'Authorised, But Not Required': US Air Force Allows Use of Gender Pronouns in Email Signatures

Earlier in the year, after the US State Department openly celebrated International Pronouns Day, tweeting to “share why many people list pronouns on their email and social media profiles", the department was slammed by social media users as getting its “priorities” all wrong.

The United States Air Force has authorised the use of gender-neutral and gender-specific pronouns in electronic signature boxes for communications within the department.

"This guidance provides approval for the use of pronouns in electronic signature blocks and expands on written communication by providing official templates posted on e-publishing website available for download," stated the Air Force correspondence dated 9 December.

"The use of pronouns (he/him, she/her, or they/them) in an email signature block is authorised but not required," the memo adds.

Users on social media were unimpressed. Some believed the "woke" approach was too "predictable".

As an Air Force veteran, it makes me sick to my stomach and extremely disappointed in a once proud service.

— Ernie McGowen (@ErnieMcgowen) December 19, 2021

At least they aren’t mandated. Yet. They will be.

— Skeet Choke (@Colovion) December 19, 2021

NEW LYRICS JUST IN:
“They took the blue from the skies and a pretty [gender fluid’s] eyes and a touch of Old Glory too and gave it to the [53 genders] who proudly wear the U.S. Air Force Blue” !

— Jim (@66GTO69GTX) December 19, 2021

#AndJustLikeThat has its good moments, but I swear it’s trying to hit on literally every social issue of today’s society. Sexuality, gender, pronouns, etc.

Too predictable.

— Bullies and Tattoos (@BulliesTattoos) December 19, 2021

Can you believe that the USAF has Authorized Gender Pronouns? FK, unbelievable…

— Crjxn (@carolyn16677630) December 19, 2021

I'm glad my dad's not around 2 see this. It would break his heart (sctually, no, he'd be pissed AH). He was a member of the USAAC - the Air Force B4 the Air Force was the Air Force.

US Air Force memo authorizes use of gender pronouns in signature blockshttps://t.co/VlWXFg3nsA

— 🇺🇲 Silly Relic 🇺🇸 (@PegasusBoat) December 19, 2021

While we're worried about gender pronouns China is working on perfecting its hypersonic missles to deliver an emp to the USA.

— Willey (@Willey30857546) December 19, 2021

Amid a debate in recent years about the use of nouns and pronouns to suit people of "all genders", organisations ranging from college campuses to workplaces across the US have been adopting "gender-equitable” language in an effort to be more politically correct towards those who don't wish to identify with a single gender or opt to be identified by a gender different from their biological sex.

Earlier this year, the State Department was ridiculed for celebrating International Pronouns Day.

“Today on International Pronouns Day, we share why many people list pronouns on their email and social media profiles,” the department had tweeted.

Today on International Pronouns Day, we share why many people list pronouns on their email and social media profiles. Read more here on @ShareAmerica: https://t.co/gWhoItvGvo.

— Department of State (@StateDept) October 20, 2021

Social media users deemed “promoting a fringe social agenda” to be not at the top of the department’s current priority issues.

pic.twitter.com/AZvQ6TA4d5

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 20, 2021

We have Americans still trapped behind enemy lines and you are displaying our military might by tweeting this bizarre message of multiple genders and sexuality? This cannot be our reality. This is unprofessional and irresponsible. I am at a loss for words right now!

— Code of Vets ™ (@codeofvets) October 20, 2021

As a US citizen I firmly believe if another world war breaks out we will be on the losing side. Our country is focused entirely on in the wrong areas while others are only getting stronger. This country doesn't have the backbone to endure like it previously did.

— BroIDontKnow (@SwoleyMoley_) October 20, 2021

Among other instances of the US military embracing what was slammed as 'woke' by many conservatives was an unconventional recruitment ad.

The video, released by the Pentagon, focused heavily on the diversity and LGBTQ background of its recruits in a colourful cartoon, instead of relying on more traditional messages used in military ads.