The U.S. Navy is considering the establishment of a new educational review board aimed at restoring a ‘warrior ethos’ and eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at the U.S. Naval Academy. According to a draft memo obtained by Fox News Digital, the proposed board would be composed of “prominent leaders” from both the public and private sectors who are “committed to restoring the warrior ethos and bringing meritocracy and accountability back to Naval education.” The memo, written on behalf of Secretary of the Navy John Phelan and addressed to Scott Duncan, acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, requests a list of potential candidates to serve on the board.
Under the proposed plan, the board would be tasked with “reinstating and encouraging a culture of discipline as a part of the warrior ethos” and reviewing curriculum content to ensure it aligns with Department of Defense priorities. It would also be empowered to remove any material deemed “inappropriate for today’s warfighter progression.” In addition to curriculum oversight, the memo calls for a major shift in the faculty structure, proposing an expansion of the number of permanent military professors from 40 to at least 100 to address “imbalances in civilian-dominated governance that weaken the Academy’s military mission.” This would be done to reinforce the emphasis on military discipline over civilian influence.
The initiative follows recent leadership changes at the Naval Academy, including the removal of Adm. Yvette Davids as superintendent and her promotion to deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans, strategy, and warfighting development. She has been nominated for a future four-star admiral promotion, citing her “operational record, strategic vision, and proven leadership.” Meanwhile, the review board’s establishment would occur within the first three months, with the board reviewing the admissions process and audit faculty composition by the end of that period. Over the following three to six months, it would initiate an overhaul of “ethos training” and recommend updates to the Academy’s admissions rubric.
Phelan, in a statement to Fox News Digital, emphasized that “it is no secret that reform is needed at the Naval Academy, and across all of Naval education.” He criticized the previous administration’s DEI initiatives, stating that they “instilled corrosive DEI programs in the Academy’s curriculum” and allowed “identity politics and wokeism to take priority over warfighting, leadership, and the critical thinking necessary to be superior Naval and Marine Corps officers.” This sentiment aligns with recent public statements by political figures such as Pete Hegseth, who has directed military academies to adopt a merit-based admissions policy solely based on merit. However, the memo has not yet been formally issued, and officials have emphasized that “no decisions have been made.” The Navy’s public affairs officer stated that “the Secretary is committed to restoring the warrior ethos” and is “looking at a variety of options to make that happen.”