At the National Character and Leadership Symposium held at the United States Air Force Academy, Lieutenant Colonel Bree Fram, an engineer with the United States Space Force and a transgender-identifying activist, took the stage as a featured speaker on leadership and inclusion. Fram, introduced as one of the highest-ranking out transgender officers in the U.S. military, is known for advocating transgenderism in the armed forces. As a co-leader of the Department of the Air Force LGBTQ+ Initiatives Team, he is dedicated to eliminating barriers to LGBTQ+ military service in the Air and Space Force.
Wearing a uniform adorned with a rainbow flag patch, Fram addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, understanding, and action. He argued that future wars would be won with brainpower, and it is crucial to embrace individuals in a trans body, highlighting their potential contributions to various domains of warfare. The speech aligns with the broader push for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within the military, exemplified by the Pentagon seeking $114 million for such initiatives in fiscal year 2024.
While Fram urged leaders to support left-wing agendas and advocate for marginalized communities, concerns have been raised about the military’s increasing alignment with far-left ideology. The military faces a recruiting crisis, with missed goals and a decline in white recruits. Critics, including Republican officials, argue that the politicization of the military may alienate potential recruits.
Fram’s speech also touched on potential challenges related to the reelection of former President Donald Trump, expressing uncertainty about the future. Despite any concerns raised, an Air Force spokesman defended Fram’s talk, emphasizing the value of diversity and the removal of unnecessary barriers within the military. The spokesman clarified that intentional misgendering might be considered harassment or discrimination under the Equal Opportunity policies, aligning with the official stance that individuals can legitimately change their gender.
Fram’s history of pushing the transgender agenda in the military includes advocating for inclusivity as a matter of national security. He has previously spoken at Department of Defense Pride events and women’s empowerment conferences, promoting symbols of pride, pronoun sharing, and intentional inclusivity. The conservative perspective scrutinizes the military’s growing embrace of left-wing ideologies and its potential impact on recruitment and national security.
