Academy,224the Naval Academy provide a high-quality education, and they225recruit and train almost 20 percent of our military officers.226    Currently, our Military Academies are very selective,227almost as tough to get into as the top colleges in this228country. But that knife cuts both ways. Every student admitted229to the Military Academies has other options. Academy students230are often highly recruited by other schools. The competition231for talent for tomorrow's leaders is already fierce. Attacks on232our Military Academies through policies that shrink the pool of233young Americans who will consider applying for military service234will cause lasting damage to our military and to our Nation.235    The latest U.S. census found that the youngest generation236of Americans is more diverse than ever. That means we need our237Military Academies to continue developing successful leaders238from all walks of life, not push away strong recruits because239they feel unwelcome or undervalued. Ham-fisted efforts to240reshape the academies are bound to backfire. For example, a mix241of military practitioners and civilian instructors have242successfully worked together for decades to shape students at243the Service Academies into a lethal fighting force.244    In a same way that competition for talent exists for245academy students, the same competition is true for faculty.246Well-respected professors have options, and many are247aggressively recruited.248    When Secretary Hegseth seemed to suggest that academies249should have fewer civilian professors, and when the Department250of Defense (DOD) imposes a ban on travel by civilian personnel,251it suggests that the military does not care about civilians252supporting its mission and that it will make it harder to253attract and keep top talent to teach tomorrow's military254leaders.255    The foolishness of the travel ban was immediately apparent.256Testing sites for military entrance exams were forced to close257or reduce hours, so fewer young people could apply to the258military. While DOD has begun to allow civilians to travel to259these testing sites again, these attacks on civilian personnel260who help to support our military are worrying, and civilian261personnel are key to keeping our academies successful, as well.262    Our military students deserve the best teachers, people who263are experts in their field. Tying the hands of the academies as264they compete with other top universities for talented faculty265will undercut the academies and, over time, undercut the266leaders the academies are teaching.267    Students need to develop their skills both inside the268classroom and outside, as well. I am sure many of us can think269of sports teams and extracurricular activities that helped270shape our experiences at school, that helped build our271communities, and that made us better leaders. Surely, as a272coach, Chairman Tuberville saw students' leadership skills273develop and grow through out-of-classroom work.274    The executive orders attacks on clubs at academies that it275considers Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is not276creating more effective warfighters. It is cutting off students277from opportunities to grow as leaders. When we are trying to278maintain a military force that can deter China, we cannot279afford to be shutting down engineering clubs. But under280President Trump, West Point has already disbanded chapters of281the National Society of Black Engineers and the National282Society of Women Engineers. Both organizations have been283praised repeatedly for helping recruit and retain more young284engineers for military service. Closing those chapters at the285Military Academies, while those chapters remain open at more286than 600 other colleges and universities, does not help our287military recruit top talent.288    This Committee held two hearings on recruiting last year,289and both hearings made clear that the United States cannot meet290its recruiting goals without women. The Army met its recruiting291goals in 2024, primarily because of new female recruits. There292was an 18 percent increase in women signing up for Active Duty,293compared to an increase of just 8 percent for men. Let me be294clear. These women are not looking for a preference or a295handout. They just want a chance to compete straight up.296    But we will not be able to attract the women we need if297they see a new glass ceiling on their opportunity to command.298By removing women, like the Chief of Naval Operations Vice299Admiral Franchetti, from leadership roles simply because they300are women, and confirming a Secretary of Defense who has a long301record of opposing women in combat, the Trump administration302has already set a tone from the top that women are not welcome.303We are already hearing concerns that women are hesitant to join304certain military jobs because they believe they will not be305welcome, solely due to their identity, not because of their306qualifications.307    Black recruits face their own challenges. When a Black308Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a man who served309honorably for over 40 years and who outlined our most310successful strategy to deal with foreign terrorists, is fired311solely because President Trump cannot imagine that he earned312the job on the merits, Black military recruits across the313Nation get the message--your race makes you vulnerable.314    When national organizations to support Black college315students who major in engineering are suddenly dropped at the316Military Academies, while those organizations remain lively at317600 other colleges and universities, the message that the318Military Academies may not welcome you gets even louder.319    Recruiting and retaining talent, including Black and female320talent, is a critical job for the future security of our321Nation. Pushing away more than half our future leaders is322wildly self-destructive.323    Mr. Chairman, 24 alumni from West Point and the Naval324Academy have written to me, sharing their stories about what325the academies mean to them and why they are concerned about the326direction this Administration wants to take them. I would like327to enter those into the record for their letters and testimony.328    Senator Tuberville. So entered.329330    [The information referred to follows:]331332    Please see Appendix beginning on page 76.333334    Senator Warren. Let me read from just one of them, who335wrote that these attacks on diversity are, quote, ``a direct336affront to the principles upon which our military was built and337a betrayal of the sacrifices made by generations of338servicemembers.'' Let those words sink in--a betrayal. We owe339them better than that.340    I look forward to this hearing and hearing the testimony of341witnesses who are here today. I thank you for being with us.342    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.343    Senator Tuberville. Thank you, Senator Warren.344    Now we will start with our witnesses and we will go to345questions and answers. We will start with you, General Gilland.346347    STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL STEVEN W. GILLAND, USA,348 SUPERINTENDENT OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY, UNITED349                          STATES ARMY350351    Lieutenant General Gilland. Chairman Tuberville, Ranking352Member Warren, distinguished members of the Subcommittee, thank353you for your continued support of the United States Military354Academy and Corps of Cadets. I am honored by the opportunity to355share how your Military Academy is providing the Army and our356Nation with disciplined, resilient warrior leaders of357character, ready to fight and win on the 21st century358battlefield.359    West Point produces the best-trained junior officers,360dedicated to the Army values and ready for a lifetime of361selfless service to the Nation. Starting on day one, our cadets362are grounded in the ideals of duty, honor, country, and our363Cadet Honor Code. Our rigorous leader development system364ensures West Point graduates are prepared to lead American365soldiers.366    West Point is not a traditional college or university. We367equip our graduates with the skills required to lead small368units on the battlefield. Furthermore, we develop and refine369the high moral character necessary to lead America's sons and370daughters to fight and win our Nation's wars.371    Through a robust corps curriculum that encompasses372warfighting, scholarship, and physical training, underpinned by373the United States Constitution, we instill both the warrior374ethos and intellectual agility necessary to outthink and375outmaneuver our adversaries. Our graduates serve as a testament376to the effectiveness of our program, including 77 Medal of377Honor recipients, over 100 Rhodes Scholars, 2 U.S. Presidents,378and numerous Members of Congress, including 10 current members.379    Our team, many of whom are combat veterans, and from my380professional experience in the 75th Ranger Regiment, as a381former deputy commander of a special mission unit, and the382Commander of the Warrior Division in the Republic of Korea, we383know what it takes to fight and win in the most unforgiving384conditions. That mindset and toughness is what West Point385teaches, which is exactly the type of battlefield leader West386Point produces.387    But what truly sets us apart is our comprehensive character388development efforts integrated through all aspects of the cadet389experience. I believe a cadet gets a degree in character390development and leadership. We charge every member of our391community, staff, faculty, and coaches to be developers of392leadership and character. These extraordinary young men and393women are among America's finest, hailing from our states,394unified by shared commitment to selfless service, supporting395and defending the Constitution, and living and leading396honorably.397    We invite you to West Point to participate in the classroom398and our training, sleep outside on the ground and in the rain399with our cadets, and witness firsthand our exceptional future400leaders in action. We know that you will be inspired.401    Thank you again, Senators, for the opportunity to discuss402the United States Military Academy with you today.403    [The prepared statement of Lieutenant General Steven W.404Gilland follows:]405406[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]407408    Senator Tuberville. Thank you, General. Admiral Davids.409410STATEMENT OF VICE ADMIRAL YVETTE M. DAVIDS, USN, SUPERINTENDENT411     OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY, UNITED STATES NAVY412413    Vice Admiral Davids. Chairman Tuberville, Ranking Member414Warren, distinguished Members of the Subcommittee, thank you415for the opportunity to appear before you today on behalf of the416United States Naval Academy.417    The Naval Academy's mission is to develop midshipmen418morally, mentally, and physically, and to imbue them with the419highest ideals of duty, honor, and loyalty, in order to420graduate leaders who are dedicated to a career of naval421service. We are developing our Navy and Marine Corps' next422generation of resilient warfighters and ethical leaders of423character who will preserve peace, and when called upon,424prevail in conflict.425    I took command of the Naval Academy as Superintendent in426January 2024, and I am pleased to report to you today that the427Naval Academy is succeeding in its mission. Having graduated428from the Naval Academy in 1989, as a Surface Warfare Officer,429over the last 35 years I have had the privilege of serving on430board 7 Navy ships, including command of a carrier strike crew.431My husband Keith, a member of the Naval Academy class of 1990,432honorably served as a Navy SEAL for 34 years before retiring433this fall, after commanding Naval Special Warfare Command.434    I can attest that the Naval Academy has and continues to435develop the type of stalwart leaders that our Navy and Marine436Corps needs, both today and for a future fight. The Naval437Academy graduates and commissions over 1,000 officers each438year, ensigns, and second lieutenants to serve in our Navy and439Marine Corps. Every member of the Naval Academy team, from440company officers to professors to coaches is committed to441developing these young men and women to meet and exceed the442standards required, as evidenced by an average graduation rate443of 89 percent, well above the DOD requirement of 75 percent,444and the U.S. 4-year graduation rate of 27 percent.445    While we value our reputation in the various college446rankings, they are important for our admission efforts. It is447important to highlight that we are a Military Service Academy448and not a college or a university. Our graduates must be449prepared immediately upon commissioning to lead and fight.450    As a national institution, the Naval Academy draws451applicants from across our great Nation. The Naval Academy uses452a comprehensive process, a whole-person assessment, balancing453objective factors, including each candidate's application such454as grade point average (GPA), with subjective factors such as455strength of a candidate's high school and course load. At no456time are race, sex, or ethnicity considered in the admissions457process. Despite recent challenges associated with COVID-19458pandemic and drops in college enrollment nationally, the Naval459Academy has experienced a nearly 47 percent increase in our460number of applications over the past 20 years.461    Our outreach efforts have been successful in reaching462across the country, delivering dedicated, quality, candidates.463From the moment a midshipman swears their oath on Induction Day464to the day they are commissioned, they undergo experiential465leadership development, learning by doing, as an integral466aspect of their education and training.467    While our core academic program includes required courses468in English, history, and government, it also includes an469immense focus on leadership development, and is heavily470Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) focused. Our471graduates will serve on nuclear submarines, fly state-of-the-472art aircraft, and command advanced warships. This technical473foundation is an imperative.474    Our philosophy of education stresses attention to475individual students by highly qualified faculty and staff476members, and our faculty is an integrated group of over 550477military officers and civilian professionals, historically478designed to be roughly equal in number. Officers typically479rotate to the Naval Academy for 2-to 3-year assignments,480bringing fresh ideas and experiences from the fleet. We also481have a smaller contingent of permanent military instructors and482professors, usually assigned for 5 to 8 years at a time.483    Our career civilian faculty members, all with doctoral484degrees, bring continuity to the education program, the485academic and subject matter expertise necessary for our486advanced technical courses, and hone teaching skills. Working487together, our military and civilian instructors form an488exceptionally dedicated team.489    The Naval Academy offers 26 majors. Over 75 percent of our490graduates major in a STEM discipline, and majors are added or491removed in response to the needs of the fleet. Recent examples492include the addition of majors in nuclear engineering, cyber493operations, and data science. We integrate wargaming into each494midshipman's professional development, preparing future495officers who can outthink the enemy.496    Every midshipman also maintains a high level of physical497fitness. They participate in classes and combatives as well as498swimming, and must achieve physical fitness standards that far499exceed Navy-wide standards. We have 36 varsity sports, among500the most of any college or university in the Nation. Developing501teamwork, grit, resiliency, and the will to win are all vital502attributes for all Naval Academy graduates.503    Established by Congress in 1845, the Naval Academy has504developed into a 4-year, total immersion program designed to505instill professional, physical, and academic excellence506required to develop warfighters and leaders of character for507careers in our naval service.508    Thank you again for the opportunity to appear before you509today, and I look forward to your questions.510    [The prepared statement of Vice Admiral Davids follows:]511   [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]512513    Senator Tuberville. Thank you, Admiral. General?514515  STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL TONY D. BAUERNFEIND, USAF,516 SUPERINTENDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY, UNITED517                        STATES AIR FORCE518519    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Chairman Tuberville,520Ranking Member Warren, and other distinguished Members, good521afternoon and thank you for the opportunity to address this522Committee on behalf of the United States Air Force Academy523(USAFA).524    At the Air Force Academy, we are exceptionally proud of our525military, academic, and athletic heritage, where we have526developed leaders who have served with honor since our first527graduating class of 1959. With our 30 majors and our 19 minors,528we are proud to be named amongst the top public colleges in529this great Nation, alongside our teammates at this table.530    Additionally, our 30 intercollegiate athletic teams531continue to showcase our warrior spirit and our athletic532prowess with 248 national champions after last Friday night and533928 All-Americans over our short history.534    But this is not enough. As a Nation, we are in a time of535consequence with global geopolitical instability. Our536adversaries have watched the American way of war, and they are537challenging our capabilities in every warfighting domain. It is538our responsibility to act now. At USAFA, that action is a539transformation that starts with our updated mission in which we540will forge leaders of character motivated to a lifetime of541service and developed to lead our Air Force's Space Force as we542fight and win our Nation's wars.543    With our mission in mind, and building upon the foundation544of our service's core values, our priorities are that we will545forge warfighters to win, we will inspire leaders of character546and quality, and we will motivate critical thinkers to adapt.547    Our mission, our priorities, and our newly injected548warfighter training are the bedrock of forging warfighters to549win. The warrior ethos our Nation needs must focus on our550readiness and driving us to be offensively minded, to be the551masters of our craft, and team builders who overcome adversity.552Our cadets will be ready for future battlefields with the553foundational warfighting skills of shoot, move, communicate,554medicate, and automate. These are the skills our joint force555requires.556    Leaders of character and quality make the right decisions,557the right way, even if unpopular. They value teamwork, hold558each other accountable, maintain high standards, and build each559other up to exceed those standards, and always uphold their560honor.561    Finally, the dynamic strategic environment of our time562demands critical thinkers to adapt. On a modern-day battlefield563our leaders must innovate solutions to wicked-hard problems,564while operating with limited information. By developing their565skills to ensure military readiness, to make rapid decisions566with limited data, manage operational risk, our cadets will be567ready to face a challenging world.568    As a Military Service Academy, our priorities are the569foundation of everything we do. Every military training570session, every classroom, educational experience, and every571athletic