The United States Air Force Academy is telling cadets not to use the words “mom and dad” when referring to their parents and instead use words that “include all genders.”
According to documents obtained by Fox News, diversity and inclusion training at the academy includes a presentation titled “Diversity & Inclusion: What it is, why we care, & what we can do,” which directs cadets to use “person-centered” language.
“Some families are headed by single parents, grandparents, foster parents, two moms, two dads, etc.: consider ‘parent or caregiver’ instead of ‘mom and dad,'” the training states. “Use words that include all genders: ‘Folks’ or ‘Y’all’ instead of ‘guys’; ‘partner’ vs. ‘boyfriend or girlfriend.’”
The training also advises cadets against being “colorblind” when it comes to an individual’s race and urges cadets to be “color conscious” instead.
“Not ‘Colorblind’ or ‘I don’t see color,’ but Color Conscious,” it adds. “We see Color/Patterns AND VALUE people for their uniqueness.”
Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL), a Green Beret and Afghan War veteran, gave the documents to Fox News Digital after cadets expressed concern over the material.
“Now we’re instructing every cadet entering the Air Force to not say ‘mom’ and ‘dad,’ to not say ‘boyfriend’ or ‘girlfriend,’ and this kind of drive towards gender neutrality,” he said. “I think the Air Force should be worried about the macro aggressions against America that are happening all over the world.”
Diversity and inclusion training is an important aspect of “developing warfighters” who are “prepared to lead the USAF/USSF with character,” another slide in the presentation asserts.
“How can we Lift Others (motivate our teams) if we don’t know our people?” the slide asks. “How can we Elevate Performance if we don’t include people during planning and execution?”
“Today we are preparing to face challenges that may not exist today,” it continues. “For example, Information Warfare only became a career field 7 years ago, and we stood up the Space Force in 2019. This makes our need to innovate critical. Thus, our leaders have deemed D&I a warfighting imperative.”
In August, multiple former U.S. Navy SEALs confirmed Donald Trump Jr.’s recent claim that members of the elite force are spending more time on diversity training than they are shooting under Commander-in-Chief Joe Biden’s presidency.
