Senators press academies on civilian faculty mix, tenure and course removals after executive orders

Senators pressed the superintendents of the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy and the United States Air Force Academy about the composition of their faculties, tenure policies for civilian professors and the results of executive‑order driven course reviews.

Why it matters: Faculty composition and academic continuity affect technical instruction and leader development at institutions that commission about one‑fifth of U.S. officers. Lawmakers probed whether changes to faculty policy or course content will harm training, recruiting, or the schools’ ability to adapt to technical innovation.

During the hearing Lieutenant General Stephen Gillen said West Point’s faculty is a “blend of excellence,” with roughly 26 percent civilian faculty in cadet‑facing instruction and about 55 percent of those civilians working in STEM fields. “Our force structure...allows 26% for civilian faculty,” he said. Vice Admiral Yvette Davids said the Naval Academy has historically maintained “a fifty‑fifty civilian to military ratio” and counts a long‑tenured civilian corps that provides continuity; she added that Navy civilians “tend to stay for 30 years or longer.” The Air Force superintendent said civilian faculty make up about 38–40 percent of cadet‑facing instruction at the Air Force Academy.

Senators also explored tenure and accountability. When asked whether a civilian tenured professor can be removed, Gillen replied, “Yes, through the process, we have the ability to, to fire them.” The superintendents said tenure is earned and serves as a recruiting and retention tool for civilian experts.

Lawmakers sought specific results of reviews ordered by the administration. West Point reported a review of more than 600 courses that led to elimination of two electives: “HI 463, Race, Ethnicity, and Nation” (about 25 cadets affected) and “English 352, Power and Difference” (about 12–13 cadets affected). The Naval Academy reported reviewing 870 courses and canceling two: “NL 445, Gender Matters” (a leadership course) and “HE 374, Gender Studies”; the Naval Academy said 18 additional classes required minor adjustments. The Air Force Academy said the review of 735 courses remains in a two‑eyes validation phase, with 55 courses identified for further analysis and three potentially for suspension; the superintendent said he will follow up with course names once a decision is finalized.

Superintendents defended the blended faculty model as necessary for continuity and technical depth, while senators questioned whether administrative changes and compliance with executive orders would hinder recruitment of civilian experts. Senators asked for written follow‑up and the superintendents agreed to provide additional details on courses under review and any personnel implications.

The superintendents’ statements and the course lists will be part of the subcommittee’s record and follow‑up requests.