Does racism and/or discrimination truly exist in the military?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 13:34:59 -0500

I have at times personally witnessed the "Good ole Boys Club". The only thing I've learned from it is that "it sucks not to be in the 'God Ole Boys Club'". I only know this by never being offered membership. I've felt at times that I will not get any special considerations, such as promotion, duty position or schooling because I've never fit any particular group.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Feb 14 at 2016 1:42 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 13:42:49 -0500

That is a surprise. Any details?

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Feb 14 at 2016 2:29 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 14:29:41 -0500

It is unfortunate, but true...sad to say.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Feb 14 at 2016 2:55 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 14:55:11 -0500

Unfortunately as long as there are humans on this earth, there will be racism/discrimination in some form or another.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Feb 14 at 2016 3:20 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 15:20:32 -0500

What am I missing? Where's the racism?

Response by CSM David Heidke made Feb 14 at 2016 4:35 PM

CSM David Heidke — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 16:35:00 -0500

Racism exists everywhere.

In everyone.

No matter what race you are.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Feb 14 at 2016 4:45 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 16:45:09 -0500

The question is misleading, racism and being left out of the 'good ole boys' club are totally different things. Sure, the 'good ole boys' club is definitely a thing. The Army is made up of many individuals and naturally, people tend to gravitate to others that they share common beliefs, interests and ideas. I don't personally know if it is something that they do to be mean, they are just being human. At least that is my opinion. That all being said, discrimination definitely happens in the Army. I have experienced it numerous times in my last unit.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 14 at 2016 5:11 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 17:11:37 -0500

I have only experienced it once, ant it pissed me off to no end.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2016 5:35 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 17:35:40 -0500

There is no place in the military or society for racism by anyone. I will never be a member of any good ole boys club.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Feb 14 at 2016 5:46 PM

CPT Mark Gonzalez — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 17:46:04 -0500

I don't believe that preferential assignments has anything to do with discrimination as a whole. I strongly believe that even in our broke personnel system that merit and networking can get you excellent assignments. If you leave the decision to branch get ready to be screwed, because there are so many people we are just a dime a dozen. Use your connections and demonstrated body of work to take care of yourself or branch will do it for you.

Response by Sgt Jean Kammler made Feb 16 at 2016 6:04 PM

Sgt Jean Kammler — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 18:04:07 -0500

I could never explain what women have to deal with. And I hate to say this but you appear to be a white male...are you really asking this? Perhaps you are just running into favoritism. Did you ever ask why something didn't happen for you? A system isn't set up to avoid this as much as possible? Is there something you can improve upon? Do you lack leadership skills? Not everyone has them. Sorry, don't mean to sound harsh..its the Corps talking...we ask, fix to improve & keep it moving.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Feb 18 at 2016 6:40 AM

PO3 David Fries — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 06:40:44 -0500

At the end of the day, racism exists everywhere. It is in every country and every culture around the world in some form or fashion. Personally, my time in taught me to treat everyone the same, but that's just me.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Sep 5 at 2021 2:37 AM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 02:37:42 -0400

The only way to end the racism in the military or anywhere else is to do the following:
1) Redact all references to Race or Gender on all OERs/NCOERs and Award recommendations.
2) Assign a number to each packet going up to all Centralized Promotion Boards, so that neither names, race or gender is a factor in selection.
3) Do away with photos in promotion and selection packets.
4) Do away with Gender and Ethnicity goals in the instructions to selection boards
5) Use ONLY qualification, achievement and merit in all selections and promotions
6) Stop recalling promotion lists because there were not enough Pansexual Martians on it.
If you don't refer to any non-work related demographics, then the playing field is level and does not require it to be artificially leveled. Racism, whether it is personal or it is organizational is unacceptable.