competition must support and reflect our priorities as572we develop warfighters ready to lead on day one. Woven573throughout that foundation is a shared responsibility for574instilling a culture of warfighting excellence, team building,575and respect to the entire team. To be clear, our training will576always be demanding, but it will never be demeaning.577    To achieve our goals, our Academy is undergoing significant578change. We have returned to the basics of military training and579enforcing standards for all Academy personnel. While standards580and accountability are critical to good order and discipline,581more importantly they are vital to modern warfare, where582precision, professionalism, and trust are the foundation of583complex military activities.584    We are also implementing a four-class leadership585development program. We are shifting away from an emphasis on586stress-focused training during the freshman year to a587comprehensive, military-focused progressive training at the588individual, team, and unit levels that spans a cadet's entire58947-month leadership and military development program.590    Through 4 years of rigorous military training, a nationally591recognized academic program, and highly competitive academics,592we will develop graduates who exemplify unwavering courage and593integrity. They will be prepared to lead in our Air Force and594our Space Force, and they will be ready to lead lethal595warfighting teams to deter our adversaries, and should596deterrence fail, fight and win our Nation's wars.597    Our path is clear. We must forge warfighters to win, we598must inspire leaders of character and quality, and we must599motivate critical thinkers to adapt, all to ensure that we600deliver the decisive advantage over our adversaries. Our Nation601deserves nothing less.602    I look forward to your questions and sharing more about the603incredible Air Force Academy. Thank you.604    [The prepared statement of Lieutenant General Bauernfeind605follows:]606[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]607608    Senator Tuberville. Thank you, General. We will start with609a few questions. I would just like to say something. I coached610for 40 years and recruited all over this country. I did lose611recruits to each one of your academies, and it never bothered612me because I knew the direction they were headed. They were613going to a different team, and all three of you said something614about team, and that is what you are. Your entire academy is a615team. You are all together in one. When you are at a616university, you have athletic teams and all that, but you are a617unique situation. I want to thank you for what you all do,618because you are the tip of the spear for the future of our619country, the leadership that you are going to build.620    So thank you for those opening statements, and let's just621talk about some of the inner workings of what you all do. In622the last 30 years, the composition and the role of the623faculties at each of your institutions has changed624significantly. Everything changes. So I want to ask each one of625you to answer these questions. How has the military-civilian626mix of your faculties changed over that time? General, we will627start with you.628    Lieutenant General Gilland. Senator, our civilian faculty,629we call it a blend of excellence. Our force structure has630uniformed members 74 percent of the faculty, and then the force631structure allows 26 percent for civilian faculty. What has632changed over the past decade specifically is that the civilian633faculty bring a depth of knowledge within disciplines that we634are able to use for the benefit of the education of our cadets.635    Primarily the force structure I said of 26 percent636civilian, about 55 percent of those civilian faculty work in637the STEM fields--so as we think about our engineering,638mathematics, and such--which has led us to be able to--we have639got a cadet team that deals in hypersonics, that has been able640to launch a rocket that has exceeded the Karman line. Sir, the641Karman line is 100 kilometers above the Earth's surface. These642are undergraduate students that are competing against graduate643students that are able to do that.644    The reason they are able to do that is because when we645think of the expertise that the civilian faculty, within646physics, aerospace engineering, et cetera, they bring that647expertise and that knowledge and continuity for our cadets to648be able to build year after year, and able to do that.649    Also, our title 10 civilian instructors, just as our650uniformed instructors, they swear an oath to the Constitution,651to support and defend the Constitution also. They are charged,652by me as the Superintendent, to be developers of character and653leadership. As I mentioned in my opening statement, Senator,654they are part of that community to teach character and655leadership, not just physics or data science, but also the life656lessons that come with being leader in their experiences.657    Senator Tuberville. Admiral?658    Vice Admiral Davids. Thank you, Senator. The Naval Academy,659since 1845, has modeled a 50/50 civilian-to-military ratio, and660we remain pretty close to that now, although we are off by a661little bit, I would say, at the moment. Our civilians, very662similar to the answer that you just got, bring such an663incredible depth. They tend to stay for 30 years or longer. So664they bring this longevity and continuity that we need at the665Academy that balances the miliary personnel that either rotate666in and out about 3 to 5 years or so, or complement our667permanent military instructors and permanent military668professors, that will stay a little bit longer, about 5 to 8669years in time, until statutory retirement for some of them.670    But it is the military and the teamwork that they have got671with the civilian group that really makes this robust, STEM-672heavy curriculum work. For us, similarly, they inspire our673midshipmen. They provide that continuity. But more importantly,674I think, the civilians, in particular, provide this technical675expertise that allows us to change and develop in the STEM676areas that we need to for the longevity of the time, and to677keep up with these incredible midshipmen that are coming in and678need to be more technically advanced.679    So the balance that they have is really important to us. We680value them working together as this incredible team. It seems681to have worked very well in our case, and we are making682terrific officers because of this, and warfighters. I would say683that every single one of them, if you are part of the Naval684Academy, are very much a part of developing these midshipmen685into the warfighters, into the leaders of character that they686need to be, and thus we have this 50/50 mix.687    Senator Tuberville. General?688    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Senator Tuberville, over689time the Air Force Academy, from when I was a cadet in the690early 1990's, was very few civilian, and we have now migrated691to approximately 38 to 40 percent of civilian faculty is in our692cadet-facing instruction that comes forward.693    In my first 7 months I have assessed is the two most694important things that we provide our future leaders are two695things. One is subject matter expertise to challenge them, to696educate them, to help them develop those critical thinking697skills, but also operationally relevant experience. So as we698develop them as future warrior leaders, being able to connect699with them, to teach them what it means to serve inside our700military as that goes forward. We benefit from that capability701from our military instructors as that moves forward as well as702a good portion of our civilian instructors, many of which are703veterans themselves, before they have become civilian704instructors and faculty members, as that develops. Thank you.705    Senator Tuberville. Thank you. Senator Warren.706    Senator Warren. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am going to pick707up on where you were. We have been talking about the Military708Academies are charged with training the next generation of709leaders, and together the three of you train about 1 out of710every 5 of our military officers. The military spends millions711of dollars, many, many years to train our helicopter pilots and712our combat leaders, and for a few, the chiefs of staff that we713end up with.714    But the Trump administration is undermining those715investments by tilting at windmills named DEI. In less than 3716months, the Administration has canceled student engineering717clubs and purged curricula based on clumsy keyword searches.718The Administration sends a strong signal that not everyone is719welcome in our military.720    So today I want to dig in on how you all think about your721mission to develop the leaders who will keep our military722strong. Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, do you consider723academic and leadership potential in the admissions process, so724that we can develop the next generation military officers who725will take on the toughest jobs?726    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Senator Warren, yes, we do,727absolutely, in our admissions process consider leadership and728through their 47-month leadership development program.729    Senator Warren. Good.730    Senator Blumenthal. Make sure your mic is on.731    Senator Warren. Yes. Make sure it is on. We are not getting732much sound here.733    General Gilland, same answer? Yes?734    Lieutenant General Gilland. Yes, ma'am.735    Senator Warren. Admiral Davids?736    Vice Admiral Davids. Yes, ma'am, considered in the737admissions process.738    Senator Warren. Good. So you all admit cadets and739midshipmen based on their academic and their leadership740potential. Then it is your job to turn that potential into741reality.742    So let's talk about where students develop those skills.743One place, obviously, is the classroom. That is one of the744reasons, as you have already described, that students learn745from both academic experts and practitioners in the field.746Military practitioners obviously have valuable experiences to747share with students. But the academies also need the best748teachers for physics and cybersecurity and electrical749engineering and much, much more.750    The Department of Defense has recognized this, including in751a 1993 report, calling on the Service Academies to ingrate more752civilian faculty so that, quote, ``the faculties can act in753unity but not identically a blend of excellence.''754    Vice Admiral Davids, does learning from both military and755civilian instructors help your students develop the skills they756need to become part of a lethal fighting force?757    Vice Admiral Davids. Thank you, Senator. Absolutely, they758learn from both, our military and our civilian. It is one team759to be able to develop these midshipmen, and they are all in on760doing that. So I am really impressed.761    Senator Warren. Good. General Bauernfeind?762    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Bauernfeind, ma'am.763    Senator Warren. Bauernfeind.764    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Yes, Senator Warren. Yes,765we value our facility as it comes forward, as it brings forward766for the two aspects, as mentioned before, bringing forward that767subject matter expertise and that operationally relevant768experience to both educate and develop future leaders.769    Senator Warren. General Gilland, are you in agreement with770your colleagues here?771    Lieutenant General Gilland. Yes, Senator.772    Senator Warren. Good. But leadership is obviously about773what you lean in the classroom, but it is also what happens774outside the classroom. So I want to talk for just a minute775about engineering clubs. They certainly encourage students to776learn hard skills, to support each other, and that undertaking777can be really difficult. But an engineering club also gives the778student an opportunity to take on leadership roles and779responsibilities, like being the treasurer, or being the780president. That is true of other clubs, too.781    One cadet who helped found the Vietnamese-American Cadet782Association at West Point said that it helped to make him a783better officer and that, quote, ``West Point was probably the784first place where I had a supportive environment for my785identity and who I am.''786    So Lieutenant General Gilland, do cadets grow as leaders by787taking initiative and contributing to their communities, and788are clubs a significant part of that?789    Lieutenant General Gilland. Yes, Senator. All of our clubs,790and I would consider all of West Point as a living, breathing,791leadership laboratory.792    Senator Warren. I like that. I like that. Vice Admiral793Davids?794    Vice Admiral Davids. I would agree completely, Senator.795    Senator Warren. General Bauernfeind?796    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Senator Warren, I do agree,797as well, that our clubs provide opportunities.798    Senator Warren. So I am concerned, because currently the799Administration is rolling out Executive orders that have led to800dismantling clubs that have been around for decades, and that801have successfully supported students at the Service Academies.802Those leadership opportunities remain available in more than803600 colleges and universities around the country. Banning those804clubs just at our Military Academies does not make it easier to805recruit the best and the brightest.806    The Trump administration's ham-fisted attacks on the807Service Academies undermine our ability to recruit and to train808talented young people who will become a critical part of our809lethal fighting force. I think that is bad for our cadets and810it is bad for our national security.811    Thank you for being here, and we apologize for moving in812and out. We have got votes going on at the same time. So this813is not a comment on what anyone has to say. We just have to814play a little bit of tag here.815    Senator Reed, I understand--yes, he hasn't even sat down816yet. Senator Reed, you are up next.817    Senator Reed. Well, thank you all for your testimony and818for your service. My experience, which has some connection to819the academies, is that there are places which build character820and also critical thinking. The character is understanding that821you must do the harder right rather than the easier wrong. But822the critical thinking is absolutely important, because today we823are in a multidimensional scheme of warfare. We have824accelerated technology. We have contested supply lines. The825young graduates are going into a much more complicated world826than I went into.827    Admiral Davids, can you talk about the process that your828faculty and dean go through when determining the curriculum for829your students?830    Vice Admiral Davids. Thank you, Senator. We have a really831robust curriculum. It includes everything that you might need832to make a great officer, and having just come from the fleet, I833can attest to that. It has got English. It has got government.834It has got leadership. It has got STEM-heavy to help develop835them and ready them in order to be ready to be these incredible836officers out in the fleet on day one, sir.837    Senator Reed. Thank you, ma'am. General Gilland, please.838    Lieutenant General Gilland. Senator Reed, our curriculum,839which spans across not only the academic program but also our840physical and military program, is designed to develop critical841thinkers, as I stated in the opening statement, to be able to842outthink and outmaneuver our adversaries. That is built into843everything that we do at the United States Military Academy.844    Senator Reed. Thank you, sir. General Bauernfeind.845    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Senator Reed, thank you846very much. We have a robust course of instruction that not only847includes our academic curriculum but our physical education and848our commissioning education, all designed to meet the three849priorities that I laid out in the opening statement, as it850moves forward, and we have a very dynamic curriculum for all,851because in our connection with our Air Force major commands and852our Space Force field coms we are responsive to not only the853requirements of the fielded forces but also the direction we854receive from the Secretary of the Air Force, as an example, to855graduate more of our future leaders focused on STEM degrees, as856the way of future warfare is going to rely heavily on that STEM857education as it moves forward. Through our integrated858curriculum review process, as well as great faculty support, we859are able to ebb and flow our curriculum to meet the dynamic860requirements of the force.861    Senator Reed. Sir, can I followup with another question,862which is can you tell us a vignette of your own personal863experience that you have tried to infuse into the wing at the864Air Force Academy?865    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. So as an example, as we866look forward to curriculum review we see an opportunity, as867looking to the future of our corps, is a need for understanding868that all of our future leaders must not only be air-minded but869they also must be space-minded and cyber-minded, to understand870how to deliver and understand the organizations that deliver871those effects for the joint warfighting campaign.872    So right now our faculty are looking through our process to873how to ensure that all 1,000 graduates every year come out with874that full appreciation of air, space, and cyber, to be875effective as joint operators.876    Senator Reed. Thank you. Admiral Davids, your comments?877    Vice Admiral Davids. Thank you, Senator. I think it is my878enthusiasm for the curriculum and for the trust I have got in879the faculty that inspires them all to do incredible things.880    You asked what we do individually to support. I think one881of my big focus areas this year has definitely been wargaming,882and it is sort of at a nascent level, but I think we do have883one of the largest undergraduate wargaming efforts at one time884for our midshipmen fourth class at the end of each year. It is885really extraordinary. It is also to support the midshipmen886first class as they develop their capstone projects, and this887is why it is so exciting, because it is tied completely with888the fleet, with our labs, with our research projects that889occur, that the midshipmen are incorporating to include in some890real-world operational support.891    Not to mention we have some incredible extracurricular892activities that we talked about before, and one that I just893used as an example is something we call SWAT-C but imagine it894is a competitive drone group that goes out and competes against895these two here but also other schools in the real-world896terrain, on understanding how to use that technology in the897future. It is about really infusing support to the faculty and898staff.899    Senator Reed. Thank you, and General Gilland.900    Lieutenant General Gilland. Senator Reed, our curriculum is901under continuous assessment, and it evolves to meet the902requirements of the United States Army. From a personal903vignette perspective, at West Point we have what is called MX-904400, which is the officer capstone course. It is a905superintendent's course. Our first class, our seniors, take906that course one semester during their senior year. I address907them in specifically the underpinnings of the Constitution of908the United States and what it means to be a commissioned909officer in the United States Army. Then the vignettes910associated with experiences that I have had through almost 35911years of service