Mfume, Brown, Hoyer, Ruppersberger, Sarbanes, Raskin and Trone Request Investigation into Bias in Maryland National Guard
Black and women officer candidates were dismissed at significantly higher rates
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmen Anthony G. Brown, Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-MD) called on the National Guard Inspector General to investigate bias in the Maryland National Guard.
According to Maryland Army National Guard Data from 2017 to 2021, Black Officer Candidate School candidates were almost twice as likely to be dismissed as white candidates. During the same time period, female candidates were dismissed 70% more often than their male counterparts.
“The reserve and active duty components must be able to operate as one armed force to meet our security objectives as a nation,” the Members wrote. “It is critical that the implementation of US Army and National Guard policies and procedures within the Maryland National Guard are in conformity to expected standards and with full respect for the rights of the individuals who so choose to answer the call to serve.
The Members continued, “As such, we request that you conduct an investigation into the general consistency of the implementation of US Army and National Guard policies and regulations within the [Maryland Army National Guard Officer Candidate School] program. In the course of such an investigation, we ask that you identify the root causes of any racial disparities in acceptance, dismissal, and graduation rates of officer candidates. We further request that you recommend corrective action based on any findings of your investigation to ensure consistent implementation of all policies and regulations in the [Maryland Army National Guard Officer Candidate School].”
In 2021, Members were made aware of various allegations covering a range of racial and gender bias in the Maryland Army National Guard Officer Candidate School, from individuals being forced to wear symbols of enslavement, to the subjective dismissal of candidates, to subtle yet persistent discrimination. The Maryland Army National Guard has substantiated a portion of these allegations.
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