A watchdog organization known as the Center to Advance Security in America (CASA) has taken legal action against the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).

The lawsuit stems from the Biden DOD’s failure to provide demographic data on military promotions, which CASA had requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and the group is specifically interested in whether diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices are influencing military promotions, as Fox News reports.

The group argues that the lack of transparency raises concerns about meritocracy within the military.

In March, CASA submitted a formal FOIA request to the DOD, seeking a breakdown of promotions and nominations by race and gender from the last five years. In addition to this demographic data, the group also requested any communications between key DOD officials regarding DEI practices. CASA intends to examine whether these practices are being carried out fairly and without undermining merit-based promotions.

Defense Department Fails to Respond to FOIA

Despite acknowledging the FOIA request, the DOD has yet to provide any of the requested data or offer an explanation for its delay. CASA Director James Fitzpatrick voiced frustration over the department’s lack of responsiveness, stating, "We know that the DOD has this information readily available." He added that CASA is curious as to why the department has been reluctant to release the data, which federal law mandates it to disclose.

The lawsuit filed by CASA seeks to compel the DOD to release the demographic records and provide insight into how DEI initiatives may be influencing military promotions.

Concerns Over DEI Practices in the Military

CASA’s lawsuit is rooted in its concerns over the potential impact of DEI practices on the military’s promotion system. The organization believes that promotions should be based on merit alone and fears that DEI initiatives may be skewing the process. According to Fitzpatrick, “The increased role diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have played in the military is concerning to many Americans.”

CASA’s investigation into this issue extends beyond the DOD. In a separate FOIA request, CASA obtained internal documents from the Air Force, revealing a shift in recruitment strategies. The documents showed that the percentage of White applicants to the Air Force ROTC program dropped from 60% in 2019 to a projected 50% in fiscal year 2023. The goal is to further reduce the percentage to 43% by fiscal year 2029.

Air Force Documents Reveal DEI-Focused Recruitment

Along with the changing demographics in recruitment, the Air Force documents detailed a financial commitment to DEI efforts. According to the slides obtained by CASA, the Air Force requested $500,000 for diversity advertising campaigns and another $250,000 for engaging social media influencers to boost recruitment from underrepresented groups.

These revelations have sparked broader concerns about the balance between diversity efforts and the military's operational readiness. Some argue that prioritizing DEI may be coming at the expense of recruiting and retaining individuals based solely on merit.

Challenges in Military Recruitment Persist

The U.S. military has been grappling with recruitment challenges in recent years. The current force size is reportedly the smallest since before World War II. For 2024, the Navy is expected to miss its recruitment goals, adding to concerns about the military’s future strength. While the Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force are expected to meet their recruitment targets this year, both the Army and Air Force previously missed their goals in 2022 and 2023.

These recruitment challenges have led some to question whether DEI initiatives are playing a role in exacerbating the problem. CASA hopes that the demographic data it requested from the DOD will shed light on the potential connection between DEI practices and these broader military issues.

CASA Pushes for Transparency and Accountability

The central aim of CASA’s lawsuit is to hold the DOD accountable for its transparency regarding military promotions. By obtaining the requested data, CASA hopes to ensure that DEI practices are not being implemented at the expense of merit-based decisions within the military.

Fitzpatrick emphasized the importance of public trust in the military’s promotion process, stating, "The American people believe that promotions in the military should be based on merit." CASA believes that by releasing the requested data, the DOD can help restore confidence in the fairness of its promotion system.

Lawsuit Could Set Precedent for Future FOIA Requests

The outcome of CASA’s lawsuit could have significant implications for future FOIA requests related to DEI practices within the military and other government agencies. If successful, the lawsuit could pave the way for increased transparency regarding how DEI initiatives are being implemented across federal institutions.

CASA’s decision to file the lawsuit signals a growing push for accountability and transparency in how the government approaches DEI practices. As the lawsuit progresses, it may encourage other watchdog groups and policymakers to seek similar data and oversight.

Conclusion

CASA's lawsuit against the Department of Defense highlights concerns over DEI practices in the military and their potential impact on merit-based promotions.

The watchdog group is pushing for transparency through a FOIA request that seeks demographic data on military promotions over the past five years.

With the DOD yet to respond, the lawsuit could force the department to disclose this information and shed light on how DEI practices are shaping the future of military leadership.

Additionally, revelations from the Air Force suggest that DEI efforts are playing a significant role in recruitment, raising further questions about the balance between diversity and merit within the armed forces.