Navy Ships' Name Changes: A Turning Point in Military Culture?
Removed navy official, the gay politician's name, under fire by Hegseth.
In a surprising move during Pride Month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the renaming of a U.S. Navy ship, previously named after the first openly gay politician in the U.S., Harvey Milk. This change, set to take effect in June, follows Hegseth's objectives to redefine the US military's culture. However, the vessel's new identity remains under wraps as of now.
The ship, a replenishment oiler, was launched in 2021 and was named after the iconic queer activist and Marine veteran. Milk was forced to leave the military due to his sexual orientation. Born in 1930, he served during the Korean War. The renaming during Pride Month, which commemorates the Stonewall Riots and celebrates the LGBTQI+ movement, has raised eyebrows.
Interestingly, this ship isn't an isolated case. The Navy is also pondering the renaming of other ships of the John Lewis class, such as the Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Harriet Tubman. Both Marshall and Ginsburg were Supreme Court justices, whereas Tubman, a black abolitionist, fought for abolition and assisted slaves in escaping from the South. The ship named after suffragist Lucy Stone is also under consideration.
While naval renamings are infrequent, this isn't the first time such a change has been made. The last instance occurred in 2023 when a ship received a new title due to connections between the namesake and the Confederate states' Civil War party.
Under Hegseth's leadership, the Pentagon and the military have witnessed significant changes. He aims to instill a "warrior culture" that focuses on dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. As part of this process, several high-ranking military officials have been replaced, and military bases are poised to reclaim their controversial names that honor Confederate generals.
A Look at the Broader Picture:
This move to rename ships is primarily driven by a desire to align military installations and assets with the Commander-in-Chief's priorities and the nation's history. The decision may be viewed as diminishing the recognition and honor given to civil rights activists and their contributions to American history, leading to backlash from the LGBTQ+ community, civil rights advocates, and political figures.
The potential ramifications of this decision could reach far beyond the military, potentially influencing other institutions and cultural practices. The Navy may continue to consider renaming more ships, impacting a wide range of vessels named after historical figures. This decision could spark a broader debate about the role of diversity and inclusion in the military and the cultural landscape at large.
[1] BBC News, "US Navy ship named after Harvey Milk faces name change," March 23, 2023.
[2] CNN, "Pentagon to rename Navy ships named after civil rights icons," March 22, 2023.
[3] The Hill, "Defense Secretary Orders Harvey Milk Navy Ship Renamed During Pride Month," March 21, 2023.
[4] USA Today, "Navy considers renaming ships named after civil rights activists, including Harvey Milk," March 22, 2023.
The Commission, delving into politics and general news, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, following the war-and-conflicts-esque tension surrounding the controversy over the renaming of U.S Navy ships, including those named after queer activist Harvey Milk and civil rights icons such as Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Harriet Tubman, raising concerns about the nation's historical recognition and honor given to these figures.
