Posted on Feb 14, 2016
Does racism and/or discrimination truly exist in the military?
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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.
Posted in these groups: 
Discrimination
Racism
Discrimination Racism
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 11
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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.
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MSG (Join to see)
Doesn't happen as well on the enlisted side. Especially in mid-grade ranks and being part of a large MOS. Over 29K Combat Medics on active duty alone, but that is another issue.
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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.
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MAJ (Join to see)
CSM David Heidke I disagree. I do not believe racism exists in everyone. I believe people learn to hate based on pre-conceived ideas learned from society and those that one interacts with. Prejudice is a human trait because we see something and immediately assume that because of this there must be that. How many times have you made a judgment, based on pre-conceived notions, and then found out more information that made you change your mind?
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CSM David Heidke
MAJ (Join to see) - I can live with that. Racist is probably too strong a word. Prejudice is probably something that absolutely exists in everyone.
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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.
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MSG (Join to see)
Appearance can be deceiving. I am Asian-American, but what really is "favoritism"? Couldn't that be seen as discrimination. My military career has been quite successful and I attribute it mostly to my leadership, but I can always improve. I find it interesting that you started the comment towards what women have to deal with. I'm not looking for a self-pity party, I just wanted to engage a topic head-on. It's the Soldier in me talking. Hooah!
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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.
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MCPO Roger Collins
Still waiting for where the racism is? And luck comes with hard work and tenacity, nothing to do with race.
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Unfortunately as long as there are humans on this earth, there will be racism/discrimination in some form or another.
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MSG (Join to see)
What details are you looking for? Something specific, like making you apply for a leadership position one time and not get the job, but next time the same position opens up, the leader directly appoints.
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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.
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.
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