DSD Memorandum

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
1010 DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON , DC 20301-1010

MAY - 3 2022

MEMORANDUM FOR SENIOR PENTAGON LEADERSHIP
COMMANDERS OF THE COMBATANT COMMANDS
DEFENSE AGENCY AND DOD FIELD ACTIVITY DIRECTORS
SUBJECT: Internal Review Team on Racial Disparities in the Investigative and Military Justice
Systems
Racial disparities in the investigative and military justice systems have been a problem
for far too long, and it is incumbent on the Department to take immediate action to correct these
issues wherever they exist. Our people deserve nothing less.
To address this issue, I am directing the establishment of an Internal Review Team (IRT)
on-Racial Disparities in the Military Justice System. This review will be a 3-month effort that
will focus on addressing the root causes of racial disparities in the investigative and military
justice systems.
The review will provide actionable recommendations that the Department can implement
to improve policies, programs, processes, and resources to address these disparities. It will
incorporate ongoing work within the Military Departments, and complement independent
external reviews of this issue. This review will be a subset of the broader and more
comprehensive Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives the Department
is already pursuing under the leadership of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness (USD(P&R)).
The IRT will be co-led by two subject matter experts (SMEs): one with expertise in
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility and the other a general/flag officer with
command-level experience and expertise in the military justice system. Additionally, the IRT
leads will be supported by a core group of executive-level SMEs. To that end, I am directing the
Military Services to each nominate members, as follows below, to serve on the IRT on a full­
time basis for 90 days (after which, the time commitment may be less than full-time, but may last
up to 6 months) for my final review and selection.
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Operational Lead with the following qualifications: minimum two-star grade;
experience as a General Court-Martial Convening Authority; operational career field
representing a core Service competency (e.g., combat arms, aviation, Navy Line
Officer)

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One Senior Executive Service (SES) or general/flag officer member of a Military
Criminal Investigative Organization

•

One SES or general/flag officer SME on military justice from the Judge Advocate
General/Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps;

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One SES or general/flag officer SME in DEJA; and

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One GS-14/GS- l 5 or 0-5/0-6 to serve as an action officer and liaison between the
IRT and the action officer's Military Service.

The USD(P&R) will identify an Executive Secretary to administratively support the IRT.
To inform its recommendations, the IRT will meet with SMEs, may establish ad hoc
subcommittees focusing on specific elements of the investigative and military justice processes,
and utilize Military Department-level and Military Service-level assessments and reviews related
to racial disparity in the military justice system and investigative processes (e.g., the Air Force's
2020 and 2021 Independent Racial Disparity Reviews), to be provided by the Military
Departments.
The IRT will commence its work no later than June 1, 2022, and produce a charter for my
signature within IO days. The IRT will provide its findings to me by August 24, 2022.
Please provide all of your documents associated with reviews or assessments you have
conducted regarding racial disparities in the military justice or investigative processes, and your
IRT nominees (names, bias/resumes, and contact information) for the positions described above
to my point of contact for this matter, Julie Blanks, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for
Personnel and Readiness, at [email protected].

It is my expectation that the Department is timely and thorough in addressing all requests
made by the IRT for the duration if its review. Thank you for your support of this very important
matter.

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