Part 6 of a sampling from the over 600 comments we received on the petition form:
“When I was in the Air Force, the majority of us didn’t care what color or race or anything else you were. We asked two questions: 1. Are you competent? 2. Do you have my back?” 1988
“USAFA – Teach the profession of arms. Teaching DEI and promoting using political standards to judge leaders is a recipe for disaster to our Air Force and nation.” 1975
“USAFA should be a colorblind, meritocratic institution focused on equality of opportunity (not equity) where the individual is sovereign, and held accountable for their actions and their actions alone. Sons are not responsible for the sins of the father.” 1997
“We cannot allow meritocracy to be subordinated to any other system. Our national defense requires the very best our nation can offer. Anything other than a relentless pursuit of the Air Force’s Core Values is a political distraction and doomed to create a less capable organization.” 1997
“We’ve always been taught something to the effect of “one team, one fight”. Over the past several years, the emphasis seems to be less on ensuring all work together as one to defend our freedoms, but a greater emphasis to attempt to identify and place someone into a “group”. After decades of trying to be colorblind and/or gender neutral to come together as one, the Academy and military are now moving away from that worthwhile goal and now insist on “affinity groups” and alienating others based on gender, race, or beliefs. I will not donate a cent to the institution until that nonsense has been ceased. Thank you to those behind this petition and other efforts to once again search for the “best and brightest” to attend this institution, and more importantly, serve as leaders in our military.” 1986
“We MUST get rid of all Woke and DEI propaganda, and return to the core concept of preparing our young men and women to defend America against our enemies, or our nation will be LOST!!” 1974
“We must remove all DEI instruction / intervention at the Academy as it has become a divisive tool used for political reasons! If we do not start to rebuild the honor, moral and ethical teachings, then we are poisoning our future military leaders. A return to core values is critical and DEI does not and is not those core values.” 1975
“We need to turn this ship around. We cannot remain silent.” 1979
“We should be able to discuss our historical shortcomings. Likewise, leaders should understand how to serve amongst diverse superiors, peers, and subordinates. However, the DEI industry is infested with worldviews and ideologies like critical theory, intersectionality and others which promote a cynical view of the world and America in particular. Best of luck in guiding the AOG back onto the right path.” 2017
“We must never allow our organization to be politicized. Please make these changes.” 1988
“While it appears that the existing By-Laws may sufficiently allow the AOG to engage in such dialogue, I offer my signature to demonstrate support for the ideals expressed within the alumni letter. I do not support policies advancing critical race theory. Perhaps noble in intent, I find such policies do far more harm than good. The social theory does not identify a desired goal/end-state, it further divides rather than unifies, and the means used to accomplish its objectives run counter to the constitutional principles of fairness, justice, and equality. While our nation must continue to passionately — and compassionately — strive to unite and empower every American, this is not the way to do so. For those reasons, I support this initiative. Thank you for leading the way, and please let me know if there is anything further I can do to assist.” 2003
“Wholeheartedly agree with these changes. The place has turned into a liberal arts college and not a Military Academy focusing on STEM, Leadership, and merit-based education.” 1985
“Wokeness, liberal infiltration, and weak leadership have ruined our once admired and revered institution.” 1994
“I retired after 30 years in uniform (8 active-duty & 22 Reserve) and my son is now at USAFA Class of 2028. I want him to serve our country proudly and confidently knowing that the best possible commanders are leading him into battle based on merit.” 1992
“You have my 100% support! Long overdue.” 1981
“Your vision reflected in the proposed upgrades and your concerted efforts on behalf of all associated with USAFA are most appreciated.” 1972
“100% agree. I have been having discussions with my classmates on how USAFA seems to be changing in purpose. My belief is that USAFA is there to produce Officers to lead in the US military….not research scholars or athletes. If these attributes come in addition to producing leaders, then fine. But the school has morphed into a civilian institution on so many levels.” 1992
“After having graduated from USAFA a year and a half ago, and seeing all the changes that each the Academy, the Air Force, and the military have experienced since my entry, I fully appreciate the changes that this organization are putting on the ballot. Hopefully, from this movement, a more virtuous and patriotic Cadet Wing will be cultivated, or will at least begin to create the momentum necessary for this to occur. Thank you.” 2023
