Amidst criticism from some Republicans, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth has refuted claims that the military has become "woke," asserting that such accusations are exacerbating the ongoing recruitment crisis. Wormuth emphasized that the Army is "ready, not woke," echoing statements she and Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville have made to Congress. This debate comes as all military branches face scrutiny over policies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), with critics suggesting these initiatives are prioritized over combat readiness.

The military is grappling with its most severe recruiting challenges since the transition to an all-volunteer force. The Army, in particular, fell short of its fiscal year 2022 recruitment targets by 15,000 soldiers. Despite recent optimism about improvements, the Army anticipates missing its 2023 goals as well. Wormuth suggests that the "woke" narrative adds another layer of difficulty to the recruitment landscape.

A U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Station. (Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Wormuth expressed concern that politicizing military leadership erodes public trust in the institution. She believes that involving military leaders in politically charged discussions fuels the perception of their own political biases, which she insists is inaccurate. She hopes to see less of this type of rhetoric in the future.

Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Conversely, figures like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a potential 2024 presidential candidate, argue that the emphasis on "woke" policies is a key factor contributing to the recruitment downturn. DeSantis, a Navy veteran, contrasts the current military with his own experience, citing an increased focus on political ideologies, including gender pronouns and DEI initiatives, as detrimental to recruitment efforts.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (AP/Maya Alleruzzo)

While Wormuth acknowledged the negative impact of the "woke military" narrative on recruitment, she attributed this perception to political discourse rather than actual military policies. She aims to address the ongoing criticism and its consequences for attracting new recruits.