in our Army.912    Senator Reed. Just let me make two final points. One of the913advantages you have now is a very established and experienced914noncommissioned officers corps, who are integrated within the915cadet companies and squadrons, et cetera, which is a plus.916Second, I have some prejudices among the academies, but Admiral917Davids, I think Navy really began to turn in the right918direction when in the 1860's you moved to Newport, Rhode Island919for a few years. I think that is the key point. Thank you.920    Vice Admiral Davids. Thank you, sir.921    Senator Tuberville. Thank you, Senator Reed. Senator922Sullivan.923    Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is good to924see you at the helm here, and also as a member of the U.S. Air925Force Academy board. I think that is great. Congratulations to926Senator Tuberville on both.927    I want to just kind of have an honest assessment here,928because I think one of the biggest concerns we have in the929Congress, certainly the American people have, is our so-called930elite universities in our country, the Ivy League, for example,931that they have become bastions of anti-Americanism, anti-932military institutions, antisemitic institutions, the top933universities in the country. I think this is a charge that is934not some kind of fake charge. My alma mater, Harvard935University, has led the way on being anti-military for decades.936They still are, in my view, in many ways. They do not respect937the service of people in our military.938    I had an experience that I wrote about in The Wall Street939Journal just last year when I visited Harvard. I mean, you940could not believe it, a giant anti-Israel, antisemitic protest941put on by a radical group, in Harvard Library's Widener Reading942Room, during finals. It was ridiculous. I mean, it was stunning943how out-of-touch these universities are. Americans across the944country are like, ``Wait, these are the universities teaching945our leaders?'' It is a real shame, and there is a lot of946concern, with good reason.947    In that Wall Street Journal op-ed I talked about the948experience I saw there recently at Harvard. I was shocked at949the lack of leadership, particularly Claudine Gay, who950subsequently got fired after my Wall Street Journal op-ed. I951wrote, ``Not all university leadership is so craven, morally952bankrupt, and afraid of the most vocal, radical sects of their953own student bodies.''954    I serve on the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Naval Academy,955which--no offense, Senator Reed--is rated the number one public956university in America. The contract could not be starker957between the Service Academies and the Ivy League on issues like958civil discourse, so-called space spaces, trigger warning,959American history, and yes, our unique and exceptional place in960the world.961    So Admiral, I have seen a lot of what the Naval Academy has962done. I think for the most part it is outstanding. But we have963concerns that some of this DEI, Critical Race Theory (CRT),964anti-Americanism, anti-militarism kind of is going to seep over965to our Service Academies, which I think is the point of this966hearing, and I really appreciate the Chairman for calling it.967    We want our Service Academies focused on warfighting,968lethality, patriotism, and I think they are still, all three of969you, still are at the helm of the top universities in the970country. But there can be improvements, and I think everybody971would agree with that.972    So let me just ask, very quickly, General Bauernfeind,973there was a civilian professor at the Air Force Academy named974Dr. Lynne Chandler Garcia, published an op-ed in The Washington975Post where she stated, quote, ``She teaches critical race976theories to our Nation's military leaders because it is vital977to cadets to understand history of racism that have shaped both978foreign policy and domestic policy.'' Do you think CRT is vital979for future military Air Force officers, General?980    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Senator Sullivan, thank981you. What we are focused on is developing those warfighters,982those leaders of character and quality, and those critical983thinkers to adapt. In accordance with law, on the Fiscal Year9842024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), we no longer985teach critical race theory at the United States Air Force986Academy.987    Senator Sullivan. Okay.988    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. To focus on those critical989thinkers, we are delving in hard on teaching our future leaders990how to think and not what to think.991    Senator Sullivan. Good. That is a great answer.992    Admiral, you and I have gotten to know each other well. I993appreciate your leadership at the Naval Academy. One of the big994challenges--we just had a hearing yesterday on it--995shipbuilding, and do you think having our future naval officers996fully understand naval architecture programs is something that997should be, even though it is not a major for everybody, is that998in the core curriculum at the Naval Academy now?999    Vice Admiral Davids. It is part of the core curriculum. I1000might offer also we have the second-largest wave tank in the1001Nation, which is a backup to Carderock, which could be helpful1002in the future when we are talking shipbuilding. It is1003exceptionally important to us. We do have a cadre of midshipmen1004who really focus and enjoy naval architecture, sir, and I am so1005pleased that we offer it.1006    Senator Sullivan. Are there ways to encourage midshipmen,1007more midshipmen to take up naval architecture as a major? I1008think it is one of our challenges on shipbuilding right now. If1009there is going to be a source of military leaders who1010understand naval architecture to help get us out of this1011challenge on shipbuilding, it is going to be from the academy1012you lead. Are there ways to do that?1013    Vice Admiral Davids. There are ways to relook at this. We1014are looking at our curriculum right now, just to ensure that1015not only do we follow the executive orders but also that we are1016completely aligned with warfighting of the future. This is1017warfighting of the future. This is a hot button right now. It1018would be appropriate to reconsider what we do with naval1019architecture. What I do know is we do have a lot of wonderful1020midshipmen focused on it right now.1021    Senator Sullivan. Great. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.1022Chairman.1023    Senator Tuberville. Thank you, Senator Sullivan. Just to1024followup, General, is that professor still employed at the Air1025Force Academy?1026    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Yes, sir.1027    Senator Tuberville. Senator Reed, would you like to1028rebuttal on----1029    Senator Reed. You are very generous, Mr. Chairman, but I1030think that history speaks for itself.1031    [Laughter.]1032    Senator Tuberville. Senator Hirono.1033    Senator Hirono. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I welcome all of1034our superintendents.1035    I want to be absolutely clear. The Trump administration's1036attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion in our military and1037our Military Service Academies are not just misguided, they are1038dangerous. These efforts weaken our armed forces, ignore our1039history, and undermine the very principles that make our1040military the most capable in the world.1041    The claim that DEI initiatives somehow detract from combat1042readiness is not only false but flies in the face of decades of1043evidence. Diversity is not a distraction. It is our strategic1044advantage. The Department of Defense itself has repeatedly1045affirmed that a diverse force is a stronger force. Even the1046conservative Supreme Court, in its disastrous ruling on1047affirmative action, recognized that Military Academies have,1048quote, ``potentially distinct interests,'' end quote, in1049maintaining a diverse officer corps.1050    A Federal district court recently, in Maryland, said just1051that ruling, that the Naval Academy's limited use of race in1052admissions was constitutional, citing a compelling national1053security interest in officer diversity. The court emphasized1054that unlike civilian institutions, Military Academies must1055account for how their admissions policies directly affect1056national defense. Why is that? Because diversity in leadership1057is not an ideological preference. It is a strategic imperative.1058Because the ability to lead diverse units, work with1059international allies, and maintain cohesion within the ranks is1060not an optional skill, it is a necessity.1061    In other words, having an officer corps that represents the1062country it protects and the people it leads is a force1063multiplier--a force multiplier--which gives our armed forces an1064advantage over our adversaries.1065    Yet, instead of embracing this reality, we see efforts to1066erase and dismantle the very programs that help us build this1067capability. West Point has disbanded a dozen cadet clubs that1068supported women, Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, and Transgender1069(LGBTQ+) students, and racial minorities. The Air Force removed1070a documentary in their basic military training curriculum on1071the Tuskegee Airmen, Black pilots who had to fight two wars,1072one against the Axis powers and one against the racism in their1073own country. The Army, in a so-called, quote, ``digital content1074refresh,'' end quote, accidentally erased the history of the1075442d Regimental Combat team, the most decorated unit in U.S.1076military history, composed entirely of Japanese-Americans who1077fought bravely while their families, 120,000 Japanese-1078Americans, were incarcerated in internment camps back home.1079This is unacceptable and disrespectful to our brave veterans.1080    I will say that again. The Army took down a page honoring a1081unit that fought valiantly to prove their loyalty to a country1082that had imprisoned their families back at home, reinstating1083the page only after public outcry.1084    In Secretary Hegseth's message to the forces, he claims to1085be committed to warfighters, he claims to care about1086warfighting ethos and lethality. If Secretary Hegseth and1087President Trump are proud of our warfighters, then why are they1088erasing their legacy?1089    This hypocrisy is not just offensive. It is a betrayal of1090our servicemembers and their sacrifices. It is no coincidence1091that the same voices attacking DEI today are the ones who stood1092silent when women in the military were fighting for equal1093opportunities, when LGBTQ+ servicemembers were forced to hide1094who they were, and when racial minorities were systematically1095denied leadership opportunities.1096    This is not about merit. It is about rolling back progress1097under the guise of readiness and lethality. Our Military1098Academies are supposed to be developing leaders of character--1099you all testified to that--leaders who can navigate the complex1100global challenges of the 21st century, not just fire weapons or1101fly a plane. Leaders who can foster trust and cohesion with1102diverse unit, who can engage with international allies, and who1103can uphold the values of democracy and equality that we send1104them to defend. The Department of Defense itself has argued1105that diverse leadership is a, quote, ``national security1106imperative,'' end quote. Yet we are watching as this1107Administration systematically dismantles every effort to ensure1108that our officer corps reflects the America it serves. This is1109not just a political talking point. It is a strategic failure1110in the making.1111    To the superintendents and leaders here today, you oversee1112the comprehensive training and education of our future military1113leaders. You are responsible for ensuring that our armed forces1114remain the best in the world, not just in combat effectiveness1115but in leadership, character, cohesion. I urge you to stand1116firm. Do not allow anti-DEI policies to undermine the very1117fabric of our national security. Do not allow President Trump1118and Secretary Hegseth to erase history by dividing what we know1119to be facially true. The strength and future of our military1120depends on it.1121    Mr. Chairman, I would like to include in the record of this1122hearing this list of words that The New York Times printed as1123words that are disappearing in the new Trump administration.1124They are words like biases, diverse groups, equal opportunity,1125immigrants, injustice, victims, women, females, Blacks--three1126pages' worth of words that are no longer welcome in this1127Administration. I would like this list to be included in the1128record of this hearing.1129    Senator Tuberville. So entered.1130    Senator Hirono. Thank you.1131    [The information referred to follows:]1132[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]11331134    Senator Hirono. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1135    Senator Tuberville. Thank you, Senator Hirono. Senator1136Scott.1137    Senator Scott. General Gilland, is the Army-Navy game1138important?1139    Lieutenant General Gilland. Senator Scott, it is great to1140see you again. The Army-Navy game is important. Absolutely,1141sir.1142    Senator Scott. It would be really disappointing if you ever1143lost, right?1144    Lieutenant General Gilland. We are disappointed, but we1145will also come back.1146    Senator Scott. Did you go to the game?1147    Lieutenant General Gilland. Yes, sir.1148    Senator Scott. Do you remember the score?1149    Lieutenant General Gilland. I do, sir.1150    Senator Scott. What was it?1151    Lieutenant General Gilland. Well, I try to put that behind1152me, sir, but yes.1153    Senator Scott. Okay. But to Navy, you think it is really,1154really, really important game, isn't it.1155    Vice Admiral Davids. Exceptionally, especially this year,1156sir.1157    Senator Scott. Go Navy. Thank you guys for what you are1158doing. I thank each of you for what you are doing.1159    So, first off, who is responsible for your faculty? I mean,1160who is responsible for the mission?1161    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Senator Scott, I am.1162    Senator Scott. Okay. Admiral?1163    Vice Admiral Davids. I am, as well, sir.1164    Senator Scott. So you are responsible for your faculty,1165right?1166    Lieutenant General Gilland. Yes, Senator.1167    Senator Scott. How is your faculty chosen?1168    Lieutenant General Gilland. Senator, our faculty at West1169Point is chosen through different hiring processes, as we think1170about those departments, and department heads lead the1171respective hiring process. So for both uniformed and civilian1172faculty, going through the process to identify those people1173that have the skills, particularly knowledge and experience in1174whatever the discipline is that we are looking for.1175    Senator Scott. So do you hire them or does the faculty hire1176themselves, hire new faculty?1177    Lieutenant General Gilland. Sir, through the hiring process1178it is brought to the Dean of the Academic Board and to myself1179for approval.1180    Senator Scott. Admiral?1181    Vice Admiral Davids. Very similar. We are looking for1182individuals that have the expertise in the fields that we need,1183going forward have the commitment to the Naval Academy and buy-1184in for exactly our mission set, sir.1185    Senator Scott. Who makes the final decision?1186    Vice Admiral Davids. Everything. I am responsible for1187everything, but it is recommended by panel, sir.1188    Senator Scott. General.1189    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Sir, we have similar1190processes as our colleagues at the table, and especially our1191Dean of Faculty has great authority, under my responsibility,1192to canvas for the best and brightest military and civilian1193faculty instructors as we move forward.1194    Senator Scott. So ultimately each of you have the ability1195to pick your faculty.1196    Lieutenant General Gilland. Senator, yes, we do, but I1197think that what is important to clarify is that through1198authorities that have been delegated, depending on the1199instructor, the level, I am not personally canvassing captains1200across the operational force to come teach in a department. I1201have very capable department heads who execute that.1202    Senator Scott. All right. Do any of you have tenure or are1203you looking at having tenure.1204    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Yes, sir, we have both. We1205have civilian tenure for a small number of our civilian faculty1206as well as our military permanent professors and senior1207military faculty that have longer duration at the Air Force1208Academy.1209    Vice Admiral Davids. We too have a process of tenure for1210our civilians, sir.1211    Lieutenant General Gilland. We do too also, Senator.1212    Senator Scott. So why do you have tenure?1213    Lieutenant General Gilland. Well, Senator, I think that1214tenure offers our civilian faculty, specifically, opportunities1215to advance within their discipline at the United States1216Military Academy.1217    Vice Admiral Davids. I think it is a wonderful recruiting1218tool to get in the best and the brightest that we can. They1219could go to so many other places, but we draw in these1220incredible talents that want to stay. Sir, I also think it is1221an incentive to stay, which we want these individuals to buy1222into the program and be able to learn and advance their skills1223so that we can benefit from them, sir.1224    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Sir, I would say that is1225the process at the Air Force Academy, as well, as part of the1226academic progression for our civilian faculty.1227    Senator Scott. So did each of you come through a tenure1228system.1229    Lieutenant General Gilland. We came up through a1230professional military system, sir.1231    Senator Scott. You don't have tenure, do you?1232    Lieutenant General Gilland. No. Well, I have got 35 years1233in the Army, sir. Some would probably call that tenure.1234    Senator Scott. Yes, but you had to perform, and if you did1235not perform you were out.1236    Lieutenant General Gilland. That is correct. But tenure1237within our civilian faculty, Senator, has to be earned. It is1238not given. It has to be demonstrated that a faculty member1239qualifies to meet the tenets of earning that tenure.1240    Senator Scott. On any of your areas as a tenured professor1241ever lost their job while you have been there?1242    Lieutenant General Gilland. Not during my time, Senator.1243    Vice Admiral Davids. Not during my time either, sir.1244    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Neither for me, sir, for my1245short period.1246    Senator Scott. Thank you.1247    Senator Tuberville. Thank you. Just to followup on that,1248can you fire a civilian, tenured teacher, professor? General,1249can you fire one?1250    Lieutenant General Gilland. Yes, Senator.1251    Senator Tuberville. You can?1252    Lieutenant General Gilland. Yes, through the process we1253have the ability to fire them.1254    Vice Admiral Davids. Sir, there is an Human Resources (HR)1255process in which we can do that.1256    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Absolutely, Senator, there1257is a process for all civilian and military personnel that do1258not meet our standards.1259    Senator Tuberville. Thank you.1260    Senator Blumenthal. How about your coaches?1261    Lieutenant General Gilland. All the time.1262    Senator Tuberville. I guarantee you they do not have1263tenure.1264    [Laughter.]1265    Senator Blumenthal. I asked that question