Vincent Vu, a former air defense artillery officer and current second-year law student at Wake Forest University, was instrumental in the founding of the Vietnamese-American Cadet Association at the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2015. Reflecting on his time at West Point, Vu acknowledged the challenges he faced as someone without a military background in a culture that could be difficult to navigate. However, he also highlighted the importance of affinity groups in helping individuals like himself assimilate into the ranks of West Point cadets and the Army, ultimately shaping him into a better officer.
Affinity groups at West Point, which catered to various aspects of identity such as race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation, played a crucial role in providing a supportive environment for cadets like Vu. These groups were designed to foster inclusivity and support diversity within the military community. However, recent developments have put these affinity groups at risk.
Following an executive order signed by President Trump on his first day in office, diversity, equity, and inclusion policies within the federal government and federally funded projects came under scrutiny. As a result, West Point announced the disbandment of 12 affinity groups, including the Vietnamese American Cadet Association. This decision sparked backlash and criticism, prompting the academy to reconsider its stance on the matter.
The move to dismantle affinity groups has raised concerns about the impact on progress towards racial equality within the military. Military historians have noted the military’s role in advocating for diversity and inclusion, and eliminating these tools could hinder such advancements. Retired Army Colonel Diane M. Ryan emphasized the importance of a diverse military that reflects society as a whole, highlighting the benefits of a representative officer corps.
The decision to disband affinity groups at West Point is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to eliminate D.E.I. initiatives across the government. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s memo deemed such policies incompatible with Department of Defense values, leading to the creation of a task force dedicated to eradicating D.E.I. offices.
While West Point officials initially stood by the decision to disband affinity groups, they later hinted at the possibility of reinstating some or all of the clubs. The controversy surrounding this issue underscores the importance of inclusivity and representation within the military community. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what implications it may have for future diversity initiatives at West Point and beyond.