“As a grad, former AFA Admissions Liaison Officer, and father of 2 sons who graduated from the AFA, I am 100% in support of these amendments. I sadly witnessed first hand the dismantling and deterioration of a once great institution while my sons were there, especially between 2019 – 2023. Both sons are now serving Active Duty, and quite frankly, it pains me to hear the stories they tell me from the squadron level. The complete lack of true leadership and emphasis on DEI / woke ideologies over being mission ready, scares the hell out of me. As a pilot for more than 40 years, I understand the immense importance of standards, training and currency requirements. Again, it scares the hell out of me when both of my sons share stories with me about standards, training and currency taking a back seat to DEI training. This insanity must stop. I can honestly say that right now, I would not recommend a Patriotic young Man or Woman, much less my own children, attend the USAF Academy. I am not proud to feel that way. I appreciate what you are doing and I will support in any way I can.” 1986
“Cannot financially support USAFA as I have in the past as long as DEI continues to infect the institution and the Air Force.” 1993
“Could not agree more with the supposition that the current DoD climate prioritizes the variety of skin colors, gender identities, or other political whims within our ranks over ensuring we are recruiting, training, and retaining the most qualified individuals for the job. Combat operations are not won by prioritizing the fragile individual’s personal desires for diversity, inclusiveness, or political correctness–they are won by prioritizing character, ability, and lethality within our military ranks while promoting an environment which rewards daring and innovation and operates as a meritocracy. Any other ideological or personal preference has no place within our military or our service academies.” 2010
“DEI initiatives damage the American meritocracy and should be opposed to ensure our nation promotes the best leaders. Diversity of thought and perspective, however, is valuable in any organization.” 2007
“Fully support this petition to remove all vestiges of WOKE indoctrination, to include DEI, CRT, LGBTQ etc. from Cadet, and all other USAFA training and instruction.” 1974
“I agree wholeheartedly that the teachings and political ideology changes have gone in the wrong direction and do more harm than good.” 1982
“Fully supportive of your efforts to restore meritocracy as the primary value for Academy and Air Force Leadership. Keep up the good work.” 1972
“I am so encouraged with this effort to bring accountability to the material presented to our cadets. Diversity should never trump competence when it comes to our fighting force. On entry to the Academy in 1969 the Chief of Staff of the Air Force was General McConnel and he made it crystal clear that the mission of the United States Air Force was to “Fly and Fight and we should never forget it.” Those are the words that should be on the wall at the Base of the Ramp not character traits that should be on the wall of a high school gymnasium. Our cadets should be reminded of General Schwarzkopf’s words to the Air Force pilots who the next day would be the first to bring the war to Bagdad. He told them “your country is asking you to be the thunder and lightning of Desert Storm”. To fly and fight and bring the thunder and lightning to our US military should be the mission role that our cadets are being taught to fill not the appropriate pronouns to use to properly address an airman or air airwoman. Thanks again for this effort.” 1973
“I completely support the proposed amendments. Let’s get USAFA back to focusing on building men and women of character based on discipline, honor, integrity and meritocracy, not on DEI and the the color of the their skin. It’s so sad what has happened and is happening to the Academy that so many of us were proud to say we are graduates. It has decayed so much that I no longer recommend to parents or high school students that they consider applying for the Academy. In my mind USAFA has simply become another one of hundreds of liberal arts universities in our country.” 1977
“I have had enough of the madness and degradation of the Air Force Academy (honor code laxity, focus on Div 1 athletics more than warrior ethos, CRT, etc.). I was going to wash my hands of the place, but if the voices of all the grads get heard by the AOG and the Supe, I might consider supporting the organization.” 1988
“I have no love for USAFA but I do not want to see the institution that it is become a playground for insane posturing for political gains. USAFA should not become the next experiment in social studies. There are plenty of non-military institutions that will be happy to play games. USAFA should be in the business of equipping leaders to accomplish the mission for the next generation of the USAF/Space Force.” 2003
“I hope this has an impact. The USAFA has become an embarrassment to me with their recent initiatives.” 2003
“I support the proposed amendments to Article III of the Articles of Incorporation of Association of Graduates of the United States Air Force Academy. The Air Force Academy was created to mold men (and then women) to be warriors and better citizens of the most powerful and influential nation in the world. Many of us who have graduated from this great Academy can see how the current policies and procedures have strayed from our traditional rights and wrongs into the gray area of political correctness. There are plenty of other Universities in the United States that should be better equipped to handle the politically oriented problems of social and sexual beliefs of todays citizens and graduates who want to pursue those problems should go to those schools as graduate students to do so.” 1963
“I whole heartedly support these efforts to Make USAFA a Military Academy Again.” 2005
“Thanks for helping to put an end to wokism at USAFA.” 1979
“Thank you to members of the Unity Slate for the AOG Board for your leadership in countering the insidious political and ideological agendas that are undermining the unity and objective, merit-based excellence of our United States Air Force Academy and its Long Blue Line. Integrity First, Service before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. Aim High!” 2006