because----1266    Senator Tuberville. We might have to work on that, though.1267I am kind of partial to the coaches.1268    Senator Blumenthal. I have some serious questions. You can1269disregard that one.1270    I think you have some of the most important jobs in our1271military, maybe in our country, which is educating our future1272leaders. They are leaders not only in the military but1273eventually in their communities, as well. I think your job has1274been made more difficult by some of the recent talk about a1275woke military and some of the recent orders that you have had1276to implement, like the DEI executive orders, eliminating DEI1277content from your curriculum and campuses, which I think has a1278chilling effect on the discourse that takes place on campuses,1279which is really part of the educational experience. What young1280people say to each other, what they learn from each other I1281think is as important as maybe some of the courses that they1282take.1283    I trust that you have faithfully executed the orders from1284your commander in chief to eliminate all the DEI content from1285your campuses and curriculum. I understand in the case of West1286Point, sir, you reviewed over 600 courses and you eliminated1287just 2 that come into compliance, which says to me there was1288not a lot of this extraneous DEI, woke content in your courses.1289Is that a fair conclusion on my part?1290    Lieutenant General Gilland. Senator, the review is still1291ongoing, given the timeframe. We are in the validation frame.1292But of over 600 courses that were reviewed, 2 were determined1293to not be compliant with the executive order, and thus we1294eliminated those two courses. They were higher-level electives1295that had a fairly small population of cadets that were enrolled1296in that.1297    Senator Blumenthal. What were the two courses?1298    Lieutenant General Gilland. Sir, one was a history course1299and the other was an English course. Respectively, the1300population impacted about 25 cadets in one course and 13 in1301another.1302    Senator Blumenthal. What was the title of the----1303    Lieutenant General Gilland. Oh, yes sir. The title for the1304history course was, it was HI 463, ``Race, Ethnicity, and1305Nation,'' and our English course, which was English 352, was1306``Power and Difference,'' sir, and like I said, 25 cadets1307impacted in the history course, 12 cadets impacted in the1308English course.1309    Senator Blumenthal. Could you give me, for the Navy,1310Admiral Davids, the equivalent information, and maybe for the1311Air Force, as well.1312    Vice Admiral Davids. Certainly, sir. Thank you for the1313question. Out of 870 courses that we reviewed, only 2 of them1314were canceled. They were NL 445, ``Gender Matters,''--that is a1315leadership course, sir--and an English course, HE 374, ``Gender1316Sexuality Studies.'' We had a total of 18 other classes that we1317either needed to modify, very minorly, or make some subtle1318adjustments to bring it to compliance with the executive1319orders.1320    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Senator Blumenthal, we are1321in the middle of our course review. We are conducting a review1322of our 735, and we are doing two sets of eyes on the review as1323we go forward. Of the 735, we have assessed that right now1324there are 55 courses that we have identified for further-on1325analysis. Of those numbers, right now our initial assessment is132640 percent will require no change, 53 percent will require1327minor admin or reading change, and only 3 of the courses1328potentially for suspension. I have not made that decision yet,1329and once I do, sir, I will followup on the record with the1330names of those courses.1331    Senator Blumenthal. If all of you could followup. I know1332that this review may be ongoing, as you said, General. I would1333appreciate knowing.1334    You know, the reason it is a somewhat impossible position,1335in order to teach about tyranny you have to read books on1336Nazism, right. Some of the bad stuff has to be learned in order1337to avoid mistakes that have been made in the past. The military1338has an extraordinary and proud record of leading our Nation on1339desegregation. It literally led the Nation, and we should be1340teaching that history so that our military can be not only1341proud but continue to lead the Nation in its values and1342principles, let me just say, of diversity, which is what you1343do--you are diverse and you need to teach people how to deal1344with diverse groups that they will command--and inclusion,1345because you want to include people from different backgrounds1346and races and religions, and be able to lead them, as well, and1347do it equitably.1348    So I am very sympathetic to your dilemma right now, and I1349hope that the Congress can help you rather than hinder you with1350the kind of rhetoric that has become all too popular about woke1351military and all that stuff. I want to thank you for the great1352job that you are doing.1353    I nominate, every year, people to go to your great1354institutions. I wish all of them could be admitted. But I must1355say, one of the most satisfying and fulfilling tasks I have is1356to do those nominations, because they are extraordinary, just1357exemplary young men and women. Thank you for helping to educate1358them.1359    Senator Tuberville. Thank you, Senator Blumenthal. Senator1360Budd.1361    Senator Budd. Chairman, thank you. Thanks for hosting this.1362Thank you all for being here, as well, and I would echo those1363comments. It is one of our highlights. It gives us great hope1364in our country, every December, when we gather as a large1365panel, somewhere in North Carolina, to review applicants and1366candidates. It is one of the highlights from my time in the1367House and also here in the Senate.1368    Let me ask about the concept of the military being a great1369leveler, and I believe that it is. For decades, the U.S.1370military has been the strongest representation of the very best1371of our country. Americans from all backgrounds must continue to1372be evaluated and promoted based on their merit, encompassing1373their character, their commitment, their ability, and their1374courage.1375    General Gilland--and if I could ask all of you, as I ask1376the questions, to keep your answers concise--you said that all1377appointees to West Point are fully qualified, based on your1378scoring methodology, the whole candidate score. So what is the1379lowest that an applicant can score and still be deemed highly1380qualified?1381    Lieutenant General Gilland. Sir, the whole candidate model,1382which is based on academic, physical, and then character and1383service, that is one component of the admissions process, of1384which we use the whole candidate score and then the measure of1385the tangibles, and then there are the intangibles, such as grit1386and tenacity, desire to serve our Nation, that are also1387assessed by our recruitment officers, through our Admissions1388Department.1389    When we look at the whole person concept for the cadet1390candidates that exist across our Nation, and within your State1391specifically, sir, we look at both the tangibles and the1392intangibles.1393    Senator Budd. It would seem those additional qualifiers of1394grit, tenacity, and desire to serve, would that not be part of1395the whole candidate score?1396    Lieutenant General Gilland. Well, sir, with regards to the1397whole candidate score, as I said, broken down, there's academic1398which is 60 percent----1399    Senator Budd. Physical----1400    General Gilland.--Thirty percent, which is the character1401and extracurricular activities, and then 10 percent physical,1402and then there is the assessment of the intangibles as we have1403seen through letters of evaluation that come in from coaches1404and teachers, respectively, the interview process, the1405interviews that go through our field force members that are out1406within the respective locales. So there are these intangibles1407that are also considered in the development of a candidate and1408determining admissions to the Military Academy.1409    Senator Budd. General, is there a different minimum score1410for any particular demographic?1411    Lieutenant General Gilland. No, sir.1412    Senator Budd. General, roughly 25 to 30 percent of an1413incoming class at West Point is not required to be appointed1414based on their order of merit. Do you oppose legislation that1415would require you to appoint more applicants based on their1416whole candidate score, and if so, why is that?1417    Lieutenant General Gilland. Sir, admissions model is1418compliant with the provision of Title 10, which has been1419codified into law, as has been stated, sir. If there is a1420change to any legislation we absolutely look forward to working1421with you on what that would mean and what it would entail with1422any modifications.1423    We continuously assess our admissions process, and, for1424instance, as we talk about the whole candidate score, each of1425the academies have different whole person scoring models, and1426we are looking at ours also at this time.1427    Senator Budd. General Bauernfeind, I understand you are1428looking at some of the Air Force Academy's admissions1429processes. You mentioned that earlier. Do you have any specific1430concerns, and if so, what are they? Would you oppose1431legislation that would require you to adhere to your order of1432merit in admissions?1433    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Sir, first of all, our1434admissions process, to go back to the fully qualified, it1435requires two aspects, a highly competitive application process1436that goes into not only the academic ability to succeed at one1437of our Military Service Academies but extracurricular1438activities, focused on leadership abilities and depth of1439service. Then, as discussed before, athletic capabilities, an1440air liaison interview, but then finally a committee score that1441looks deeper into the letters of recommendation, the1442interviews, that starts to understand alignment to our service1443core values, integrity, determination, grit, as that comes1444forward as we dig into it. So I am very content with our1445current admissions process for understanding how we are getting1446the best and brightest.1447    The second aspect is also the nominations that we get form1448our congressional leadership, to ensure that we are getting the1449best and brightest from all the districts in our great Nation1450as it moves forward. If our elected leaders choose to provide1451additional guidance, we look forward to working with our1452elected leaders to comply with that.1453    Senator Budd. Thank you. I have additional questions for1454the record, unless you have other time.1455    Senator Tuberville. Thank you, Senator Budd. I have got one1456question. I apologize for people in and out. We have votes. We1457have other hearings going on. But we do really appreciate you1458coming. We have learned a lot here.1459    Permanent military faculty are Senate confirmed. Should we1460have any input toward civilian professors? General, on your1461recommendation.1462    Lieutenant General Gilland. Sir, I think that when we look1463at the confirmation of our permanent faculty, which is a fairly1464small number, we make that recommendation to you, as Congress.1465With regards to our civilian faculty, I think even with their1466swearing to an oath to the Constitution of the United States, I1467would have to go back and ask about from a civilian hiring1468practice, because the civilian hiring practices and regulations1469that govern that are different than from our uniformed members.1470    Senator Tuberville. Admiral?1471    Vice Admiral Davids. Very similar, except that I would say1472that at the Naval Academy we have a proven formula that works,1473sir, and that includes these incredible civilian faculty that1474are charged to support everything that we do there. They are1475completely in on our mission, and they complement the military1476aspect of our faculty, as well, sir. So when I say proven, I1477say that 89 percent graduation rate at the United States Naval1478Academy, and a great deal of that is because of the incredible1479coaches, mentors, faculty, and staff that we have there, all1480focused on that mission set, sir.1481    Senator Tuberville. Thank you. General?1482    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Sir, I am very comfortable1483under my authorities picking the civilian faculty for our force1484as we go forward. But if our elected leaders want to have a1485voice in that, I am also very comfortable working with our1486elected leaders to detail a process that enables us to move1487through that process quickly.1488    Senator Tuberville. Senator Budd, we have got time for one1489more question, if you want to throw it out.1490    Senator Budd. Admiral Davids, how often does the U.S. Naval1491Academy deviate from the order of merit list when you are1492permitted to do so?1493    Vice Admiral Davids. Sir, we have an incredible system,1494tried and true. No race, sex, or ethnicity goals associated1495with this. No race, sex, or ethnicity whatsoever governed in1496the acceptance of who we actually take in. We have1497congressional nominations, as you know, and the qualified1498alternates list, which is by order of merit. Then, once we have1499offered up the ability to provide opportunities to every1500district, then we can include our military nominations process,1501as well.1502    Then what you are talking about, sir, is the additional1503qualified individuals there. It comes to about 250 individuals1504or so. Those individuals are identified also by a whole person1505multiple and an incredibly active and robust admissions staff1506of 22 members that go through, similar to them, both objective1507and subjective insights into each individual record. In some1508cases individuals do not score very well in an imperfect1509system, which is the whole person multiple, and they are able1510to offer up some certain individuals, and that would be in that1511particular area that you are talking about.1512    We are looking for leaders of character. We are looking for1513gems out there that are going to be proven to not only can they1514succeed at the Naval Academy but they have a propensity to1515serve their Nation, for the Navy or the Marine Corps. That is1516what we are looking for, sir.1517    Senator Budd. Thank you very much. If this Subcommittee1518reached out for data on the class of 2028, I guess1519matriculating in 2024, would you be willing to provide that for1520the Subcommittee?1521    Vice Admiral Davids. Certainly, sir.1522    Senator Budd. Thank you very much. Chairman.1523    Senator Tuberville. Thank you, Senator Budd. I would be1524remiss if I did not bring up something about sports, and I1525would like one of you's thoughts about this. I have always felt1526that playing sports was invaluable to leadership development.1527Many of the cadets and midshipmen at your institutions are1528athletes participating on the various academy sports teams.1529They represent the best of your institutions and our country.1530    Occasionally--occasionally--some of these athletes develop1531to an elite level and are forced to forego living out their1532dreams of playing the sport they love at a professional level1533because of outdated, to me outdated, regulations governing1534their service obligations. I would like to see this year's NDAA1535reflect a serious commitment to these outstanding individuals.1536When appropriate, these cadets and midshipmen should graduate1537and commission with their classes, and defer their service1538obligation until their professional sports-playing careers are1539complete. These would be commissioned officers in our armed1540services subject to the same rules and regulations as their1541peers, while at the same time providing valuable exposure and1542increased visibility to the academics, while they play sports1543at the highest level.1544    I know that is not protocol for what we do as we speak. But1545General, I would like to get your thoughts on that. With an1546all-volunteer military now, we are looking for possible ways to1547get more and more young men and women involved in our1548academies.1549    Lieutenant General Gilland. Senator, the Army is a team1550contact sport. That is how I view the Army, and those men and1551women that are coming into the Army, regardless of their1552background and upbringing, better be prepared to get involved1553in a team contact sport, because that is what you all, as the1554citizens of our Nation, ask of us.1555    As a result, when we think through the development of1556leaders of character, I am looking for, it may not be the best1557player, because numbers do not always define somebody's1558potential. I am looking for the best player for the team, and1559for those individuals that have the elite capability to pursue1560professional sports, I absolutely support, and I think we have1561to look at measures, as you outlined, from a commissioning1562perspective, that would allow those individuals to go into that1563professional sport of whatever their talent is in, execute1564that, and then have them serve in the Army.1565    I think there are combinations of ways to do that, though1566not only Active service concurrent with their respective1567playing for a team. Of course, there are different things that1568have to go with that, with moving them around and such if they1569are traded. Or there is the deferral of the respective Active1570Duty service obligation that they have.1571    But I think that it results in multiple benefits, not only1572to each of our academies but I think it benefits our services1573also, through deliberate outreach and engagement that we would1574ask of those talented individuals.1575    Senator Tuberville. Thank you. Admiral?1576    Vice Admiral Davids. Sir, when I was a midshipman fourth1577class, Napoleon McCallum was in my upper class. The original1578admiral, David Robinson, was also in upper class. They were1579heroes of mine. I saw how brilliant they did in their careers1580to not only bring in incredible talent to the Navy, to the1581Naval Academy, as well as supporting our Nation. There are many1582ways to serve, sir, and they did brilliantly in that.1583    So I am a huge fan of it. I appreciate that we may look at1584this. I think that the return on investment is incredible, and1585I fully support it, sir.1586    Senator Tuberville. Thank you. General?1587    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Senator Tuberville, I also,1588as a freshman, looked up to one Chad Hennings, a monster of a1589football player.1590    Senator Tuberville. A big old boy.1591    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Yes, sir, and benefited1592greatly. He also, during that time, his value was not only was1593he an amazing football player but he also went out and served1594and flew combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom Desert1595Storm during that time, bringing both the recruiting values to1596bear, the service and the professional capabilities.1597    I believe where the NDAA is now, by giving us an1598opportunity of three per year is a great opportunity for us to1599pick those truly elite athletes that can go on to that next1600level. As a data point, over the last 5 years we have had 221601Air Force Academy cadets that have moved forward into1602professional sports. Thirteen met their first seasons, and1603unfortunately were not able to continue, and they came back to1604Active Duty, and nine are continuing, and over that time, that1605two to three is, I think, an opportunity for us to continue to1606go forward.1607    I would also ask, sir, as we have this conversation for pro1608sports, to have a fulsome conversation of the impact of the1609transfer portal on our Military Service Academies and how that1610is taking young men and women away from service to the Nation1611until they have had an opportunity to blossom as leaders.1612    Senator Tuberville. Yes. Well, that is a great point, and I1613look forward to visiting with all three of you about this1614before our NDAA is put together this June. I know it is a huge1615problem, and I can understand it is a huge problem for you1616also. Again, I want to sit down with all three of you before we1617get to that point in June, and hopefully we can work something1618out. Because I think it would be a great tool for all of you,1619for recruiting, because you all take our best and brightest.1620All of us, all the Senators, and Congressmen, we have an1621opportunity to send the best young men and women we possibly1622have in our states, and you do a great job with them.1623    I want to thank you for coming today. This a fact-finding1624mission. We have not done it in 30 years. We will do it again1625next year, and hopefully we will make it bigger and brighter.1626We just want to enlighten people about what you do, because1627leadership, discipline, teamwork is everything that goes along1628with what our country is about. Again, it is so, so, important.1629    We cannot really do this enough, but thanks again for what1630you do, how you do it, and tell all of your cadets and1631midshipmen that we are for them, and I look forward to being on1632the Board of Visitors at the Air Force Academy this year and1633visiting with you. Again, you are our future, and we hope you1634use our young people at your convenience but also give them the1635best and brightest future they can possibly get. Because we are1636going to go as a country as how they go.1637    Thanks again. This has been a good hearing, and this1638hearing is adjourned. Thank you.1639    [Whereupon, at 3:57 p.m., the Committee adjourned.]16401641                            APPENDIX1642[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]16431644    [Questions for the record with answers supplied follow:]16451646                Questions Submitted by Senator Ted Budd1647                   service academy admissions process1648    1. Senator Budd. