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Naval Academy Adjusts Admissions Process Following Federal Ruling

A significant legal ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals has determined that the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland, must eliminate considerations of race, ethnicity, or sex in its admissions procedures. This change comes in response to an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump.

On February 14, Vice Adm. Yvette Davids announced the revised policy, stating emphatically that “neither race, ethnicity nor sex can be considered as a factor for admission at any point during the admissions process, including qualification and acceptance.” This update was noted in a legal filing by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and made available to the public on Friday.

Trump’s executive order from January 27 mandated that all elements of the Armed Forces operate without any preferences based on race or sex. It further instructed the secretary of defense to undertake a review of the nation’s service academies.

This latest decision follows a December ruling by a federal court that had previously allowed the Naval Academy to consider race. Additionally, midshipmen had previously expressed that promoting diversity within the military enhances its strength and effectiveness, as shared in a report by The Associated Press.

NAVAL ACADEMY TO DISCONTINUE DEI OFFICES IN LINE WITH TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDER

In past arguments, academy attorneys contended that fostering diversity is essential for maintaining a robust and respected military. However, judges in December emphasized that considerations of “military cohesion and national security” differentiated the Naval Academy from civilian institutions, allowing it greater flexibility in admissions standards.

The appeal that led to this ruling was initiated by the group Students for Fair Admissions. Following the policy change, the DOJ requested a pause in the litigation process as they evaluate the new admissions policy.

The DOJ indicated in its filing, “The parties require a reasonable amount of time to discuss the details of the Academy’s new policy and to consider the appropriate next steps for this litigation, including whether this litigation is now moot and, if so, whether the district court judgment should be vacated.”

Edward Blum, the president of Students for Fair Admissions, criticized affirmative action policies, labeling them as “unfair and illegal.” He asserted that “racial discrimination is wrong and racial classifications have no place at our nation’s military academies.”

IMPACT OF RACE-BASED ADMISSIONS RULINGS ON THE NAVAL ACADEMY’S FUTURE

Rep. Sarah Elfreth, a Democrat on the USNA’s Board of Visitors, expressed severe concerns regarding the implications of this decision for military recruitment and retention over the coming decades. “A Navy and Marine Corps that reflect the diversity of our country is our strongest Navy and Marine Corps,” she stated, underscoring the critical nature of diversity and inclusion for mission readiness and national security.

In compliance with Trump’s directives, the Naval Academy also commenced actions to disband all diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) offices as part of a broader shift away from DEI initiatives.

WEST POINT ALSO ENACTS SIMILAR POLICIES IN RESPONSE TO EXECUTIVE ORDERS

While the DEIA offices had been closed since summer 2024, Vice Adm. Davids highlighted concerns regarding possible modifications to programs aimed at DEIA objectives, urging staff to report any discrepancies to the relevant authorities.

Cmdr. Tim Hawkins, a Navy spokesperson, clarified that the U.S. Naval Academy did not maintain a DEI or DEIA office prior to the president’s executive order and affirmed the academy’s commitment to complying with all directives issued by the administration.

As part of this compliance, human resources officials also directed staff to refrain from using gender-identifying pronouns in email signature lines. The Navy’s emphasis on adhering to presidential directives reflects a focus on operational integrity and alignment with national security goals.

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