The $2.3 million virtual reality training initiative, aimed at fostering inclusive leadership within the Air Force, has been officially canceled by Elon Musk's DOGE following a government directive.
The Daily Mail reported that the Leading Inclusively Virtual Experience program, designed to enable tough conversations on diversity, was scrapped in alignment with President Donald Trump's executive order.
In early 2023, the Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command announced the initiation of a novel training program called the Leading Inclusively Virtual Experience (LIVE).
This program was introduced under former President Joe Biden's administration, prioritizing inclusivity and addressing unconscious bias among military personnel.
LIVE utilized a combination of virtual reality and real actors to simulate challenging social interactions within a military context.
This setup allowed participants to engage realistically with topics ranging from race and gender to sexual orientation, enhancing their capabilities in managing diverse teams.
The program, having been trialed at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph in Texas on January 26, 2023, received a mixed reception.
Actors played various roles through avatars, interacting with trainees in dynamically scripted scenarios that were observed by fellow soldiers, thus creating a comprehensive group learning environment.
Despite its innovative approach and the administration’s intention to broaden its application, the initiative faced scrutiny. By the close of 2023, LIVE had conducted eight courses involving a total of 160 participants, marking an expansion from three courses and 52 participants in the previous year.
The turning point for LIVE came with the reinstatement of Donald Trump as president and his subsequent initiative to eliminate federal DEI programs.
A new executive order specifically aimed at reducing expenses on such initiatives led to the reconsideration of funding for various programs, including LIVE.
Elon Musk, recently tasked with identifying and cutting ineffective or unnecessary government expenditures, played a pivotal role in the cancellation of the LIVE contract. His intervention was in line with an effort to streamline government operations and reduce overheads on deemed non-critical activities.
The senior White House official stated, “DOGE has canceled a $2.3mm contract with the Air Force's University for the 'profession of arms center of excellence unconscious bias mixed reality service.’” This statement officially marked the end of the government's investment in the program.
The LIVE program was designed as a cutting-edge educational tool that merges interactive virtual reality with live acting to generate dialogues around DEIA issues.
It was touted as offering a "brave space" where participants could safely but boldly engage with sensitive content, learning to navigate and lead through complex social dynamics in military settings.
According to military testimonials, the program was described as a step forward in leveraging technology for enhanced understanding and leadership. One Air Force soldier applauded the program for its ability to host "realistic and difficult" conversations effectively using virtual avatars.
Another testimonial emphasized the innovative streak of the Air and Space Force, praising the LIVE program for keeping them "one step ahead" in managing difficult conversations. This approach was seen as crucial in preparing military leaders for a diverse and continuously evolving global landscape.
Of course, these testimonials ignore the fundamental divisiveness and backwardness of such ideas such as inclusion based on immutable characteristics. DEI ideology is fundamentally anti-American and has no place in the armed forces.