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral Davids,1649and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, during the admissions process, how1650often does your respective military service academy deviate from the1651order of merit list when you are permitted to do so, and would you1652agree to provide this data to the Personnel Subcommittee for the class1653of 2028?1654    Lieutenant General Gilland. USMA conducts its admissions process in1655accordance with statute (10 USC Sec.  7442). All candidates must be1656nominated by law. The nomination requirement drives almost all order of1657merit (OML) deviations.1658    OML at USMA is measured by Whole Candidate Score (WCS), a1659quantification that accounts for scholarship, leadership and physical1660fitness aspects of a candidate's file. We admit candidates outside of a1661strict OML in the following ways:16621663      Nominees from Members of Congress (MoC): A cadet1664candidate from any Senator's State or Congressman's district, may have1665a lower WCS than a candidate from another MoC's State or district who1666is denied admission.16671668      MoC Slating of Own Nominees: USMA is bound by the1669prioritization of any nominating MoC (assuming minimum standards for1670admission are satisfied). If a MoC identifies a particular candidate1671with a lower WCS than another in his State or district as his primary1672nominee, the lower WCS candidate would displace a higher one. MoCs can1673also choose to enumerate nominees from within their State or district1674without regard to OML.16751676      Children of Members of Armed Forces: Those candidates1677satisfying the nomination requirement by being the children of Armed1678Forces members who were KIA, MIA, 100 percent disabled veterans, or a1679Medal of Honor recipient, may result in an overall OML deviation. There1680is no OML deviation permitted, however, from within this nomination1681category. Additionally, candidates satisfying the nomination1682requirement through the President's authority to nominate up to 1001683children of Active Duty and Retired Armed may result in an overall OML1684deviation. There is no OML deviation permitted, however, from within1685this nomination category.16861687      Enlisted Soldiers: Those candidates satisfying the1688nomination requirement through the Secretary of the Army's authority to1689nominate enlisted members of the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and from1690ROTC, may result in an overall OML deviation. There is no OML deviation1691permitted, however, from within this nomination category.16921693    For those candidates satisfying the nomination requirement through1694the Secretary of the Army's Qualified Alternate basis (10 USC Sec.16957442(b)(5) permits 200 Qualified Alternates per year), there is no1696deviation from the OML within the nomination category. Qualified1697Alternates come from the nominees presented by MoCs, but who do not win1698the statutorily limited number of cadets from any MoC's State or1699district.1700    Vice Admiral Davids. When making offers of appointment to1701candidates who may be charged as additional appointees (10 USC1702Sec. 8456(b)), the Naval Academy may deviate from the Whole Person1703Multiple (WPM), USNA's version of order of merit. For the Class of17042029, there will likely be 150-175 additional appointees (the vast1705majority with congressional nominations), most of whom are well-1706qualified recruited athletes whose WPMs were affected by their1707participation in their high school sports activities, which often1708precluded other activities. Other additional appointees often include1709Naval Academy Preparatory School candidates who were precluded from1710being charged against another nomination source, as they are counted as1711members of the Navy Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve limited to 851712under 10 U.S.C. Sec. 8454(b)(3). The Personnel Subcommittee is welcome1713to review our appointee data for the Class of 2028. The Department of1714the Navy additionally provides an annual briefing on the number of1715appointees in each appointment category as requested in House Report1716118-301, the Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the National1717Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2024.1718    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA is in compliance with 10 USC1719Sec. 9442 and 9443. As we ensure the best and brightest across the1720United States of America are selected to attend USAFA, we rely on three1721critical aspects:17221723    1)  Congressional Nominations17241725    2)  Selection Composite Score17261727    3)  Unique Skill Sets valued and required by DAF and USAFA17281729    Our first charge is to address the congressional nomination slates1730to include both Principal and Competitive nominations. USAFA selects1731all Principal nominations if they meet standards. Principal nominations1732comprise approximately 30 percent of all nominations. USAFA leverages1733our Selection Composite Score to select from congressional Competitive1734nomination slates. Congressional Competitive nominations comprise1735approximately 40 percent of all nominations. Thus, approximately 701736percent of USAFA nominations come from congressional sources.1737    Our next priority is to select the Top 200 qualified alternates in1738accordance with 10 USC Sec. 9443. We use the Selection Composite Score1739in this process.1740    We also value those unique skills provided by our prior enlisted1741who have demonstrated leadership in service, and recruited Division 11742athletes who have demonstrated athletic, leadership, and teamwork1743skills (grit, tenacity and communication).1744    We will work with the DAF and OSD to provide the requested data.17451746    2. Senator Budd. Vice Admiral Davids, in 2020, the Institute for1747Defense Analyses issued a report on the academy attrition. The report1748said, ``SAT/ACT scores are significantly associated with higher1749graduation probabilities at USMA [United States Military Academy] based1750on research conducted by the RAND Corporation in 2015. In a subsequent1751report, SAT scores were a significant predictor of success at USAFA1752[United States Air Force Academy], with higher scores associated with a1753higher likelihood of graduation. The researchers recommended increasing1754the academic composite weighting of academy applicants, since these1755increased the likelihood of graduation.'' Has the Naval Academy1756increased the academic composite weighting since 2020? If not, why not?1757    Vice Admiral Davids. Yes, the Naval Academy increased the academic1758composite in the Whole Person Multiple commencing with the Class of17592029.17601761                               __________1762            Questions Submitted by Senator Elizabeth Warren1763                   transgender cadets and midshipmen1764    3. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral Davids,1765and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, the Trump administration and1766Secretary Hegseth have taken several actions to attempt to ban1767transgender servicemembers from serving in the military. What actions1768have you taken to implement these executive orders and directives at1769the service academies, and on what dates?1770    Lieutenant General Gilland. None. USMA has no transgender cadets.1771    Vice Admiral Davids. In response to executive orders and1772directives, I have taken the following action:17731774      On March 17, 2025, via email I informed all USNA1775midshipmen and service members of voluntary separation procedures for1776those with a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibiting symptoms1777consistent with, gender dysphoria. I also explained that voluntary1778separation requests must be submitted no later than March 28, 2025. I1779provided links to the associated ALNAV and NAVADMIN messages and1780encouraged individuals with questions to engage with a medical1781provider, legal office, and/or their chain of command. Finally, I1782provided the contact information of a Navy Judge Advocate who is1783available to provide confidential legal advice to midshipmen and staff1784on the matter.17851786      On April 3, 2025, via email I informed all USNA1787midshipmen and servicemembers that, due to court order, the Department1788of the Navy is currently prohibited from implementing policy recently1789directed through Executive Orders and Department of Defense directives.1790I also provided a link to the associated ALNAV message and encouraged1791individuals with questions to engage with a medical provider, legal1792office, and/or their chain of command. Furthermore, I provided the1793contact information of a Navy Judge Advocate who is available to1794provide confidential legal advice to midshipmen and staff on the1795matter.17961797    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind.17981799      On 4 Feb 2025, USAFA received and complied with the1800Office of the Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve1801Affairs (SAF/MR) guidance.18021803      On 2 Apr 2025, USAFA received and complied with SAF/MR1804Memorandum, Additional Guidance for Executive Order 14183,1805``Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness,'' 2 April 2025, to1806pause until further notice all actions directed by Executive Orders1807related to transgender personnel.18081809      On 8 May 2025, USAFA received the Secretary of Defense1810memo, ``Implementing Policy on Prioritizing Military Excellence and1811Readiness,'' 8 May 2025, and on 9 May 2025, the DAF received SAF/MR1812initial guidance on this policy.18131814    4. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral Davids,1815and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, do you anticipate that transgender1816cadets or midshipmen at each of your respective academies will be1817permitted to graduate?1818    Lieutenant General Gilland. USMA has no transgender cadets.1819    Vice Admiral Davids. Midshipmen who satisfactorily meet all1820graduation requirements in accordance with USNA Instruction 1531.49C1821will be permitted to graduate.1822    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Yes. USAFA's transgender cadets1823received their degrees.18241825    5. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral Davids,1826and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, have you removed, temporarily1827suspended, or taken any other action to pause the ability for1828transgender cadets or midshipmen to be enrolled in or participate, in1829the same location and manner as non-transgender cadets or midshipmen,1830in programs, courses, and extracurricular activities at each of your1831respective academies? If so, please provide details on these actions.1832    Lieutenant General Gilland. N/A.1833    Vice Admiral Davids. No.1834    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. In compliance with initial1835executive orders and to ensure our transgender cadets could continue to1836meet their academic requirements, USAFA temporarily paused Military1837Training activities for our transgender cadets. After receiving the1838SAF/MR Memorandum, Additional Guidance for Executive Order 14183,1839``Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness,'' cadets returned to1840all Military Training activities.18411842    6. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral Davids,1843and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, do you anticipate that transgender1844cadets or midshipmen at each of your respective academies will be1845permitted to commission after graduating?1846    Lieutenant General Gilland. N/A1847    Vice Admiral Davids. Midshipmen who satisfactorily meet all1848graduation requirements in accordance with USNA Instruction 1531.49C1849and meet medical accession standards are eligible to be commissioned by1850the President upon graduation.1851    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA received guidance from DOD1852and the DAF on the commissioning of our transgender cadets. Graduating1853transgender cadets will not be commissioned.18541855    7. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral Davids,1856and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, have you required or do you plan to1857require any transgender cadets or midshipmen to attend classes1858virtually that non-transgender cadets or midshipmen attend in person?1859    Lieutenant General Gilland. N/A1860    Vice Admiral Davids. No. I have not required, and am not currently1861planning to require, any midshipmen to attend classes virtually.1862    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. In compliance with the initial1863Executive Orders and to ensure cadets could continue to meet their1864academic requirements, we provided the voluntary opportunity for our1865transgender cadets to attend classes virtually. One cadet attended1866classes virtually. After the 2 Apr guidance, all transgender cadets1867attended in-person classes.18681869    8. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral Davids,1870and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, have you required or are you1871planning to require any transgender cadets or midshipmen to move to1872living quarters corresponding to their birth sex?1873    Lieutenant General Gilland. N/A1874    Vice Admiral Davids. No. I have not required, and am not currently1875planning to require, any impacted midshipmen to move to living quarters1876corresponding to their birth sex.1877    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Since the beginning of the academic1878year, all three of our transgender cadets have been in single-person1879rooms, as is typical with some senior cadets. Note, not all senior1880cadets have their own rooms, as there is insufficient space to1881accommodate this. Between the time of OSD/DAF guidance and the1882injunction, we made single-rooms available close to single-occupancy1883hygiene facilities. After the injunction, cadets returned to their1884original single-rooms.18851886    9. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral Davids,1887and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, have you required or are you1888planning to require any transgender cadets or midshipmen to stay in1889separate or isolated living quarters?1890    Lieutenant General Gilland. N/A1891    Vice Admiral Davids. No. I have not required, and am not currently1892planning to require, any impacted midshipmen to stay in separate or1893isolated living quarters.1894    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Since the beginning of the academic1895year, all three of our transgender cadets have been in single-person1896rooms, as is typical with some senior cadets. Note, not all senior1897cadets have their own rooms, as there is insufficient space to1898accommodate this.18991900    10. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral1901Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, please describe actions you1902have taken regarding treatment of transgender cadets or midshipmen to1903comply with orders issued by U.S. District Courts in applicable1904litigation, including Talbott v. Trump and Shilling v. Trump.1905    Lieutenant General Gilland. N/A1906    Vice Admiral Davids. In response to the litigation, on April 3,19072025, via email, I informed all USNA midshipmen and service members1908that, due to court order, the Department of the Navy is currently1909prohibited from implementing policy recently directed through Executive1910Orders and Department of Defense directives. I also provided a link to1911the associated ALNAV message and encouraged individuals with questions1912to engage with a medical provider, legal office, and/or their chain of1913command. Furthermore, I provided the contact information of a Navy1914Judge Advocate who is available to provide confidential legal advice to1915midshipmen and staff on the matter.1916    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA has complied with all court-1917ordered preliminary injunctions. Throughout this process we have1918supported our transgender cadets including access to health1919professionals, legal advisors, our alumni support network, and academic1920counselors.19211922    11. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral1923Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, how many transgender cadets1924or midshipmen are enrolled in each of your academies? Please provide a1925breakdown of the number of cadets or midshipmen enrolled by class year.1926    Lieutenant General Gilland. None.1927    Vice Admiral Davids. I am currently aware of one transgender1928midshipman who is a member of the Class of 2026 (junior).1929    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. We are aware of three (3) cadets1930(Class of 2025).1931                     sexual assault and harassment1932    12. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral1933Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, should cadets or midshipmen1934who report sexual assault be prosecuted if their report does not result1935in a successful conviction?1936    Lieutenant General Gilland. No.1937    Vice Admiral Davids. No, a midshipman should not be prosecuted on1938the basis of whether a sexual assault report results in a successful1939conviction.1940    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. No. Lack of a successful conviction1941only proves the complaint was not able to meet the burden of proof. Any1942minor collateral misconduct discovered is also not eligible for1943prosecution under DOD's ``Safe to Report'' policy.19441945    13. