The group behind this case, Students for Fair Admissions, was also behind the lawsuit challenging affirmative action that resulted in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year, when the court's conservative majority prohibited the consideration of race and ethnicity in college admissions.
That decision ended a longstanding practice meant to boost opportunities for historically marginalized groups and sent shockwaves through higher education. But it carved out a potential exemption for military academies, suggesting that national security interests could affect the legal analysis. Students for Fair Admissions, which was founded by conservative activist Edward Blum, later sued the Annapolis-based Naval Academy challenging the exemption.
A bench trial began last week in Baltimore federal court before Judge Richard Bennett, a George W. Bush appointee who served for over 20 years in the U.S.
Army Reserve and the Maryland National Guard. Witness testimony during the first week of the trial included accounts from current and former high-ranking military officials who expressed varying opinions on how race affects the experiences of servicemembers and the organization as a whole. Lt.
Col. Dakota Wood, a retired Marine Corps officer and 1985 Naval Academy graduate, said racial and ethnic diversity are irrelevant when creating a cohesive and effective fighting force. Wood, who is white, said what matters most is that all members are held to high performance standards.
Capt. Jason .