The United States Naval Academy has announced a significant change in its admissions policy, which will eliminate race, ethnicity, and sex as key factors in the selection of candidates. This decision follows an executive order from former President Donald Trump, as detailed in federal court documents released on Friday. The Academy’s Superintendent, Vice Adm. Yvette Davids, implemented this change in February, adhering to the directives outlined in the January executive order.
This new policy shift aligns with the President’s mandate from January 27, which stipulated that the Armed Forces operate without preferences based on race or sex. The order also called for a comprehensive review by the Secretary of Defense, scrutinizing all activities that aim to promote systems of preference based on race or sex, encompassing practices at service academies.
The internal guidance, dated February 14, 2025, specifies that race, ethnicity, or sex should not influence any aspect of the admission process, including qualification and acceptance stages. This was highlighted in a court filing made public last Friday.
This decision emerged after a prior ruling in December allowed the Academy to consider race in its admission decisions. The ruling acknowledged the importance of military cohesion and national security factors, distinguishing the Academy’s approach from civilian universities’ standards.
During a two-week bench trial in September, Academy representatives argued that diversity bolsters military effectiveness, respect, and strength. However, Students for Fair Admissions, an organization opposing the previous policy, appealed the judge’s decision. They argued that race-based admissions were unfair and illegal.
In light of the new policy, the Justice Department has requested a pause on the current case proceedings, giving the involved parties ample time to discuss the changes and deliberate future actions. This includes evaluating whether the case remains pertinent and if the previous ruling should be overturned.
Edward Blum, president of Students for Fair Admissions, welcomed the Academy’s decision, denouncing racial classifications as inappropriate within military academies. However, Maryland Representative Sarah Elfreth, a Democrat on the Academy’s Board of Visitors, criticized the shift, warning of detrimental effects on military recruitment and retention.
She emphasized that a Navy and Marine Corps that mirrors the nation’s diversity is crucial for mission readiness and national security. Diversity and inclusion, she argued, are vital components for a robust military force.
This case traces back to a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2023, instigated by Students for Fair Admissions, which curtailed race-based considerations in college admissions. The ruling was a pivotal change in promoting opportunities for historically marginalized groups. However, the decision allowed room for military academies to potentially claim exemptions due to national security interests.
Afterward, Students for Fair Admissions challenged the Naval Academy’s exemption. However, Judge Richard Bennett concluded that the Academy had a justified national security interest in fostering a diverse officer corps.
During the trial, the organization’s attorneys contended that prioritizing minority candidates was unjust to eligible white applicants, suggesting cohesion should emanate from training and command structure rather than demographics. The Academy maintained that it evaluates candidates on various criteria, including academic performance, extracurricular involvement, life experiences, and socioeconomic status, noting that race was considered in a limited manner in some instances.