(ConservativeInsider.org) – A lieutenant colonel in the Space Force who was removed from his post in 2021 after criticizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies within the military is calling for changes within the country, including a new Commander-in-Chief.
Former Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier served in the U.S. armed forces for over ten years before joining the U.S. Space Force in 2020. He served as a commander for ten months before appearing on conservative podcast The Steve Gruber Show in May 2021 to talk about Marxist ideologies taking over the military. He said some of the beliefs being shared throughout the armed forces were “fundamentally incompatible” with American values. When pressed for examples, he pointed out that on base, people were being taught about the debunked 1619 Project from the New York Times that claims that the Constitution “codified White Supremacy.” Lohmeier suggested that anyone who disagreed with the 1619 Project was labeled a racist.
After his appearance on the podcast, Lohmeier was relieved of his duties on the Space Force because his commanders had lost trust and “confidence in [Lohmeier’s] ability to lead.” Not only did Lohmeier lose his position, but he also lost his pension, which he said was a “severe” blow. Lohmeier pointed out the irony that he was fired due to his opinions, despite claims that the military cared about “diversity.”
Though he expressed sorrow over the loss of his position within the military, Lohmeier felt it was important to speak out about because he believes DEI is a “very divisive ideology” that is now being treated as a “protected religious worldview.”
The Center for American Institutions, part of the Arizona State University, recently commissioned a study about DEI programs within the Pentagon, suggesting that DEI costs are steadily rising within the military. According to the report, taxpayers paid $68 million for DEI programs in 2022 with a proposed budget of nearly $115 million for 2024.
Lohmeier called for the elimination of DEI trainings within the military.
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