Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities (IETC), today issued the following statement regarding President Trump's threat to reverse updates to the Navy SEALs and the Navy Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) ethos and creed statements:
"Recently, the Navy SEALs updated the SEAL Ethos and SWCC Creed to make it gender neutral and inclusive. I applaud these changes and the commanders and master chiefs who made this happen.
"Unfortunately, as the SEALs endeavor to create a more diverse and lethal force, President Trump threatens to reverse this decision in defiance of the judgment of our professional military leaders. This is yet another example of this President's inappropriate and dangerous reach into the military, especially as Special Operations Command seeks to implement sustainable change following its recently completed comprehensive review of special operations forces culture and ethics. We cannot lose momentum on implementing the recommendations that came out of this important review. Our special operators and their families deserve a serious and thoughtful process that leads to improvements in culture and ethics.
"Special Operations Forces perform some of the most dangerous missions for our country, and I'm incredibly proud of our special operations community. Much work does remain, however, to make our military, including Special Operations Forces, more inclusive, particularly at higher ranks and in key positions of authority. Thankfully, many members of our armed forces recognize the need for change. Diversity in SOF is an oversight priority for my subcommittee, and I look forward to engaging further with the Special Operations Command and civilian leadership on this matter."