The Naming Commission

The Naming Commission
Fish Cop. · Public domain · source
Name	The Naming Commission
Established	2021
Website	https://www.thenamingcommission.gov

The Naming Commission. Formally known as the Commission on the Naming of Items of the Department of Defense that Commemorate the Confederate States of America or Any Person Who Served Voluntarily with the Confederate States of America, it was a congressional commission created to identify and recommend renaming or removal of assets within the United States Armed Forces that honor the Confederacy. Established by the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act, the commission conducted a comprehensive review of bases, Navy vessels, Department of the Army insignia, and other property. Its work culminated in a final report to Congress with specific recommendations, which were subsequently mandated for implementation by the Secretary of Defense.

Background and establishment

The movement to reexamine public symbols commemorating the Confederate States of America gained significant momentum following events like the Charleston church shooting in 2015 and the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017. These events intensified national debate over memorials to figures like Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee. Within the Department of Defense, this scrutiny focused on several major Army installations named for Confederate officers, such as Fort Bragg and Fort Benning. Legislative action was spearheaded by lawmakers including Senator Elizabeth Warren and was included as an amendment to the annual defense policy bill. The commission was officially mandated by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump after a veto override by the United States Congress.

Scope and mandate

The commission's statutory mandate was extensive, covering all assets under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense. This included the names of bases, installations, facilities, streets, and other property. It also reviewed the names of any Department of the Navy vessels and examined all Department of the Army insignia, such as unit patches and mottos. The law specifically directed the commission to consider names that commemorated the Confederate States of America or any person who voluntarily served with it. The commission was required to provide cost estimates for implementing its recommendations and to suggest new names that would honor figures reflective of the United States Armed Forces' diverse history.

Process and methodology

The commission, chaired by retired Navy Admiral Michelle Howard, engaged in a systematic, evidence-based process. It began by compiling a comprehensive inventory of potentially commemorative assets, drawing from Pentagon records and public input. The commission then conducted in-depth historical research, consulting with historians from institutions like the United States Army Center of Military History and the American Battlefield Trust. Public engagement was a key component, with the commission holding town halls, soliciting written comments, and meeting with local community leaders near affected installations like Fort Hood. Its deliberations weighed the historical context of the namesakes' service to the Confederacy against the modern values and cohesion of the United States Armed Forces.

Recommendations and implementation

In its final report to Congress in 2022, the commission recommended renaming nine major Army posts. For example, it proposed changing Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty, Fort Benning to Fort Moore, and Fort Hood to Fort Cavazos, honoring a diverse array of American heroes from Medal of Honor recipient Alwyn Cashe to former Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh Jr.. It also recommended renaming hundreds of other facilities, streets, and two Navy ships, the USNS Maury and USNS John P. Bobo. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 legally mandated the Secretary of Defense to implement all recommendations, a process overseen by Secretary Lloyd Austin and largely completed by the end of 2023.

Public and political reactions

The commission's work elicited strong and polarized reactions. Support from groups like the NAACP and lawmakers such as Senator Tim Kaine hailed it as a necessary step toward racial justice and aligning military values with its symbols. Opponents, including some members of Congress and commentators, criticized it as erasing history or yielding to what they termed "cancel culture." Figures like Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia expressed public disagreement with the process. The renaming ceremonies themselves, often attended by senior military leaders like General James McConville, were somber events that highlighted the new namesakes' service while acknowledging the complex history of the previous designations.

Impact and legacy

The commission's work resulted in the most systematic renaming of Department of Defense assets in modern history, directly affecting the identity of the United States Army's major training centers. Its legacy includes establishing a formal process for evaluating commemorative property, which may inform future reviews. The renaming has also spurred broader conversations within other institutions, such as the United States Military Academy at West Point and the United States Naval Academy, about their own historical ties. By shifting the commemorative landscape to honor individuals like General Colin Powell and Buffalo Soldier Cathay Williams, the commission's actions are viewed as a significant effort to foster a more inclusive environment within the United States Armed Forces. Category:2021 establishments in the United States Category:United States Department of Defense Category:Commissions of the United States Congress