Does the United States have the most diverse military?

PO3 Aaron Hassay — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 13:09:50 -0400

I met a Marine Veteran who was actually from Kenyan, and 2 Haitian Veterans Marine Navy in the last few years. Some were still waiting for citizenship.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Sep 17 at 2018 1:33 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 13:33:43 -0400

I'm guessing we are near the top of the diversity list. According to USNews, "The U.S. accepted 1,183,500 permanent migrants in 2016, remaining the top country for immigration."...and many migrants choose to sign up to join the US military. I think it is one of the strengths of our military as we are exposed to a diversity of perspective and understanding on a variety of topics.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 17 at 2018 2:01 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:01:59 -0400

The British military is pretty diverse.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 17 at 2018 2:34 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 14:34:07 -0400

Assuming the U.S. military is a reflection of American Society, then Yes. The U.S. is the most diverse nation on the planet from any Objective measurement we can use. Keeping in mind we're the 3rd largest by geographic size (trailing behind Russia and Canada [just barely]) and population (trailing behind China and India, not even close).

When you look at the size of the US military, we are also 3rd (behind China and India), but this is misleading due to the per capita ratio and total GDP expenditure. When you add in population homogeneity, it can be argued that we are likely the most Heterogeneous (diverse) military around.

Anecdotally, I had a roommate that was from Iraq. Served with several folks from Mexico. Knew of at least one guy who served in the French Foreign Legion, before joining the Corps. That's not counting Puerto Ricans, Guamanians, and Samoans (who are all Americans).

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Sep 17 at 2018 3:59 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 15:59:12 -0400

If not at the top, we've got to be #2 behind Great Britain.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2018 4:11 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 16:11:40 -0400

I would think so, other than the French Foreign Legion maybe, because we let anybody and their entire family into our country.

Response by SSG Lee Kujawa made Sep 17 at 2018 4:49 PM

SSG Lee Kujawa — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 16:49:37 -0400

The French military is also very diverse, as is of course, the US military. Nothing wrong with that, all patriots and heroes in their own right.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Sep 17 at 2018 5:11 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 17:11:59 -0400

I'd say yes. On my last ship deployment we had 35 different nationalities among the crew. From Irish, Somali, Egyptian, Mexican, Western Samoan, Eritrean, Panamanian, Lebanese, among others. It was like a floating UN.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Sep 17 at 2018 5:19 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 17:19:42 -0400

We are definitely up there.