Navy chief defends nonbinary sailor to Senate amid criticism

Chief of Naval Operations Michael Gilday defended a nonbinary naval officer at a Senate Armed Providers Committee listening to on Tuesday after Republicans referred to as the sailor out for a social media put up the individual made.

Gilday mentioned he was “notably proud” of Lt. j.g. Audrey Knutson, who drew backlash for saying the “coolest” a part of deployment on the USS Gerald Ford final 12 months was studying a poem throughout an LGBT spoken-word poetry night time.

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“I will let you know why I am notably pleased with this sailor," Gilday mentioned. "Her grandfather served throughout World Struggle II, and he was homosexual and he was ostracized within the very establishment that she not solely joined and is proud to be part of, however she volunteered to deploy on Ford. She’ll possible deploy once more subsequent month when Ford goes again to sea."

Knutson's remark occurred throughout a video on the Navy's social media channels. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) mentioned throughout the listening to that he plenty of issues with the put up, however he made additional observe of Knutson's remark, claiming an officer ought to “prioritize their sailors, not themselves" and that the put up was “about herself and her personal achievement.”

Gilday, nonetheless, emphasised that it’s the job of a commanding officer to construct a war-fighting crew.

"The extent of belief that a commanding officer develops throughout that unit must be grounded on dignity and respect," Gilday mentioned. "And so, if that officer can lawfully be part of america Navy, is prepared to serve, and prepared to take the identical oath that you simply and I took to place their life on the road, then I’m proud to serve beside them.”

Republicans on Capitol Hill have lately criticized the navy for being too “woke,” they usually have claimed it contributed to the navy's low recruiting numbers over the previous couple of years. However Sgt. Maj. of the Military Michael Grinston mentioned final month that the Military's precedence continues to be on fight, not on range, fairness, and inclusion coaching.

“There's one hour of equal alternative coaching in primary coaching and 92 hours of rifle marksmanship coaching,” Grinston mentioned. “And when you go to [one station unit training], there may be 165 hours of rifle marksmanship coaching and nonetheless just one hour of equal alternative coaching.”