Politics

‘It’s Weakening Our Military’: Marine Vet Defends Hegseth, Says Military’s Push For Diversity Undermines Recruitment

A Marine Corps veteran defended, Tuesday on Newsmax, Pete Hegseth and expressed concerns about the impact of diversity initiatives on military recruitment and standards. (Screenshot/Newsmax)

A Marine Corps veteran appeared on Newsmax Tuesday to defend Pete Hegseth and express her concerns about the impact of diversity initiatives on military recruitment and standards.

Speaking from her extensive experience overseeing recruitment in Orange County, Calif., Jessica Quezada said that there is a growing trend within military recruitment policies that prioritize diversity quotas. During an appearance on “Rob Schmitt Tonight,” Quezada also said there’s a quota for females within the organization.

“I served as a marketing director for the Marine Corps recruiting band in Orange County, California for four years, and there is in fact a quota for females, for diverse populations of ethnic backgrounds, and educational scores, athletics, like we are constantly evaluating the types of individuals that are coming in so it fits a diverse narrative,” Quezada told Rob Schmitt.

Quezada said diversity is important, but it should not compromise the standards traditionally upheld by the Marine Corps.

“And I don’t believe there’s anything inherently wrong with wanting to have diversity within our ranks but that is given the fact that they meet our standards continuously across the things that you actually mentioned tonight. There is a lack of desire to serve because there is no more incentive to be proud of the title that they earn,” Quezada said.

Reflecting on the past strength of the military, Quezada said she’s concerned about its current trajectory.

“The standards across the board have been lowered not just for women in combat roles but in the United States military itself. Look at all the things that have been crossed off in order to join based on high school diplomas, GEDs, physical tests, these things are happening and it’s weakening our military from the outside in,” Quezada said.

During Tuesday’s confirmation hearing, Hegseth said that numerous active duty service members informed him that the military had reduced its standards to fulfill quotas for women and other diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He said that this practice is demeaning to the capable women who serve.

“That disparages those women who are incredibly capable of meeting that standard,” Hegseth said regarding DEI standards and quotas.

Hegseth served as an infantry officer in the Army National Guard in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, according to his website. Numerous veterans and military colleagues who have served alongside Hegseth have endorsed his nomination for the position of secretary of defense by signing a letter of support.

(Featured Image Media Credit: Screenshot/Newsmax)