US Army Lieutenant General Telita Crosland, a prominent Black female officer and head of the military’s health agency, was reportedly forced to retire after 32 years of service, according to sources. This announcement follows a significant shake-up by President Trump, who recently dismissed senior military officials. Crosland’s retirement was publicly acknowledged, but officials indicate it was mandated without any provided explanation. The Pentagon has not clarified the circumstances surrounding her departure, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has moved to eliminate diversity programs, which some argue are essential for addressing inequities within the military.
Washington:
US Army Lieutenant General Telita Crosland, who led the military’s health agency and was one of the highest-ranking Black female officers in the Army, was compelled to retire on Friday, according to two sources who spoke with Reuters. This decision follows just a week after President Donald Trump dismissed the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff along with several senior officers in an extraordinary upheaval.
While Crosland’s retirement was made public, Reuters is the first to report that she was coerced into concluding her 32-year military service.
On Friday, Stephen Ferrara, the acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, announced that Crosland had begun her retirement process.
“I want to express my gratitude to Crosland for her commitment to the nation, the military health system, and Army medicine over the past 32 years,” Ferrara stated.
However, a current and a former official, who requested anonymity, indicated that Crosland was instructed to retire without being provided an explanation for the decision.
The Pentagon did not disclose the reasons behind Crosland’s retirement and directed Reuters to the Defense Health Agency, which did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has swiftly worked to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at the Pentagon, claiming they create division.
Earlier this month, Hegseth stated that he believed “diversity is our strength” to be the “single dumbest phrase in military history.”
Hegseth has also put an end to the observance of identity month celebrations, including Black History Month and Women’s History Month.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs aim to enhance opportunities for women, ethnic minorities, and other groups that are often underrepresented. Civil rights advocates contend that such initiatives, typically supported by Democrats, are essential for addressing deep-seated inequities and systemic racism.
In a piece published on the health agency’s website last year, Crosland minimized her identity as a Black woman in the Army.
“I don’t really contextualize my daily activities through the lens of my race or gender. That has always been a challenging question for me,” she remarked.
“It’s not that I don’t recognize the responsibility … certainly, there are difficulties that accompany being a woman in the military, as well as being African American while serving.”
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