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral1946Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, how should cadets or1947midshipmen who report sexual assault be treated if their report does1948not result in a successful conviction?1949    Lieutenant General Gilland. Fairly and with dignity and respect.1950    Vice Admiral Davids. The Department of Defense encourages greater1951sexual assault reporting to connect victims with care and services1952needed to recover, as well as to have the opportunity to hold alleged1953offenders appropriately accountable. For that purpose, we have both1954Restricted and Unrestricted reporting options. When making Unrestricted1955sexual assault reports, midshipmen should be treated with respect1956throughout the entirety of the reporting, investigation, and resolution1957process--regardless of whether their report leads to a conviction.1958There are many protections, services, and resources available to help1959victims recover after both kinds of sexual assault reports. Some of the1960resources that support midshipmen who experienced sexual assault1961include access to confidential counseling with a staff psychologist,1962regular check-ins with their victim advocate and SAPR office, and the1963ability to apply to the Naval Academy's On Ramp Program so they can1964receive extra time and accommodations with school assignments. We also1965support victims of sexual assault through our physical separation1966policies, which include the ability to request class and/or company1967reassignments, request a leave of absence away from the Naval Academy,1968or expedited transfer to another Service Academy if the victim filed an1969Unrestricted Report.1970    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Regardless of conviction results,1971USAFA's first priority is to ensure cadets who report a sexual assault1972receive Advocacy and Support Services such as health professionals,1973legal advisors, support networks and counselors. USAFA recognized the1974complexity of proving sexual assault cases. Regardless of a successful1975or unsuccessful conviction, our priority is the care of the cadet and1976providing a pathway of healing and support. While every unrestricted1977report is investigated by the Office of Special Investigations and1978assessed by the Office of Special Trial Council, our first concern is1979always advocacy, support and healing.19801981    14. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral1982Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, do you support allowing1983women who have become pregnant or started families to return to each of1984your respective academies?1985    Lieutenant General Gilland. Yes. We have a process for when this1986situation arises that is in accordance with law, DOD, and Army policy.1987    Vice Admiral Davids. Yes, USNA follows DOD Instruction 1322.22--1988Military Service Academies, which allows for midshipmen (both men and1989women) to request a leave of absence for the delivery and care of their1990dependent child, and then, after establishing a family care plan (just1991as single active duty parents provide before deployments), return to1992the Academy.1993    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA supports the CADET Act to1994enable cadets to retain their parental rights. The CADET Act allows1995cadets who become parents administrative time off to focus on1996themselves and their families until they can return to meet the1997military, academic, and athletic demands at USAFA (utilizing a1998validated Family Care Plan).19992000    15. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2001Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, do you support allowing men2002who have started families to return to each of your respective2003academies?2004    Lieutenant General Gilland. Yes. We have a process for when this2005situation arises that is in accordance with law, DOD, and Army policy.2006    Vice Admiral Davids. Yes, USNA follows DOD Instruction 1322.22--2007Military Service Academies, which allows for midshipmen (both men and2008women) to request a leave of absence for the delivery and care of their2009dependent child, and then, after establishing a family care plan (just2010as single active duty parents provide before deployments), return to2011the Academy.2012    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA supports the CADET Act to2013enable cadets to retain their parental rights. The CADET Act allows2014cadets who become parents administrative time off to focus on2015themselves and their families until they can return to meet the2016military, academic, and athletic demands at USAFA (utilizing a2017validated Family Care Plan).20182019    16. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2020Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, what steps have you taken2021at each of your academies to implement the requirements in the Fiscal2022Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act and the Department of2023Defense guidance in response to these requirements that, ``A cadet or2024midshipman who becomes pregnant may be granted a leave of absence for2025good cause by the [military service academy] superintendent?''2026    Lieutenant General Gilland. We follow the law as implemented by DOD2027policy and have put cadets on a leave of absence following a2028notification of pregnancy.2029    Vice Admiral Davids. The U.S. Naval Academy has implemented policy2030whereupon learning that a midshipman is to become a parent, they are2031counseled on their options: (1) request a transfer to the Senior2032Reserve Officer Training Corps; (2) request a leave of absence; (3)2033transfer parental rights to a legal guardian or caregiver (to include2034adoption); or (4) voluntarily resign. Midshipmen are able to seek legal2035advice through the local Navy legal assistance office, and are given2036resources to develop a family care plan, if applicable. They are also2037encouraged to speak with a chaplain and counselor.2038    The Brigade has been briefed on this policy at the beginning of2039each of the last four semesters, and all staff members in Bancroft Hall2040(the USNA dormitory) know to inform Commandant's Legal when a2041midshipman reports pregnancy or parenthood, such that they can be2042informed of their options.2043    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA complies with the Fiscal Year20442022 National Defense Authorization Act and Department of Defense2045guidance regarding cadets who become pregnant. USAFA authorizes2046administrative time off for cadets who become parents to focus on2047themselves and their families until they can return to meet the2048military, academic, and athletic demands at USAFA (utilizing a2049validated Family Care Plan).20502051    17. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2052Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, in how many cases have you2053granted a leave of absence when requested by a cadet or midshipmen in2054accordance with this policy?2055    Lieutenant General Gilland. Since the policy's implementation,2056three Cadets have been offered a medical leave of absence. One pregnant2057cadet accepted. The other two refused and opted to stay at USMA as long2058as possible.2059    Vice Admiral Davids. There have been no requests for a leave of2060absence during my 15 months as the Naval Academy Superintendent.2061    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Since the Fiscal Year 2022 National2062Defense Authorization Act, USAFA has granted three requests for a leave2063of absence in accordance with this policy.20642065    18. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2066Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, in how many cases have you2067denied a leave of absence when requested by a cadet or midshipmen in2068accordance with this policy? Please provide the reason for these2069denials.2070    Lieutenant General Gilland. None.2071    Vice Admiral Davids. I have not denied any requests for a leave of2072absence.2073    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. None.20742075    19. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2076Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, how do you consider the2077impact of experiences of sexual assault and harassment on cadets and2078midshipmen before discharging them from each of your respective2079academies?2080    Lieutenant General Gilland. Consistent with Army processes for2081enlisted and officer involuntary separations, the command reviews the2082circumstances and grounds for every involuntary separation which2083includes whether the cadet has made an unrestricted report of sexual2084assault.2085    Vice Admiral Davids. All midshipmen separations are considered on a2086case-by-case basis, considering the facts surrounding the separation2087issue (academic, physical, aptitude, honor, conduct, resignation,2088etc.), mitigating and aggravating circumstances, in accordance with2089applicable policy and the midshipman's suitability for commissioning.2090Our processes take a ``whole person'' approach that considers all2091manner of factors impacting the individual. If a midshipman has2092disclosed an incident of sexual assault or harassment, that information2093will be considered in mitigation/extenuation, depending on the2094separation issue.2095    Specific to disciplinary proceedings, USNA has fully implemented2096the DOD/DON Safe to Report Policies (DODI 6495.02, volume 1, and SECNAV2097memo of 29 Jun 22),2098    which prohibit disciplinary action for an adult sexual assault2099victim's alleged minor collateral misconduct (e.g., underage drinking)2100that might be in time, place, or circumstance associated with the2101victim's sexual assault incident. These policies aim to eliminate2102barriers to victims reporting sexual assault and when such2103circumstances arise, where the Office of Special Trial Counsel has2104deferred jurisdiction concerning the issue of collateral conduct to the2105commander, my staff pauses disciplinary proceedings pending a decision2106from me, in consultation with legal, regarding whether the application2107of disciplinary action is warranted under case is the Safe to Report2108policy.2109    Finally, if a midshipman is separated from the Naval Academy, I2110thoroughly review each case to determine the appropriate separation2111codes and characterization of service (e.g., Honorable, General).2112Similar to the above separation decision, I consider all mitigating and2113aggravating circumstances when assigning (or recommending to ASN (M&RA)2114for cases in which I am not the final separation authority) such2115designations.2116    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. All cadet disenrollments are2117considered on a case-by-case basis, considering the facts surrounding2118the separation issue, all mitigating and aggravating circumstances, and2119the cadet's suitability for commissioning. A cadet's disclosure of2120sexual assault or sexual harassment is considered as a mitigating or2121extenuating factor prior to a disenrollment decision in alignment with2122DOD's ``Safe to Report'' Policy. This policy encourages reporting of2123sexual assault by not penalizing cadets for minor collateral misconduct2124when their report of sexual assault coincides with any alleged2125misconduct.2126    USAFA procedures ensure all disenrolled cadets, both voluntary and2127involuntary, have access to resources. For cadets who have reported2128sexual assault and sexual harassment, victim advocacy services continue2129to be offered. USAFA assists with the transition of care to the local2130Veterans Administration (VA) via the VA Military Sexual Trauma (MST)2131coordinator and the VA medical/mental health care. In addition, USAFA2132provides contact information for local survivors' resources as well as2133local military sexual assault survivors' resources. In the event an2134Unrestricted Report is made at the time of out-processing, SAPR follows2135all processes as outlined in the Department of the Air Force and2136Department of Defense mandated policies.21372138    20. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2139Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, how many cadets or2140midshipmen who were discharged before graduation in the last 5 years2141alleged they had been sexually assaulted or harassed before they were2142discharged?2143    Lieutenant General Gilland. Of the 82 sexual assaults reported to2144the command in the last 5 years, 21 cadets were discharged. Fourteen2145were medical separations, five were Unqualified Resignations (UQR), and2146two were separated for honor or misconduct.2147    Of the 32 formal sexual harassment complaints filed in the last 52148years, four cadets were discharged. Two were medical separations, and2149two were UQRs.2150    Not all reports and complaints were substantiated. Additionally,2151there are many reasons why a cadet may be separated that are2152independent and unrelated to an allegation of sexual assault or2153harassment. Finally, if a cadet has made a report of sexual assault or2154harassment, the command considers this fact when determining the2155appropriate outcome of the action.2156    Vice Admiral Davids. USNA requires that all midshipmen who are2157voluntary or involuntarily discharged meet with the Sexual Assault2158Prevention and Response (SAPR) Response Office as part of the check-out2159process to receive last minute support and civilian resource2160information (if needed). In the event an Unrestricted Report is made at2161this time, the SAPR Victim Advocate immediately notifies the CoC as is2162standard practice. In the last 5 years, 31 discharged midshipmen2163reported a sexual assault or harassment.2164    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. In the last 5 years, 7 cadets who2165reported being sexually assaulted or sexually harassed were2166involuntarily separated for misconduct unrelated to a sexual assault2167report or sexual harassment complaint. In the last 5 years, 14 cadets2168who reported being sexually assaulted or sexually harassed voluntarily2169separated from USAFA. In total, 21 cadets who reported being sexually2170assaulted or sexually harassed have departed USAFA over the last 52171years.21722173    21. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2174Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, do you believe that there2175should be non-mandatory reporters for sexual assault and harassment at2176each of your academies? If not, why not?2177    Lieutenant General Gilland. Yes. Non-mandatory reporters play a2178vital role in supporting victims and advancing the goals of the SHARP2179program. They are often the first individuals a victim turns to during2180a crisis. Victims who feel heard and supported are more likely to seek2181help through official SHARP channels.2182    USMA policy mandates that all non-mandatory reporters to contact2183the SHARP office if they become aware of a sexual assault or sexual2184harassment. West Point personnel receive specific training to prepare2185for these sensitive encounters because the initial response can shape a2186victim's recovery.2187    Vice Admiral Davids. The decision to report a sexual assault is a2188deeply personal one. Should someone desire to make a report, the2189Department has provided the means and the resources to connect the2190victim with the support they need to recover. USNA values the2191importance in the flexibility that non-mandatory reporters provide to2192victims of sexual assault. Not only do our specialized support billets2193(Medical, Chaplains, SAPR Staff, etc.) have confidentiality, but our2194uniformed faculty and staff members outside the chain of command of the2195victim also maintain a ``non-mandatory reporter'' status. As non-2196mandatory reporters, members outside the chain of command (to include2197all midshipman), are not required to report a disclosure of sexual2198assault but may do so as a matter of discretion. Allowing non-mandatory2199reporters to exist allows for honest conversations between peers and2200colleagues, allowing the victim space to consider their reporting2201options.2202    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA values and leverages both2203mandatory and non-mandatory reporters. A dual system provides cadets2204with safe pathways to disclosure and support while ensuring2205accountability where required.2206    Our non-mandatory reporters include specialized support billets2207(Medical, Chaplains, SAPR Staff, etc.) and select permanent party2208members outside the chain of command. Our non-mandatory reporters2209receive specific training on helping agencies so they can support and2210direct cadets to the appropriate resource or office.22112212    22. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2213Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, have you removed,2214eliminated, or decreased the scope of any programs, events, campaigns,2215observances, or other policies relating to sexual assault prevention2216and harassment since beginning your time as Superintendent at each of2217your respective academies? If so, please provide specific information2218on each of these changes and your justification for doing so.2219    Lieutenant General Gilland. No.2220    Vice Admiral Davids. USNA has made administrative edits (i.e.,2221replacing ``gender'' with ``sex'') to the SHAPE peer-led curriculum and2222GUIDE training, but our critical work in the mission remains unchanged.2223USNA observed Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) in2224April 2025 as an opportunity to further expand on sexual assault2225awareness and prevention education and to show our support for the2226survivors among us. The events, displays, and speakers for SAAPM 20252227have undergone rigorous evaluation to ensure that they are meeting the2228intent of SAAPM.2229    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA has not removed, eliminated,2230or decreased the scope of any programs, events, campaigns, observances,2231or other policies relating to sexual assault and harassment prevention.2232We have enhanced our cadet-led helping and support liaison programs to2233mirror the operational Air Force and Space Force organizational2234structure. As such, USAFA transitioned the ``Teal Rope'' program into2235Cadet Wing Integrated Prevention and Response (IPR) Cadet Liaisons.2236Cadet IPR Liaisons support their cadet squadrons and advise their cadet2237leadership to foster a positive unit culture. IPRs act as a resource2238for cadets seeking information or support related to helping agencies2239and support services. Overall, USAFA adjusted aspects of certain events2240to align with uniform standards of the profession of arms.2241    Furthermore, USAFA hosted the 2024 National Discussion on Sexual2242Assault and Harassment, held ``Take Back the Night'' events, and is in2243the final stages of offering an Interpersonal Foundations Course as2244part of the core curriculum for all cadets.2245    USAFA is laser-focused on violence prevention actions, as2246demonstrated in our institutional efforts on the Climate Transformation2247Task Force (CTTF), which purposefully aligned the ``Let's Be Clear''2248campaign with DOD and DAF efforts. CTTF is a USAFA-wide effort to adapt2249our organizational culture that produce warfighter-leaders who2250understand interpersonal leadership skills, ultimately leading to2251enduring change in how we reduce unit level risk factors associated2252with sexual assault.22532254    23. