In response to potential Trump administration members’ comments this week targeting minority military members and calling for the elimination of merit-based personnel policies, thirty-three retired Flag and General Officers released a statement today warning against making military personnel decisions on the basis of social judgments and political agendas:

“As retired Flag and General Officers, we believe the incoming administration must firmly commit to ensuring steady leadership of our armed forces based on proven principles of military readiness. More than half a century of history and research has made clear that an inclusive military that prioritizes talent and ability over social judgment and personal prejudice is an essential ingredient of an effective fighting force. This is especially true in a diverse nation like ours, which molds millions of individuals from countless different backgrounds into a unified whole capable of defending our nation and its interests. For generations, women and LGBT service members have been a crucial part of the most effective military in the world, and their service has shown that they are highly capable warriors and that their peers are capable of serving alongside them. No action should be taken to denigrate their honorable service, or to deprive the armed forces of their indispensable contributions.”

Vice Admiral Don Arthur, USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Gen Joseph Ballard, USA (Ret.)

Vice Admiral Kevin Green, USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Claudia J. Kennedy, USA (Ret.)

Lieutenant General David Poythress, USAF (Ret.)

Major General Donna Barbisch, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Christopher Cole, USN (Ret.)

Major General Vance Coleman, USA (Ret.)

Major General J. Gary Cooper, USMC (Ret.)

Major General Paul Eaton, USA (Ret.)

Major General Mari K. Eder, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral John D. Hutson, USN (Ret.)

Major General Dennis Laich, USA (Ret.)

Major General Fred Leigh, USA (Ret.)

Major General Randy Manner, USA (Ret.)

Major General Melvyn Montaño, USAF (Ret.)

Major General Gale S. Pollock, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Paul Rosser, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Joe Sestak, USN (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Alan M. Steinman, USPHS/USCG (Ret.)

Major General Antonio Taguba, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Dick Young, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Clara Adams-Ender, USA (Ret.)

Brigadier General Roosevelt Barfield, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Jamie Barnett, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Julia Cleckley, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Jay Deloach, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General Pat Foote, USA (Ret.)

Brigadier General David McGinnis, USA (Ret.)

Brigadier General Ronald Rokosz, USA (Ret.)

Brigadier General John Schuster, USA (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Michael Smith, USN (Ret.)

Brigadier General George Walls, USMC (Ret).