In 2011, DOD released a commission’s report, “From Representation to Inclusion: Diversity Leadership for the 21st Century Military,” and the “Department of Defense Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan (2012‑2017). More than a decade later, DOD has fully accomplished just six of the 18 recommendations set out in the documents, according to a new inspector general’s report.
“As a result of a lack of defined policy, roles and responsibilities, and data collection, the DOD cannot determine what progress has been made and what still needs to be accomplished,” investigators wrote.
The goals DOD met include adopting a definition of diversity, getting military leaders to commit to diversity as a priority, helping service members make informed career choices, allowing women in combat, studying the gender retention gap and creating the position of chief diversity officer, as Military Times noted.
The report recommended that DOD and the service-level diversity offices establish an oversight plan to work toward the remaining goals.
Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Chelsea Smith