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In early 2025, President Trump and Secretary Hegseth directed the elimination of all DEI efforts within our Armed Forces and refocus the attention of our Armed Forces to its core mission, combat readiness, and meritocracy. 40 to 50 years ago, in response to a number of cultural issues stemming from the post-Vietnam War era and Civil Rights era, a number of affinity groups were established to “support” the Armed Forces. These affinity groups were formed to address “perceived racial, ethnic and gender issues and inequalities,” and they believed that they were improving the readiness and the missions of our Armed Forces through their attention to these issues. Specifically, these “stovepiped” nonprofit affinity groups (designated as IRS 501(c)(3) organizations) were formed to individually support African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and women. Moreover, these affinity groups received financial and operational support, through Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), from their respective personnel and diversity offices of the Armed Forces in order to advance what eventually became Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and other personnel initiatives, including leadership, career management, and of course, meritocracy. Notwithstanding the direction from President Trump and Secretary Hegseth to rely on merit alone, the following nonprofit affinity groups have stayed active performing their respective missions: “The All-Inclusive Hispanic/Latino Leader Resource Group for the U.S. Maritime Services. Founded in 1981 by the first Secretary of the Navy of Hispanic descent, the Honorable Eduardo Hidalgo, the Association of Naval Services Officers (ANSO) has long served as a mentoring and career development focused organization. In addition to supporting outreach within America’s underserved communities, ANSO directly supports members in their decision to remain in their respective services and also help those who separate or retire find outside employment through its extensive network.” “The National Naval Officers Association (NNOA) actively supports the U. S. Sea Services in the development of a diverse officer corps through recruitment, retention, and career development. NNOA is essential in maintaining operational readiness by providing professional development, mentoring, and support of cultural awareness. NNOA established and maintains a positive image of the U. S. Sea Services in communities and educational institutions.” “Sea Services Leadership Association (SSLA), a non-profit organization that supports the professional development of women in the Sea Services, including the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. It provides mentorship, educational resources, and networking opportunities through events like the annual Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium (JWLS), the largest gathering of women in uniform in the nation.” “Our military leaders should mirror the face of America, reflecting the enlisted troops they lead and the public they protect. The Hispanic Veterans Leadership Alliance (HVLA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization of senior leaders, military and civilian, committed to overcoming the profound lack of Hispanic diversity and inclusion throughout the senior ranks of the DoD. Our mission is to enhance military mission readiness by advocating for policies, processes, and programs across all levels of military and civilian leadership, especially at the most senior levels within the Department of Defense, that reflect the growing populations they lead and defend.” Subsequent to this key direction and refocus by our Commander-In-Chief and our Secretary of War, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), in February 2025, canceled all MOUs with the aforementioned affinity groups. However, some resistance has been voiced, specifically the SSLA president stated that “the cancellation of their MOU was a “difficult blow” to their organization.” In spite of the direction and refocus by our civilian leadership, these “stovepiped” affinity groups continue to operate under the guise of promoting meritocracy and leadership, all the while promoting some form of DEI. The existence and the activities of these affinity groups unconsciously widen the divisions of race, ethnicity and gender in our Armed Forces which is contrary to unity cohesion and a single focus of mission, combat readiness and meritocracy. Furthermore, these affinity groups appear to be overtly political; they need to refrain from any political tendencies and public comments that imply any connection and alignment with Congressional factions, specifically, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Black Congressional Caucus. Unfortunately, there have been times when there have been some political leanings, tendencies and comments by these affinity groups that fall outside their vision and mission area. Moreover, political activities are in direct violation of Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and therefore jeopardizes the 501(c)3 status of these affinity groups with the IRS. A nonprofit’s right to exist is sound as long as they comply with the 501(c)(3) legal restrictions. However, the Armed Forces should not have to provide a “soapbox” from which these organizations can preach their “poison” within the Department of War. So, with the continuing existence of these affinity groups, the public needs to be aware of the actions, meetings and publications of these affinity groups, and be prepared to immediately counter anything related to DEI that come from these affinity groups by calling attention to their improper activity to DOW leaders. RADM Will Rodriguez (U.S. Navy, ret.) is a 1977 Graduate of The Citadel and a 1984 Graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School. Admiral Rodriguez spent 32 years in the Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer and as an Engineering Duty Officer.