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2255Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, have you signed or do you2256intend to sign the Sexual Assault Awareness Prevention proclamation?2257    Lieutenant General Gilland. Yes.2258    Vice Admiral Davids. USNA has not signed a formal proclamation for2259Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) 2025. Instead,2260the Naval Academy internally shared a video featuring USNA leadership2261that introduces SAAPM and highlights the importance of sexual assault2262prevention and response.2263    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA institutionally supports2264several Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention activities, such as the2265National Discussion on Sexual Assault and Harassment (USAFA hosted in22662024), ``Take Back the Night'', and most recently, established the2267Interpersonal Foundations Course to be launched in the fall of 2025.2268Additionally, Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM)2269events were executed the month of April. Greater emphasis for2270educational opportunities extends into the academic school year with2271the assistance of Cadet Wing Integrated Prevention and Response (IPR)2272Cadet Liaisons. IPRs act as a resource for cadets seeking information2273or support related to helping agencies and support services. They2274support their cadet squadrons and advise their cadet leadership to2275foster a positive unit climate. Finally, we are in the last stages of2276publishing our ``Leadership Imperative for Violence Prevention''2277strategy.22782279    24. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2280Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, does your academy have a2281``teal rope'' program for peer liaisons for the Sexual Assault2282Prevention and Response (SAPR) office?2283    Lieutenant General Gilland. In 2022, USMA created the ACT--2284Addressing Sexual Assault/Sexual Harassment, Creating Healthy Climates,2285Tackling Holistic Health--program. After undergoing dedicated2286prevention training, select upperclass cadets serve as company-level2287peer-educators and conduits to professional resources. Since its2288inception, more than 250 cadets have been assigned. While select cadets2289serve as ACT leaders, we emphasize that every cadet is an ACT cadet and2290has the responsibility to support their teammates, lead by example, and2291maintain a safe, professional climate built on trust and mutual2292respect.2293    Vice Admiral Davids. USNA Teal Rope equivalent are the SHAPE and2294the GUIDE teams. The Sexual Harassment Assault Prevention Education2295(SHAPE) team consists of 90 Midshipmen peer educators who train the2296Brigade in small group sessions as part of the comprehensive 4 year/13-2297hour SHAPE curriculum. The Guidance, Understanding, Information,2298Direction and Education (GUIDE) team consists of 105 Midshipman2299distributed throughout every company and provides Guidance,2300Understanding, Information, Direction and Education to members of2301Brigade who have experienced a sexual assault or who seek more2302information/resources on the topic. The GUIDEs wear a small teal pin on2303their uniforms to distinguish themselves as a resource in the Brigade.2304Both the SHAPE and GUIDE teams are a part of the infrastructure within2305the Brigade to ensure maximum integration amongst all midshipman2306support programs.2307    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA transitioned from a ``Teal2308Rope'' program to a formal cadet squadron Special Staff program in2309order to enhance the support and better align with the operational Air2310Force and Space Force organizational structure. USAFA transitioned the2311``Teal Rope'' program into the Cadet Wing Integrated Prevention and2312Response (IPR) Cadet Liaisons. The Cadet IPR Liaisons serve as advisors2313to cadet leadership to foster a positive unit culture. IPRs also act as2314a resource for cadets seeking information or support related to helping2315agencies and support services.23162317    25. Senator Warren. Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, what is the2318status of the Air Force Academy's ``Let's Be Clear'' Campaign?2319    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. The USAFA ``Let's Be Clear'' (LBC)2320campaign was merged with the DOD-led Climate Transformation Task Force2321(CTTF), culminating in actions aimed at reducing the prevalence of2322sexual assault and sexual harassment at the military service academies.2323The actions targeted known unit climate risk factors associated with2324incidents of interpersonal violence, such as prolonged stressful2325training environments, barriers and stigma around seeking mental health2326support and integrating interpersonal violence prevention skills into2327cadet professional development curriculum. USAFA took 125 actions,2328transformed them into a unified effort across the whole USAFA2329installation, and executed 17 Lines of Effort to robust the initial LBC2330campaign. Examples of USAFA's efforts include addressing transparency2331of accountability, improving hiring practices of training staff, and2332fortifying interpersonal violence prevention training for cadets and2333permanent party members.2334                               __________2335             Questions Submitted by Senator Mazie K. Hirono2336                  recruitment in minority communities2337    26. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2338Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, having an officer corps2339that represents the diversity of the country it protects and the people2340it leads is a force multiplier which gives our Armed Forces an2341advantage over our adversaries. Given the restrictions imposed by2342recent executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion2343(DEI), are your admissions teams still able to focus recruiting efforts2344on underrepresented communities to ensure the officer corps becomes2345more reflective of the diversity of the country?2346    Lieutenant General Gilland. The Corps of Cadets represents every2347part of America, and our goal is to ensure that it continues to do so.2348However, there are congressional districts that do not maximize their2349allocations of 15 candidates. To that end, our recruiting efforts are2350focused on identifying and recruiting candidates from those2351congressional districts that do not maximize their allocations.2352    Vice Admiral Davids. Currently, we are not aware of any2353restrictions which would limit our ability to recruit any potential2354candidates from across the country.2355    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA continues to direct our2356outreach and recruiting efforts to leadership, aviation, and STEM2357focused events where we are best positioned to find qualified2358candidates from a wide range of backgrounds who meet our USAFA2359priorities of Warfighters to Win, Leaders of Character and Quality, and2360Critical Thinkers to Adapt. This includes USAFA Admissions recruiting2361in ``Opportunity Districts'' where we can leverage congressional2362vacancies where there is an above average propensity to serve in the2363military, eligibility to serve in the military, and desire to attend a23644-year college or university. USAFA seeks to conduct outreach where all2365potential candidates are informed of the opportunity.23662367    27. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2368Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, do you feel you still have2369clear guidance and sufficient flexibility to recruit the best and2370brightest cadets and midshipmen from every corner of this country?2371    Lieutenant General Gilland. Yes.2372    Vice Admiral Davids. Yes.2373    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Yes.2374                       sexual assault/harassment2375    28. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2376Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, according to the Department2377of Defense's 2023-2024 report, an estimated 457 women and 327 men at2378the service academies experienced unwanted sexual contact. The DOD2379reports that only 1 in 8 cadets or midshipmen who experience sexual2380assault choose to report it. Many survivors remain reluctant to report2381incidents due to fears of retaliation, lack of trust in leadership, or2382uncertainty about support services. How are each of your academies2383evolving sexual assault prevention training to better reflect cadet and2384midshipmen experiences, and what measures are in place to evaluate the2385effectiveness of those programs?2386    Lieutenant General Gilland. While we recognize that the decision to2387report sexual assault is a personal one that takes courage, the command2388encourages 100 percent reporting to ensure accountability of actions.2389Regardless of a cadet's decision to report, we are committed to2390ensuring sexual assault victims get the help they need. We deliberately2391and proactively communicate the availability of these resources to2392cadets in various ways.2393    USMA has rigorously worked to address the reluctance to report and2394concerns of retaliation. Our efforts include leader-driven SHARP2395training informed by our team of professionals and Corps-wide2396activities to promote a supportive climate. The command's intent is to2397foster an environment in which seeking support is seen as the enactment2398of strong character and engaged leadership--whether by leading yourself2399or leading a cohesive team where members feel equipped to perform at2400their best. Readiness is best achieved if these foundational conditions2401are met.2402    Ultimately, this is about character. We believe and emphasize that2403character is prevention, and prevention is character. Our efforts and2404training focus on sustaining and strengthening the professional2405climate, built on trust, dignity, and respect that is necessary for2406Cadets to develop into leaders of character who live honorably, lead2407honorably, and demonstrate excellence as Army officers.2408    Vice Admiral Davids. No midshipmen should have to fear retaliation2409for reporting a sexual assault or sexual harassment. USNA continues to2410educate about retaliation and offer support services through the2411Midshipman GUIDEs, in the supplemental SHAPE curriculum, and through2412leadership action. The SHAPE curriculum underwent a National Opinion2413Research Center (NORC) evaluation from the fall of 2021 to the spring24142023 and the training itself has internal feedback methods and program2415metrics that contribute to curriculum updates. USNA has also taken2416great effort to comprehensively screen and train all Company Officers2417and Senior Enlisted leaders and utilizes leadership positions both2418within and outside the brigade to emphasize the importance of dignity2419and respect. USNA has created resources to equip midshipmen to engage2420in bystander intervention and has vastly expanded support services2421available to victims who file Restricted Reports. By providing2422additional support for victims who want to maintain confidentiality,2423USNA hopes to see a higher reporting rate in future reports.2424    In the last 5 years, there has been 1 report of retaliation2425associated with a sexual assault case. DOD actively prohibits2426retaliation and requires the Services to report and investigate2427retaliation allegations Anyone who believes they are experiencing2428retaliation can go directly to the DOD Inspector General--or get more2429information about available help and reporting avenues from their SARC.2430Unrestricted Reporting allows victims of sexual assault to report2431retaliation in the SAPR program. USNA policy immediately escalates any2432retaliation report to Superintendent/Commandant level for immediate2433investigative action and appropriate recommendation from the Office of2434Special Trial Council (OSTC).2435    The results of the 2024 survey of cadets and midshipmen at the2436Academies indicate USNA's efforts have increased midshipman trust in2437leadership. Specifically, as compared to the 2022 survey, trust that2438the Naval Academy will protect their privacy following a reported2439incident has increased 25 percent, trust in USNA to ensure a2440midshipman's safety following a reported incident has increased 292441percent, and trust in USNA to treat a victim with dignity and respect2442following a reported incident has increased 25 percent.2443    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA is continuously evolving our2444SAPR training and updating our program evaluation. We execute2445comprehensive training for both staff and cadets that emphasize2446regulatory policies and procedures. Additional training includes2447bystander intervention and helping agency options. Most recently, cadet2448access to helping agencies was improved by embedding support locations2449in the cadet area and aligning walk-in hours to our cadet schedules.2450    USAFA conducts program evaluations using data from various sources2451to include course assessments, internal feedback and information from2452official DOD data collection tools such as the annual Defense2453Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS) and the Service Academy2454Experiences Survey (SAES) of cadets and midshipmen at the Academies.2455The feedback is used to update curriculum, inform prevention efforts,2456adjust victim services, and improve processes.2457    USAFA recently developed the Interpersonal Foundations Course: a2458graded academic core course focused on cultivating a comprehensive2459academic understanding of relationships across various contexts2460including self-awareness, peer-to-peer, professional, and romantic. The2461course integrates theoretical foundations, practical applications, and2462reflective components to provide cadets with a well-rounded and2463impactful learning experience.24642465    29. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2466Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, what concrete steps are you2467taking to challenge harmful cultural norms and build a climate of trust2468for survivors of sexual assault to come forward and report perpetrators2469without fear of retribution?2470    Lieutenant General Gilland. USMA has made a concerted effort to2471build a professional climate of trust through formal and informal2472training; continual communication and engagement with Cadets, staff,2473faculty, and coaches; and proactive, committed leadership at all2474levels. USMA and the United States Army are values and standards-based2475organizations, and sexual assault and harassment are contrary to our2476values. We reinforce to all members of the USMA Team and West Point2477community the importance of knowing, adhering to, and enforcing2478standards; being role models and leading by example; holding ourselves2479and each other accountable for our actions and behaviors; and treating2480everyone professionally, with dignity and respect.2481    We believe we are making progress in this space. For example, the2482results of the 2024 Service Academy Gender Relations (SAGR) survey show2483that nearly 70 percent of USMA women who chose to report any experience2484of unwanted sexual contact did so out of a sense of civic or military2485duty (nearly triple the number reported in the 2022 survey). We2486interpret this result as a promising sign that speaking up and seeking2487support is an embedded part of our military duties as current and2488future leaders.2489    Additionally, every individual who reports harassment is protected2490in accordance with AR 600-52. No Army personnel may retaliate against a2491victim, a reported victim, or another member of the Armed Forces based2492on that individual's report of sexual assault and sexual harassment2493made under the purview of the SHARP Program. These provisions are2494punitive.2495    Vice Admiral Davids. No midshipmen should have to fear retaliation2496for reporting a sexual assault or sexual harassment. In alignment with2497the OSD-mandated Climate Transformation Task Force (CTTF) mission, USNA2498has amplified and initiated multiple actions over the past 2 years to2499address unhealthy climates to further reduce harmful behaviors and2500reinforce a climate of trust and accountability for midshipmen. These2501include reviewing traditions and eliminating any that may be counter to2502our desired climate, requiring stand-downs for all sports teams and2503extracurricular activities each semester, providing mandatory training2504in healthy relationships for all freshmen, expanding training in2505bystander intervention skills, increasing substance misuse education,2506and providing the Brigade regular updates on accountability for sexual2507assault cases to increase midshipmen's trust in leadership to take2508action following reports.2509    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Over the past 2 years, USAFA has2510initiated multiple actions to address cultural norms and traditions to2511further reduce harmful behaviors and reinforce a climate of dignity,2512respect, trust, and accountability for all cadets. These actions2513included identifying and eliminating traditions that run counter to2514honorable conduct, eliminating the harmful consequences brought forth2515by unhealthy power dynamics, and establishing the 4-class leadership2516development system. This approach provides mandatory training in2517healthy relationships and unhealthy power dynamics for all cadets,2518expands training in bystander intervention skills, increases substance2519misuse education, and informs the Cadet Wing via periodic discipline2520bulletins.25212522    30. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2523Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, what specific trauma-2524informed resources are available to survivors on your campus, and how2525is their accessibility and confidentiality actively communicated to2526cadets and midshipmen?2527    Lieutenant General Gilland. Trauma-informed resources available at2528USMA include our Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and Victim2529Advocates; mental health services, such as our Center for Professional2530Development, military and family life counselors, behavioral health2531specialists, and the DOD SAFE Helpline; Chaplains; Family Advocacy2532Program; Special Victims Counsel; and Cadets' peer support network (the2533aforementioned ACT program). We actively communicate the accessibility2534and confidentiality of these resources through cadet and staff2535orientation and training; posters, QR codes, and digital signage; SHARP2536and resource websites and portals; and routine staff and faculty2537training.2538    Vice Admiral Davids. Midshipmen have many protections, services,2539and resources to help them recover after a sexual assault. As part of2540the role and in accordance with annual training requirements,2541midshipman SAPR GUIDEs brief their companies and sports teams on all2542resources available and the confidentiality associated with each. This2543information is also disseminated throughout the SHAPE curriculum and by2544leadership in the form of leadership discussions, command briefings,2545midshipman handbooks and awareness months. USNA recently hired a trauma2546specialist at the Midshipman Development Center (MDC) who, in addition2547to working with victims of sexual assault, trains the GUIDEs, SHAPE2548peer educators and other support groups on trauma informed care as part2549of their extensive summer training curriculum.2550    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA's command teams and helping2551agencies are focused on supporting survivors. Cadets have many2552protections, services, and resources to help them recover after2553reporting a sexual assault. USAFA leadership and a group of2554professional helping agencies engage in the monthly Case Management2555Group (CMG) focused on supporting the recovery of our survivors. Within2556the CMG, we receive input from Victim Advocates, Victims Counsel,2557health professionals, and chain of command in order to provide2558individualized trauma-informed care. Outside of the monthly CMG, SAPR2559and command frequently followup with survivors ensuring access to care.2560Finally, USAFA endorses an open-door policy at all echelons of2561leadership.25622563    31. