The U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, is taking significant steps to align with the directives set forth by President Trump regarding Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) programs. In a recent communication from Vice Adm. Yvette Davids, staff members were informed that all DEIA offices and related contracts would be closed as part of the compliance with Trump’s executive orders aimed at ending what he and supporters believe are unnecessary government programs.
In her email, Davids stressed the need to inform employees about these changes. She noted that there were growing concerns that some DEIA initiatives might have been altered in ways that hidden their original purpose. As a result, she called on academy staff to report any discrepancies related to contract descriptions or personnel positions that might obscure connections to DEIA initiatives.
The Naval Academy is not acting alone. Similar actions have been observed at West Point, where several identity-based clubs, previously sanctioned by the academy, have been dissolved to comply with Trump’s orders and new Department of Defense directives. These clubs included organizations such as the Asian-Pacific Forum and the Society of Women Engineers.
In addition, a human resources official from the Naval Academy reminded staff that, in accordance with the recent Department of Defense directive, email signatures should not include gender-identifying pronouns. This move is part of a broader effort to reshape the military’s approach to identity politics.
The ongoing changes reflect a significant shift in how institutions like the Naval Academy operate, particularly regarding policies addressing diversity and inclusion. Proponents argue that these steps are necessary to maintain a focus on meritocracy and unity rather than division based on identities.
As the academy continues to navigate these changes, it remains to be seen how they will impact the culture and operations within one of America’s premier military institutions.
