New Pentagon Strategy Calls for Increased DEI Funding, Recruitment of ‘Non-Traditional Communities’

The Pentagon is releasing a new strategy for the development of the defense-industrial base, which will prioritize diversity initiatives as a means of developing the workforce. The Department of Defense (DoD) will invest in “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) initiatives, including increased funding for programs to recruit from “non-traditional communities,” the new National Defense Industrial Strategy (pdf) says. “The untapped potential of underrepresented groups can be crucial, especially as the worker shortage increases,” the document reads. “Inclusive hiring practices and a diverse work culture are important for building workforce readiness.” The DEI initiatives fall under the strategy’s priority of “workforce development.” There are three other areas of focus, including building resilient supply chains, employing flexible acquisition, and leveraging economic deterrence....