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2564Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, how are you ensuring2565consistent enforcement of sexual misconduct policies, and what2566oversight mechanisms are in place to evaluate progress and maintain2567accountability?2568    Lieutenant General Gilland. At USMA, we ensure consistent2569enforcement of sexual misconduct policies through a structured approach2570that combines standardized policy implementation, leader training, and2571rigorous oversight. The specific measures include the following.2572      Command Training & Policy Alignment: To ensure our chain2573of command is fully aligned with enforcement expectations, all incoming2574TAC Officers (legal Company Commanders) receive mandatory onboarding2575and annual refresher training focused on SHARP, EO, and related2576policies. This ensures they are equipped to enforce standards,2577understand policy updates, and model appropriate leadership behaviors2578in line with DOD directives and academy-specific protocols. TACs also2579receive training specific to the management of sexual harassment and2580sexual assault. Additionally, they are subject to ``Positions of2581Significant Trust and Authority'' screening per Army policy.2582      Standardized Enforcement across Cadet Companies: We apply2583consistent protocols across all companies, including uniform reporting2584procedures, command response timelines, and support resource2585engagement. This eliminates variability and ensures every cadet2586receives the same standard of care and response, regardless of unit.2587      Oversight Mechanisms to Evaluate Progress and Maintain2588Accountability: These include our monthly Sexual Assault Review Board,2589quarterly Sexual Assault Response Team, the biennial SAGR survey and2590Sexual Assault and Violence at the Military Service Academies Report,2591the Defense Sexual Assault Incident Data base, and the Incident Case2592Reporting System.2593    Vice Admiral Davids. All Naval Academy sexual assault and sexual2594harassment cases are investigated by Naval Criminal Investigative2595Service (NCIS) and reviewed by the Office of Special Trial Counsel. For2596lesser offenses, such as engaging in consensual sexual acts within2597berthing spaces, this type of sexual misconduct is handled internally2598at USNA and addressed through our Administrative Conduct System. The2599Conduct System affords alleged offenders multiple layers of due process2600and appellate rights. The military justice programs at the military2601service academies are in the midst of an audit by the U.S. Government2602Accountability Office and we await their findings and recommendations.2603Finally, Federal law requires that the Department of Defense to visit2604the Academies every 2 years to determine the effectiveness of policies2605and programs addressing sexual assault and sexual harassment at the2606Academies. The results of these oversight actions are regularly2607reported to Congress.2608    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA sexual assault and sexual2609harassment cases, based on the form and substance of the allegation and2610in coordination with USAFA/JA, are appropriately addressed by either2611the Equal Opportunity Office, an independent investigator, Office of2612Special Investigations (OSI), or the Office of Special Trial Counsel2613(OSTC), as required by regulation. In addition, Federal law requires2614that the Department of Defense visit the Academies annually to2615determine the effectiveness of policies and programs addressing sexual2616assault and sexual harassment at the Academies. The results of these2617oversight actions are regularly reported to Congress.2618  erasing history through diversity, equity, and inclusion executive2619                                 orders2620    32. Senator Hirono. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2621Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, as we've seen with both the2622temporary removal of the brave 442d Regimental Combat Team history2623page--a primarily Japanese-American regiment--from a DOD website and2624the temporary suspension of a Tuskegee Airmen documentary from Air2625Force training, this Administration is trying to erase history. Will2626you commit to me that your curriculum will continue to teach the full2627truth of our military and national history--including not only the2628valor of these units, but also the shameful moments in our military's2629history, like the internment of Japanese Americans and racial2630segregation?2631    Lieutenant General Gilland. Our curriculum (academic, military, and2632physical) is designed to develop leaders of character for the Army and2633our Nation, ready to lead Army formations in our Nation's defense as2634they support and defend the Constitution. Our academic program equips2635cadets with the intellectual agility needed to make critical decisions.2636Cadets explore a wide breadth of subjects through a robust engineering,2637scientific, and liberal arts education that teaches cadets how to2638think, not what to think. Underpinned by the Constitution, the2639curriculum prepares graduates to outthink and outfight our adversaries2640on complex, multi-domain battlefields.2641    Vice Admiral Davids. Yes, the Naval Academy will continue to teach2642the full truth of our military and national history. An understanding2643of history and the critical thinking skills developed through studying2644history are required to be effective leaders for our Navy and Marine2645Corps.2646    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA will continue to teach our2647military and national history. USAFA is committed to delivering a2648world-class education--one that challenges cadets to think critically2649and engage with complex and difficult topics. We remain steadfast in2650our commitment to presenting a comprehensive view of American military2651history.2652         curriculum changes as a result of the executive orders2653    33. Senator Hirono. Vice Admiral Davids, I understand the Naval2654Academy's curriculum required extensive review after the President's2655Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Executive Orders were signed. I2656suspect this was the case for all of the service academies. Given the2657overly broad nature of the recent executive orders targeting DEI, do2658you believe there is a risk to academic freedom and truthful2659instruction?2660    Vice Admiral Davids. The Naval Academy conducted a thorough review2661of the 870 courses in our catalog and found that 20 were not aligned2662with recent Executive Orders and DOD guidance. There were only two (0.22663percent) that required cancellation. Another nine required2664restructuring, such as the removal of a module, and nine required very2665minor modifications. We continue to work with Navy and DOD leadership2666to sharpen our understanding of the language in these orders so that we2667can meet their intent and continue to develop critical thinking skills2668in our students. At present, I do not believe there is a risk to2669academic freedom and truthful instruction.26702671    34. Senator Hirono. Vice Admiral Davids, how are you working with2672your faculty to ensure midshipmen are exposed to a broad diversity of2673perspectives?2674    Vice Admiral Davids. I'm fortunate to have a professional faculty2675who are diverse in their disciplinary preparation and life experiences,2676while united in their dedication to our mission to develop leaders of2677character for the Navy and Marine Corps. We also invest in the2678development of our entire faculty throughout their careers to remain2679current in their respective disciplines and well-versed in the needs of2680today's military through collaboration with the Office of Naval2681Research, partnerships with other commands, and frequent opportunities2682for fleet exposure and service-relevant speakers.26832684    35. Senator Hirono. Vice Admiral Davids, will you commit to2685protecting your faculty's ability to teach cadets and midshipmen the2686great, the good, the bad, and the ugly of U.S. history--even if2687political directives suggest otherwise?2688    Vice Admiral Davids. Yes, the Naval Academy will continue to teach2689the full truth of our military and national history. An understanding2690of history and the critical thinking skills developed through studying2691history are required to be effective leaders for our Navy and Marine2692Corps.2693                               __________2694             Questions Submitted by Senator Tammy Duckworth2695                            command climate2696    36. Senator Duckworth. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2697Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, can you provide insight2698into how your execution of the Executive Orders has impacted students2699and your assessment of the current command climate at the service2700academies?2701    Lieutenant General Gilland. The Corps of Cadets is focused on2702becoming leaders of character and serving the Nation as officers in the2703United States Army.2704    Vice Admiral Davids. Our midshipmen are young professionals. The2705Executive Orders have only affected a small fraction of the many2706activities that occupy the midshipman's busy day. While some students2707may have concerns about particular changes, as with any change, USNA2708makes room for feedback and provides leadership discussion and2709guidance. As a whole they appreciate the clarity of the focus on2710preparation for facing the national security challenges that are on our2711horizon. They have always discussed personal topics in their own rooms2712with their friends and fellow midshipmen. In professional settings,2713such as the classroom, in King Hall (dining facility), and in the2714public, they remain exemplars of the future military leadership of our2715Nation.2716    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA cadets are members of the2717Profession of Arms. Within the Profession of Arms, service members2718follow all lawful orders, which include executive orders. When cadets2719have concerns with directed changes, they express those concerns both2720in command and helping agency channels, while remaining focused on2721their primary duty of becoming the next generation of Air Force and2722Space Force leaders, prepared to defend our great Nation.27232724    37. Senator Duckworth. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2725Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, how are you making it clear2726that all students have the potential to succeed as warfighters and2727contribute to the mission, when the Secretary of Defense, President and2728other senior leaders have suggested through both their words and2729actions that women and servicemembers of color have benefited from DEI2730policies and endanger readiness and lethality?2731    Lieutenant General Gilland. The United States Military Academy2732develops leaders of character, committed to the Army Values and ready2733for a lifetime of service to the Army and Nation. The 4,400 members of2734the Corps of Cadets hail from all every corner of our Nation and from2735all backgrounds and walks of life. They are united by their common2736desire to serve as members of the Profession of Arms and by their2737shared commitment to supporting and defending the Constitution.2738    Vice Admiral Davids. USNA leadership, faculty, staff, and the2739midshipmen themselves remain focused on developing leaders of character2740and the next generation of resilient warfighters for our Navy and2741Marine Corps. We continue to stress that each member of the Brigade and2742the entire USNA team is important to our mission.2743    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA is focused on our mission of2744forging leaders of character, motivated to a lifetime of service, and2745developed to lead our Air Force and Space Force as we fight and win our2746Nation's wars.2747                             affinity clubs2748    38. Senator Duckworth. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2749Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, please describe the2750criteria used to determine which extracurricular and affinity groups2751remain and which are no longer permitted?2752    Lieutenant General Gilland. The command disbanded any affinity2753group/club that was sponsored by the former USMA Office of Diversity,2754Inclusion and Equal Opportunity in accordance with executive orders and2755applicable DOD and Army guidance.2756    Vice Admiral Davids. In support of its midshipmen and their2757personal and professional development, USNA has retained all of its2758midshipman activities and groups, but stratified each based on priority2759of mission.27602761      Brigade Support Activities are those organizations whose2762primary function is performing or supporting public-facing USNA events.27632764      Extracurricular Activities (ECAs) are those organizations2765with a focus on warfighting, physical activity, professional skills,2766academic groups, and shared recreational interests.27672768      Religious ECAs (RECAs) are those organizations which2769support the spiritual readiness of the Brigade.27702771      Midshipman Groups are those organizations that support2772connections between midshipmen and mentoring based on shared interests.27732774    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. All cadet club activities are in2775compliance with Executive Orders. USAFA has retained all clubs in2776support of cadet personal and professional development.27772778    39. Senator Duckworth. Lieutenant General Gilliland, though West2779Point has terminated affinity groups like the National Society of Black2780Engineers Club and the Society of Women Engineers Club, a number of2781clubs still remain at West Point, such as language clubs or religious2782clubs, acknowledging that there is still value in some unique groups2783providing support and community to one another based on shared cultural2784ties. Can you explain what guidance or justification you have received2785as to why academies should recognize the importance of students2786assembling based on religious affiliation but not other cultural ties?2787    Lieutenant General Gilland. The decision to disband certain cadet2788affinity clubs was in accordance with Presidential Executive Orders2789(specifically, EO 14151 ``Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI2790Programs and Preferencing'' and EO 14185 ``Restoring America's Fighting2791Force''), as well as DOD and Army guidance. The disbanded clubs were2792sponsored by the former USMA Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal2793Opportunity. A review of the clubs' charters determined they were not2794in compliance.27952796    40. Senator Duckworth. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2797Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, please provide a list of2798affinity clubs that have been terminated or disbanded and which remain.2799    Lieutenant General Gilland.2800      Asian-Pacific Forum Club2801      Contemporary Cultural Affair Seminar Club2802      Corbin Forum2803      Japanese Forum Club2804      Korean-American Relations Seminar2805      Latin Cultural Club2806      National Society of Black Engineers Club2807      Native American Heritage Forum2808      Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers2809      Society of Women Engineers Club2810      Spectrum2811      Vietnamese-American Cadet Association2812    The list of remaining clubs is included as a separate attachment.2813    USMA is currently undergoing a review process that permits the2814disbanded clubs to modify their charters and be reinstated in2815compliance with executive orders and DOD directives. USMA will seek2816Department of the Army concurrence before reinstating any club.2817    Please see attachments below:28182819    Vice Admiral Davids. USNA has not disbanded any clubs or groups.2820USNA still hosts the following ``Midshipman Groups:''2821      Alliance Club2822      Arabic Club2823      Chinese Culture Club2824      Eastern European Studies2825      Filipino-American Club2826      French Club2827      German Club2828      Italian-American Midshipmen Club2829      Japanese-American Club2830      Joy Bright Hancock Organization2831      Korean-American Midshipmen Association2832      Latin American Studies Club2833      Midshipmen Afro-Caribbean Heritage Club2834      Midshipmen Black Studies Club2835      National Society of Black Engineers2836      Native American Heritage Club2837      Naval Academy Pacific Islands Culture Club2838      Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers2839      Society of Women Engineers2840      South Asian Heritage Club2841      Vietnamese Student Association2842      Women in Cyber-Security and Computing2843    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA has not terminated or2844disbanded any cadet clubs.2845                   transgender cadets and midshipmen2846    41. Senator Duckworth. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2847Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, given the recent executive2848orders prohibiting transgender servicemembers from continuing their2849service, how are the academies supporting transgender cadets and2850midshipmen through their transition from service?2851    Lieutenant General Gilland. We do not have any transgender cadets.2852    Vice Admiral Davids. Based on the most recent guidance, no steps2853have been taken to separate any midshipmen from the service. However,2854we have a standard package of transition support services that are2855provided to all midshipmen, regardless of the reason for their2856transition from the Naval Academy.2857    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. USAFA provides individualized2858support to any servicemember impacted by changes in military accession2859or service policies. This includes access to health professionals,2860legal advisors, alumni support network, and academic counselors.2861Servicemembers are supported through confidential care and coordination2862with service component leadership to ensure continuity of support2863during separation, in full alignment with Department of Defense policy2864and ethical obligations.28652866    42. Senator Duckworth. Lieutenant General Gilland, Vice Admiral2867Davids, and Lieutenant General Bauernfeind, will you all commit to2868following up with the Senate Armed Services Committee and the2869Subcommittee on Personnel to ensure we are kept informed of any changes2870in reporting trends and any concerns raised by students regarding2871climate, safety and their professional futures?2872    Lieutenant General Gilland. Yes.2873    Vice Admiral Davids. Yes, I will ensure that the Senate Armed2874Services Committee and the Subcommittee on Personnel are kept informed2875of any changes in reporting trends and concerns raised by students2876regarding climate, safety and their professional future.2877    Lieutenant General Bauernfeind. Yes.28782879                                 [all]