In a recent House Committee on Homeland Security hearing, a heated exchange took place between Republican Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ) and U.S. Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations Vice Admiral Peter W. Gautier. While the hearing primarily focused on U.S. Arctic strategy and its impact on homeland security, Crane steered the discussion towards what he termed “recruiting issues in the Coast Guard.” He questioned Vice Admiral Gautier about the challenges in military recruitment across the board.
- Recruitment Challenges and COVID-19: Vice Admiral Gautier cited the impact of COVID-19 on recruitment efforts, noting that the Coast Guard faces difficulties in gaining exposure among young people seeking careers in the military. He highlighted that the lack of awareness about the Coast Guard remains a hurdle but expressed optimism about the effectiveness of new recruitment campaigns.
- Congressman Crane’s Concerns: Crane persisted in his line of questioning, pivoting away from recruitment statistics to focus on issues commonly discussed in conservative media. He raised concerns about perceived “wokeness” within the military, including topics such as critical race theory training, diversity, inclusion, and equality training, as well as drag shows on military bases. Crane implied that these factors might be contributing to recruitment challenges and a loss of focus on the military’s core mission.
- Vice Admiral’s Response: Vice Admiral Gautier defended the Coast Guard, stating that he had not observed the issues Crane mentioned within the Coast Guard. He emphasized that the current Coast Guard personnel are better than ever before.
- A Clash of Beliefs: The exchange culminated with Congressman Crane expressing skepticism about Vice Admiral Gautier’s 37 years of military service. Crane’s comments reflected ongoing debates within conservative circles regarding perceived “wokeness” in the military, which includes the acceptance of LGBTQ+ personnel.
While some conservative voices have been vocal about what they view as “wokeness” in the military, recent polling by the Department of Defense among young people aged 16 to 21 indicated that the top reasons for not joining the military include concerns about injury, psychological trauma, and separation from family and friends. Issues related to “wokeness” did not rank among the most significant concerns. The survey suggests that discussions around equality and fairness in the military are of growing importance.