As we mark 75 years since the signing of Executive Order 9981, we find ourselves reflecting on the significance of President Harry S. Truman's trailblazing mandate to abolish racial segregation within America's armed forces. This historic directive signaled an essential shift in the United States’ movement toward racial integration. In a new century, our 33rd president’s boldness echoes throughout today's military and wider society. EO 9981 was the beginning of a commitment to the ideals of diversity and inclusion that remain mission critical in fortifying the backbone of our armed forces.

The arc of Truman’s life, one that began in racially divided Independence, Mo., and culminated with him in a leadership role championing racial equality, tells a tale of profound personal evolution. A young Capt. Truman’s experiences as a field artillery officer in France during World War I exposed him to a world beyond his midwestern roots, sparking this transformation. In June 1947, Truman became the first U.S. president to address the NAACP. Speaking from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, he proclaimed: “We have reached a turning point in our country’s efforts to guarantee freedom and equality for all our citizens. … It is more important today than ever before to insure than all Americans enjoy these rights. When I say all Americans, I mean all Americans.”

Just over a year later, he exercised his authority to sign this executive order — but not without critique or controversy. Known for his decisiveness, he catapulted the military onto a journey of transformation. This plain-spoken — and some might say “improbable” — commander in chief took these actions on his own, without approval from either Congress or the Joint Chiefs of Staff, because he believed deeply that it was simply the right thing to do. By breaking down longstanding racial barriers, he set a vision to incentivize a Department of Defense in which merit supersedes all else — a legacy that continues today.

As our world evolves, our armed services must, too. Policymaking in recent years has further advanced the gains envisioned by Truman. The revocation of “don't ask, don't tell” and the Combat Exclusion Policy mark substantial advancements toward a more inclusive military, opening service to all, regardless of sexual orientation and enabling women to serve in combat roles.

The career of one of the authors would not have been possible but for EO 9981, and it would have been an injustice for our country not to have the U.S. Naval Academy commission trailblazers like father-son alumni, Charlie and Ché Bolden. Upon retiring as a major general in the U.S. Marine Corps, astronaut Charlie Bolden served as administrator of NASA. Distinguished public servants like them are examples of what EO 9981 made possible; the Boldens stand as a testament to the many benefits of dismantling systemic barriers within the armed services.

Today, our armed forces still grapple to fully embrace the advantages of a truly diverse force. For example, we see this in findings of a 2021 USMC Aviation Diversity Study, which exposes the work still necessary to ensure representation across all levels — particularly in USMC tactical fixed wing aviation.

The pursuit of true access to opportunity and advancement within our armed services transcends political boundaries. It is an intrinsic American principle. Despite the significant advances made throughout the last 75 years, the road to total inclusivity and equity is still being paved. We must rise to meet these challenges, continually enacting policies that promote a culture of equity, which is integral to the resilience and effectiveness of our military.

Despite not having an elite education — he was the last American president who did not attend college — Truman was wise and prescient. When approached by bipartisan admirers about a monument on the National Mall, he rejected the premise and explicitly requested a living memorial, one that would continue to improve the nation he loved dearly. Since 1975, that has been the very mission of the Truman Foundation, an independent federal agency within the White House. Today, over 3,500 Truman Scholars from every state in the nation, plus the District of Columbia and U.S. territories, are charged with the responsibility to meet our moments with enthusiasm and aplomb, just as he did his. This includes Americans currently serving in uniform whose participation as such, due to their race, was only made possible by EO 9981. It also includes action-oriented patriotic Americans continuing to invest in and improve our country across geographies and party lines.

Reflecting on the 75 years since Truman’s executive order, we recognize our progress, yet acknowledge the journey ahead. This work involves a shared commitment to service and democracy. The spirit of EO 9981 remains a beacon for us to follow, a testament not just to our past but a guide to actively shaping a more inclusive, more united America.

Terry Babcock-Lumish is executive secretary of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. A. Ché Bolden, a retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel, is president and CEO of The Charles F. Bolden Group.