too many whites, men leading military

[Ms Tree]

Point being that given the opportunity anyone can excel in the Military. The fact that the opportunities haven't equalized just yet is of no importance to the Military mission

Interesting choice of words. The Tuskegee airmen would never have been had Elenore Roosevelt not fought for their existence. The powers that be (whites in charge) had to allow the blacks to serve. Had they not been 'given' that opportunity, one of the best air squadrons in the European theater never would have been and we would have lost more B-17 crews over Europe. The Tuskegee airmen had to be given their rights by someone else, they did not have it one their own. A black man could not walk into the air corp and sign up to fly planes.

I am not saying that standards must be changed or that quotas should be implemented. I am simply saying that statistically, the military is not giving equal opportunities to all who serve and that they are doing this to their own misfortune.

 

[delldude]

Interesting choice of words. The Tuskegee airmen would never have been had Elenore Roosevelt not fought for their existence. The powers that be (whites in charge) had to allow the blacks to serve. Had they not been 'given' that opportunity, one of the best air squadrons in the European theater never would have been and we would have lost more B-17 crews over Europe. The Tuskegee airmen had to be given their rights by someone else, they did not have it one their own. A black man could not walk into the air corp and sign up to fly planes.

I am not saying that standards must be changed or that quotas should be implemented. I am simply saying that statistically, the military is not giving equal opportunities to all who serve and that they are doing this to their own misfortune.

Worked out pretty good in Ft. Hood.

 

[777 fixer]

I am not saying that standards must be changed or that quotas should be implemented. I am simply saying that statistically, the military is not giving equal opportunities to all who serve and that they are doing this to their own misfortune.

In order to get an officer commision in the US military you need a college degree. The percentage of African Americans graduating from college is lower than other demographics. That is not a failure of the US military, that's someone else's failure.

 

[dapoes]

Allen West: Military diversity report 'a slap in the face'

In an interview with The Daily Caller, West, who is black, was not pleased with the report, saying that the military is not a social experiment for outside groups to impose their theories. Rather, he said, it is a merit based organization where anybody can succeed.

West continued by noting that many confuse privileges with rights. To West, it is a privilege to serve in the military. He also said it is not an institution with which outsiders should tinker, especially while engaged in conflicts abroad.

“The military stands for things that liberals don’t care for: standards, discipline, honor, character. And those are things they don’t like because they believe everyone should be equal…that is not what the military is all about.”

 

[Ms Tree]

In order to get an officer commision in the US military you need a college degree. The percentage of African Americans graduating from college is lower than other demographics. That is not a failure of the US military, that's someone else's failure.

OK, good point, but does that explain the discrepancy or are their other factors? I believe I remember reading a study that seemed to indicate that whites hold an overwhelming majority in nearly all positions of power over any other demographic and that the majority is disproportionate to size and ability.

I realize that we only enacted the civil rights act in 1964 and it takes generations to unlearn certain behaviors. I also realize that the number of minorities who are moving up the ranks is increasing as time goes on. But I think to argue that the military promotes on merit without regard to any other factors is a but naive. I think that is what the article was trying to point out.

 

[delldude]

OK, good point, but does that explain the discrepancy or are their other factors? I believe I remember reading a study that seemed to indicate that whites hold an overwhelming majority in nearly all positions of power over any other demographic and that the majority is disproportionate to size and ability.

I realize that we only enacted the civil rights act in 1964 and it takes generations to unlearn certain behaviors. I also realize that the number of minorities who are moving up the ranks is increasing as time goes on. But I think to argue that the military promotes on merit without regard to any other factors is a but naive. I think that is what the article was trying to point out.

One thing you should consider is the fact that for quite a few decades minorities and whites have taken advantage of the military and its education benefits for a career beyond military service. That in itself, I think will cover your disparity. Don't forget too, the names in the upper ranks since Nam include many many different ethnic backgrounds most likely never before in the US military.
Diversity and PC is alive and well in the US military. Look at the nine guys they are going to toss to the wolves over Ft Hood.
Persons going in to get an education for work outside of the service and those going in with a sheepskin should be considered.