A federal judge ruled Friday that the U.S. Naval Academy can continue considering race as part of its admissions process, citing national security interests and military effectiveness as key factors in the decision.
Judge Richard Bennett, who served over 20 years in the U.S. Army Reserve and Maryland National Guard, determined that the academy demonstrated "a compelling national security interest in a diverse officer corps" that warrants different treatment from civilian universities.
The ruling comes after Students for Fair Admissions, the same group behind last year's Supreme Court case that broadly banned race-based college admissions, challenged the military academy exemption. The organization argued that prioritizing minority candidates disadvantages qualified white applicants.
During the two-week trial in September, the Naval Academy's legal team presented evidence that diversity strengthens military capabilities and enhances respect for the armed forces. Testimony from military officials and historians highlighted how racial tensions have previously impacted military readiness and effectiveness.
The judge noted that race plays only a minor role in the academy's comprehensive admissions process, which evaluates candidates on multiple factors including academics, extracurricular activities, life experience, and socioeconomic background. No applicants are admitted solely based on race.
Students for Fair Admissions, which includes four previously rejected Naval Academy applicants among its members, plans to appeal the decision. The organization's president, Edward Blum, expressed hope that military academies would eventually have to follow the Supreme Court's prohibition on race-based admissions.
The Legal Defense Fund, supporting the Naval Academy's position, praised the ruling as protective of military effectiveness and national security interests. The organization emphasized that lack of equal opportunity along racial lines risks mission failure.
This case marks the first trial challenging military academy admissions policies since the Supreme Court's landmark decision on affirmative action, with a similar lawsuit pending against West Point.
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