Emerald Coast Times

On August 28, 2024, U.S. Congressmen Matt Gaetz (FL-01) and Eli Crane (AZ-02) issued a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan, seeking answers regarding the U.S. Coast Guard's prioritization of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives over operational readiness. This inquiry follows the USCG’s decision to temporarily decommission several ships due to staffing shortages.

The USCG has reported a shortfall of approximately 4,800 members and has missed its recruiting targets for the past four fiscal years. This deficit has led to the decommissioning of ships and an increased burden on remaining personnel. Concurrently, the USCG is conducting indoctrination training that includes Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) inclusivity training, which some service members view as non-essential to mission-critical tasks.

The letter requests specific information by October 1, 2024, on how SOGI training aids in addressing manning issues and outlines plans to meet recruiting goals and recommission ships.

In their letter, Congressmen Gaetz and Crane state: "We are writing to raise concerns voiced by service members that affect operational readiness of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) amidst its decision to temporarily decommission ships due to staffing shortages."

They further note: "USCG has reported that it is about 4,800 members short and has missed its recruiting targets for the past four fiscal years." The congressmen express concern over indoctrination training programs they believe are extraneous to mission-critical tasks.

The letter includes several questions aimed at understanding the impact of SOGI inclusivity training on recruitment and retention within the USCG:

1. What initiatives are in place to improve manning shortages?

2. What is the plan for recommissioning these ships?

3. How do SOGI inclusivity training events assist in improving manning issues?

4. What was the turnout for this specific event on July 31, 2024?

5. How much of the USCG’s budget has been spent on SOGI inclusivity trainings in the last three fiscal years?

6. What statutory authority or directive supports these trainings?

7. Do personnel receive promotion points or recognition for attending these events?

8. Are these trainings conducted during work hours or as elective classes after duty hours?

9. If ended, what would be the cost savings from discontinuing SOGI inclusivity training?

Gaetz and Crane argue that mission-critical operations should take precedence over DEI programs: "The best recruiting and retention tool at the USCG’s disposal is sailors on ships... SOGI inclusivity programs only serve to separate our service members into groups based on categories irrelevant to national security."

They conclude by requesting an end to SOGI inclusivity training programs within the USCG.

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