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Groups of Army cadets in formation holding rifles and marching on the West Point Military Academy parade field.
Clubs for women in engineering, Native American heritage, and LGBTQ+ support have been disbanded.
The United States Military Academy at West Point has moved to dismantle 12 cadet organizations, including affinity groups and engineering societies, following President Donald Trump’s executive orders to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across the federal government.
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An internal memorandum from the Department of the Army, dated February 4 and widely circulated online, orders the immediate shutdown of these student groups, barring them from holding meetings, planning events, or maintaining any public presence. All other cadet clubs must pause activities pending a review to determine whether they align with federal mandates.
The groups eliminated include Spectrum, an LGBTQ+ cadet support network; the Latin Cultural Club; the Native American Heritage Forum; the National Society of Black Engineers; the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers; and the Society of Women Engineers. According to the directive, all traces of these organizations must be removed from public platforms. The memo states: “Moreover, these clubs are not authorized to continue informal activities using Government time, resources, or facilities.”
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West Point’s action follows broader steps by the Department of Defense to dismantle diversity initiatives in the military, including the closure of Army and Air Force DEI offices. These moves starkly contrast the sentiments expressed by former Vice President Kamala Harris during her historic commencement address at West Point in 2023. As the first woman to deliver a graduation speech in the academy’s 221-year history, Harris underscored the importance of diversity in the military, saying, "Our military is strongest when it fully reflects the people of America."
Critics say that shutting down these groups strips cadets of crucial networks that provide leadership development, career mentorship, and personal support.
The decision has also raised concerns over selective enforcement. While these clubs have been disbanded, some cultural and academic groups—such as the West Point Polish Club and the West Point Humanist Society—have not been subjected to the same order. The discrepancy has led to questions about whether specific communities are being unfairly targeted.
Knights Out, an advocacy group of LGBTQ+ West Point alumni, condemned the decision in a statement on Instagram: “Knights Out is aware of the current administration’s efforts to end and erase the selfless service of our trans servicemembers, as well as deny any public recognition of LGBTQIA+ identities. While we work with officials at USMA and our sister academies to understand what this means for our LGBTQIA+ cadets and servicemembers, no executive order or policy will stop us from protecting and preserving our extraordinary community—who show us every day that service to the nation is not dependent on individual identity. Our military serves all Americans; all Americans should be able to serve in it.”
In response to questions from The Advocate, the U.S. Military Academy Communications Office sent a statement explaining that the programs were cut after a review. “In accordance with recent guidance, the U.S. Military Academy is reviewing programs and activities affiliated with our former office of Diversity and Inclusion,” the office wrote. “The clubs disbanded yesterday were sponsored by that office. More than one hundred clubs remain at the U.S. Military Academy, and our leadership will continue to provide opportunities for cadets to pursue their academic, military, and physical fitness interests while following Army policy, directives, and guidance.”
Rachel Branaman, executive director of the Modern Military Association of America, denounced the move.
“We are deeply disappointed by West Point’s decision to disband student LGBTQ+ and other cultural heritage groups,” Branaman told The Advocate in a statement. “Given that cadets reside on campus throughout their four-year education and have restricted off-post access, the impact of this policy on the ability of these groups to assemble is significant. The directive effectively bans LGBTQ+ cadet gatherings, signaling that cadets must suppress fundamental aspects of their identity. This policy will negatively impact cadet learning, unit cohesion, and morale at West Point among current cadets and potentially lead to a significant decline in enrollment should this discriminatory policy continue.”
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