U.S. military base schools put new emphasis on Western civilization and Christianity

The U.S. Department of Defense is rolling out a new curriculum in its military base schools this fall that emphasizes Western civilization and Christianity, marking a shift in the educational priorities of the nation's overseas military education system. The initiative, part of a broader effort led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, aims to align instruction with patriotic values and classical learning principles. The course will be based on a textbook titled The Golden Thread: A History of the Western Tradition, Volume I: The Ancient World and Christendom, published by Encounter Books, a conservative publisher. Lesson plans for the course were developed in collaboration with Hillsdale College, a conservative Christian institution in Michigan known for its influence on K-12 curricula. The Department of Defense Education Activity operates approximately 160 schools across 11 countries, educating around 70,000 students, children of active-duty military personnel and civilian service members. These schools, distinct from traditional public institutions, are managed directly by the federal government and have long been viewed by conservatives as a potential platform for reshaping national education standards. The new course represents a deliberate move toward integrating classical learning and religious content into the curriculum, reflecting a growing interest among conservative policymakers in promoting a specific vision of American and global history. Historians and educators who have examined excerpts from the textbook have raised concerns over its portrayal of Western civilization and Christianity. They argue that the material often conflates the two, presenting them as inseparable entities while depicting Islam as a persistent threat. This perspective has drawn criticism from academic circles, with some suggesting that such narratives risk oversimplifying complex historical developments. Phil Gorski, a historical sociology professor at Yale University, expressed skepticism about the course’s alignment with classical education, noting that it might serve as a vehicle for advancing a particular ideological agenda under the guise of classical learning. The changes extend beyond the classroom. The Defense Department has begun hiring instructors trained in classical learning methods and has appointed new academic leaders with backgrounds in conservative-led educational initiatives. Classical education, which traditionally emphasizes the liberal arts, critical thinking, and engagement with the works of ancient philosophers and writers, has gained traction among certain political groups. However, critics highlight that many classical programs disproportionately prioritize Western texts and give limited attention to contributions from non-Western cultures, potentially marginalizing diverse perspectives. This shift aligns with broader conservative efforts to reshape education systems nationwide. Under the Trump administration and in Republican-controlled states, there has been increased pressure on schools to emphasize patriotism and to limit discussions of controversial aspects of American history. Pete Hegseth, prior to his role as defense secretary, had publicly endorsed classical Christian education, arguing that it offers a safeguard against progressive influences that seek to remove religious and historical elements from public life. In his 2022 book Battle for the American Mind, he warned that failing to adopt such educational models risks cultural decline and the erosion of Western civilization itself. While classical Christian schools often frame their mission as defending Western traditions against perceived external threats, the broader classical education movement is not monolithic. Some secular classical schools advocate for a more inclusive approach, incorporating diverse voices and perspectives. Susan Wise Bauer, author of a widely used classical homeschooling curriculum, acknowledges that there is variation in how different institutions define which texts are essential to study. Nevertheless, the current push by the Defense Department suggests a narrowing of educational focus, favoring a distinctly conservative interpretation of history and culture.