WEST POINT DISBANDS CADET CULTURAL CLUBS IN RESPONSE TO DEI CRACKDOWN

By Allison Kirschbaum

The U.S. Military Academy, based at West Point, has ended cultural clubs in response to President Donald Trump's executive order to eliminate programs that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion across the Defense Department and the Coast Guard.

A memo released this February from Col. Chad R. Foster, the deputy commandant of West Point, said the academy was issuing changes "in accordance with recent Presidential executive orders."

The memo listed sanctioned clubs that were disbanded, including the Asian-Pacific Forum Club, the Japanese Forum Club, the Latin Cultural Club, the National Society of Black Engineers Cub, the Native American Heritage Forum, and the Society of Women Engineers Club.

West Point Stops Cultural Clubs After DEI Ban

The memo regarding the banning says to cancel all trip sections, meetings, events, and other activities associated with cultural clubs.

These clubs are not authorized to continue informal activities using Government time, resources, or facilities. The clubs were directed to "permanently cease all activities" and remove or deactivate all public-facing content, but records of them could be kept.

The academy's Directorate of Cadet Activities was further told to review and revalidate all other sanctioned clubs not listed in the memo "to ensure they are aligned with applicable Presidential Executive orders."

Trump signed four executive orders pertaining to the military on January 27 where they reinstated members of the military who were terminated or forced to separate because of vaccination mandates, established a process to develop an "American Iron Dome," a missile defense shield that eliminates "gender radicalism" within the military and eliminated DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) services and offices within the military.

Cultural Clubs Disbanded After New Orders

Members of the Society of Black Engineers at West Point Academy can probably forget about attending the national group's annual conference next month. That's because the United States Military Academy, one of five American service academies that train cadets for the U.S. Army, is disbanding its Society of Black Engineers chapter and at least 11 other clubs, according to a recent internal memorandum circulated online.

The memo, issued in accordance with President Donald Trump's executive orders cracking down on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and offices across the federal government, instructs 12 specific clubs to immediately cease all formal and informal activities and remove public-facing content.

The move comes after the U.S. Army and Air Force shuttered their respective DEI offices and programs and removed related media and training on January 23.

The U.S. Military Academy communications office said the clubs had been dissolved because they were affiliated with the DEI office. According to the memo, a dozen clubs were disbanded, while other clubs have had their activities paused until the directorate of cadet activities can review and revalidate their status.

Cadet Cultural Clubs Banned After West Point's New Orders

West Point has disbanded many student groups which have been advocates of diversity. This happened after Trump issued new orders.

The list of banned student groups, all of which were open to all cadets irrespective of identity, includes the following:

Asian-Pacific Forum Club: They promoted the general knowledge and application of knowledge about the Asian-Pacific region.
The Contemporary Cultural Affairs Seminar Club: Supported cadets "transitioning from civilian to cadet and cadet to an officer" through "academic services, mentorship, professional development opportunities, and community outreach programs."
The Corbin Forum: Promoted women's leadership within the Army.
The Japanese Forum Club: They describe the club as a place for promoting "understanding and appreciation of Japanese culture and language;" the Korean American Relations Seminar, which focused on education around the Korean American experience.
The Latin Cultural Club: They operated two subordinate clubs: West Point Latin Dance and the mentorship- and outreach-focused Latina Connection.
The Native American Heritage Forum: The mission of this club is to "educate members of the Corps of Cadets about the history, heritage, and current affairs of Native Americans."
Spectrum: A social club that provided support to LGBTQ cadets and promoted acceptance of LGBTQ people in the military community.
The Vietnamese-American Cadet Association: They aimed to increase "cultural awareness of the Vietnamese-American experience" and the "legacy of Vietnamese-American veterans." It also included the West Point chapters of the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers, and the Society of Women Engineers.

Trump's DEI Initiatives Ended Cultural Groups at West Point

It has been seventy-five years since the U.S. military's landmark integration, and there is now a discussion about banning affinity clubs and cultural celebrations. Many see this as a step backward, reminiscent of the challenges faced by service members of color under segregation.

The memo states these clubs cannot continue informal activities using government time, resources, or facilities.

Some have expressed their emotions on X, a social media site. Another user, who identified as a Society of Women Engineers member, expressed that the club provided a valuable space for like-minded women to connect and discuss shared interests.

She stated, "As a female, I can attest that finding other women friends who aren't focused on makeup and clothes is challenging. Any engineering group would be beneficial, but many women joining are unlikely."

Indeed, the disbanding of the cultural clubs has been a question for everyone, but it's clear that there's nothing that the members can do other than follow the memo.

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