Accrediting agencies for U.S. military academies are being scrutinized for their focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) rather than merit-based standards. These agencies play a crucial role in the accreditation of America's five military service academies, which include the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, all accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
The MSCHE has incorporated DEI into its accreditation standards, emphasizing that institutions should reflect on these principles across various aspects such as goals, demographics, curriculum, assessments, and resource allocation. The commission's "Standard II" specifically highlights employment practices with attention to diversity.
The U.S. Military Academy received re-accreditation in 2021 despite delays in oversight visits due to COVID-19 lockdowns. Documentation indicates race was considered in student admissions for 2022-23. The U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy were re-accredited in 2025, with follow-up information requested by MSCHE regarding inclusive decision-making governance.
Other accrediting bodies like the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) also stress diversity in faculty composition and admissions processes at institutions like the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
In May 2025, the Defense Department mandated that all service academies certify they no longer use race- or gender-based admissions practices—a directive potentially conflicting with current accrediting agency requirements.
Oversight of these academies falls under various government officials: President Trump's nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness is retired Brigadier General Anthony Tata; Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy oversees the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem supervises the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
There is a call for re-evaluation of accreditation standards to ensure merit-based admissions and hiring practices at military academies while maintaining oversight on institutions receiving military benefits funding like the GI Bill.
The Trump administration has expressed intentions to remove what it perceives as leftist ideology from educational systems by potentially withdrawing recognition from certain accrediting agencies through directives from Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
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