Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), the group that recently won a major Supreme Court victory against Harvard and the University of North Carolina, is now setting its sights on top military academies, including West Point. The organization is investigating the use of affirmative action in admissions policies at these institutions and has hinted at the possibility of future lawsuits for racial discrimination. In a statement, SFFA expressed hope that the academies would end the use of racial classifications and preferences in their admissions policies. Failure to do so could result in litigation. The group has launched a website, WestPointNotFair.org, encouraging rejected applicants from West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy to share their stories, suggesting that race may have played a role in their rejections. SFFA argues that the consideration of race and ethnicity in admissions is unfair and unconstitutional.

The U.S. government has defended the use of affirmative action at military academies, citing the need for diversity in the armed forces due to national security concerns. The government argues that a diverse officer corps is essential for leading an increasingly diverse fighting force. The Washington Post also supports the idea of racial diversity within military academies, stating that it is crucial for these institutions to reflect the diversity of the nation and enlisted forces.

SFFA, however, maintains that while they respect differences in race and heritage, these factors should not be considered in admissions policies. The organization believes that the culture of the armed services requires each warfighter to view their fellow soldiers as committed teammates, where race, ethnicity, and heritage do not matter.

While the Naval Academy and the Department of Defense have stated that race is only one factor among many considered in admissions, SFFA continues to question the fairness and constitutionality of this practice. The Department of Defense has acknowledged that it is evaluating the implications of the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action and emphasizes its commitment to developing a highly qualified officer corps that reflects the diversity of the American people.

West Point and the Air Force Academy did not respond to requests for comment on the matter. The issue of racial preferences in military admissions has been a topic of debate in the past, with arguments being made on both sides. The Supreme Court, in its ruling on affirmative action, acknowledged the potential distinct interests of military academies in relation to admissions policies. It remains to be seen how this latest challenge to racial preferences in admissions will unfold.