'Do We Have Too Many White Officers In The Air Force?': Eric Schmitt Confronts Joint Chiefs Nominee

At today's Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) questioned Gen. Charles Q. Brown, nominee to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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[leondraw]

He just made it very clear as to why recruiting numbers are so far down.

[StarSloop]

I am an old school USAF veteran---I would prefer to be commanded by a competent officer who has the position on merit rather than what color or gender the person is. This is disturbing.

[AGRANT]

I truly believe we will not see the affects of this until its too late.

[Sardonic-Angel]

Gray Matter
The only color that really matters in the end

[leffster]

It's frightening that DEI politics has been introduced to the military, we should want the best people regardless of race

[rocloerocloe]

I just retired from 23 years in the AF. Gen Brown is consumed with DEI initiatives and race. He is absolutely part of the problem. So sad.

[norman]

As a veteran i fear for this country with these bafoons in charge.

[rsvette]

I am a Air Force vet and I am ashamed of what is going on in our military!

[johnholliday]

Some Senator should ask him, "General, how did you attain 4-Star rank? Did you get pushed up the ladder because of your race?" and see if he is insulted.

[madmanaustinmadman]

As a black veteran I can tell you our military is done

[kevinhealey]

This is going to compound the problem even more of the armed service not reaching their recruitment goals.

[gishjalmr]

A Policy like this is one of the main reasons the government is not able to meet its recruitment quotas. I served eight years, and had I known it would be like it is now, I would not have enlisted.

[heathirblackwell]

What the hell is this question? Competence is all that should matter.

[prayerforceone]

As a Black man I am absolutely ashamed of this man’s answer here. I respect him for his service, but he’s dead wrong about this. He’s pandering to some agenda put on him by his superiors. Also, absolutely those who were fired because of stupid c0vid reasons should be fully reinstated with back pay and an apology.

[chancevonfreund]

Get the best people for the job folks! It's not that hard to do. SHOULD NOT be based on race or gender or filling quotas. 🇺🇸

[MrDbzwolle]

Another General for the school books! You know if I were a soldier in the trenches and fighting, I would not care if, my fellow soder, was Asian, black, yellow, orange, white, pink! We all bleed the same, and would all be in the same boat, leave it to an armchair General to make up silly work to justify his job!

[davidrichardson]

Well said, Congressman. He handled that very well. And he’s right.

[hutch]

Equality over equity! If you work hard and you have the skills, merit, and most qualified for the job you should have the job over someone less qualified.

[alangarrett]

Fire him and anyone else who believes in quotas over ability.

[jenniferthreatt]

Thank you Senator Schmitt for calling him out!