Military instructor suspended over class against Islam

A military instructor who taught in a college course that the United States was at war with Islam has been suspended and the course will be redesigned, a Pentagon official said Wednesday.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey in April ordered a review of the course at National Defense University’s Joint Forces Staff College, “Perspectives on Islamic and Islamic Radicalism,” after complaints surfaced about the content in the elective class.

The review found there were “institutional failures in oversight and judgment,” in the way the course was modified over time, Dempsey spokesman Col. David Lapan said in a statement.

The course’s instructor, Army Lt. Col. Matthew Dooley, was “relieved of his instructor duties” until his previously scheduled transfer in August, Lapan said.

In his course on Islam, details of which were first reported by Wired’s Danger Room blog, Dooley taught that a “total war” against Islam was necessary, according to documents obtained by Danger Room.

Dempsey told reporters in May that the course “was just totally objectionable, against our values, and it wasn't academically sound.” 

“This wasn't about, you know, we’re pushing back on liberal thought,” he said. “This was just objectionable, academically irresponsible.”

The inquiry, which also examined whether there was adequate screening of course content, also recommended that the actions of two civilian officials at the Joint Forces Staff College be reviewed to determine if disciplinary action is necessary.

The review also proposed modifying the college’s processes for reviewing and approving curricula and better oversight of electives, Lapan said.

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