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I grew up as #6 of 7 children. I was fortunate to have a loving mom and dad at home, but I knew growing up that my parents would not be able to help me pay for college. Dad operated a boiler in a paper mill, and that doesn't pay for #1 to go to college, let alone #6. So I joined the military. And it paid off. I received a great education, health benefits, and was able to provide my children more opportunity than I had. And I got lucky. I wasn't killed or seriously injured during my service.
The military is two things: An opportunity...and a risk. So, here's the question, based on the demographics attached, and the many articles I've seen about the need to increase diversity in the military: What is the correct composition of race and gender for a volunteer force in a democracy? 2nd question: Should our federal government be pushing for more minorities and women to serve in our military...to give them an opportunity...and potentially get them killed? 3rd question: Who should decide...the government, or the individual?
The military is two things: An opportunity...and a risk. So, here's the question, based on the demographics attached, and the many articles I've seen about the need to increase diversity in the military: What is the correct composition of race and gender for a volunteer force in a democracy? 2nd question: Should our federal government be pushing for more minorities and women to serve in our military...to give them an opportunity...and potentially get them killed? 3rd question: Who should decide...the government, or the individual?
Demographics of the U.S. Military
Posted from cfr.org
Potential Recruit
Recruit
Service
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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#1. The correct composition is whatever keeps our force above those of our adversaries.
#2. There are standards and regulations in place detailing the requirements to be met for entry, continued service, reenlistment, promotion, etc. If individuals, regardless of race, gender, or whatever else, meet those standards, then there’s no issue. If they decide to lower standards or rewrite regulations to try to create a “socially acceptable” force based off of groups of people, then no. That weakens the force and outs EVERYONE else at risk.
#3. The government has already created standards and regulations. Beyond that it should be up to the individual on whether they assume the risk and take advantage of the opportunity or pass it up.
#2. There are standards and regulations in place detailing the requirements to be met for entry, continued service, reenlistment, promotion, etc. If individuals, regardless of race, gender, or whatever else, meet those standards, then there’s no issue. If they decide to lower standards or rewrite regulations to try to create a “socially acceptable” force based off of groups of people, then no. That weakens the force and outs EVERYONE else at risk.
#3. The government has already created standards and regulations. Beyond that it should be up to the individual on whether they assume the risk and take advantage of the opportunity or pass it up.
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SSG (Join to see)
#2 was supposed to say “puts everyone...” not “outs everyone..”. I wish they’d add an edit function to the RP App.
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5
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Very interesting questions. Shhh! I'm reading now.
Okay- I'm back. Very good statistical overview of the number of minority persons in each of the services. I sometimes get a kick out of the fact that having been in the Army 22.5 years, I've undoubtedly worked for more Black bosses than over 99% of the general population. This fact usually confounds Leftists momentarily, then they recover and start calling military Black people "Uncle Toms" who "don't count."
By the by, I was #2 of 7 kids in our modest farm family. I understand having to find your own way.
Okay- I'm back. Very good statistical overview of the number of minority persons in each of the services. I sometimes get a kick out of the fact that having been in the Army 22.5 years, I've undoubtedly worked for more Black bosses than over 99% of the general population. This fact usually confounds Leftists momentarily, then they recover and start calling military Black people "Uncle Toms" who "don't count."
By the by, I was #2 of 7 kids in our modest farm family. I understand having to find your own way.
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Opinion response to you...
1. Diversity in military should attempt to reflect civilian society since demographics have drastically changed over the last several decades
2. We have already been increasing outreach to minorities indirectly (i.e. recruiting ads for parents in other languages, changing recruiting station locations, etc.)
3. While it is individual decision to volunteer, government indirectly plays a role in funding military recruiting and how armed forces advertise themselves
1. Diversity in military should attempt to reflect civilian society since demographics have drastically changed over the last several decades
2. We have already been increasing outreach to minorities indirectly (i.e. recruiting ads for parents in other languages, changing recruiting station locations, etc.)
3. While it is individual decision to volunteer, government indirectly plays a role in funding military recruiting and how armed forces advertise themselves
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Col Joseph Lenertz
Your Joe score: 1. Correct. 2. Incorrect. The question was ethical, "Should the federal government..." not factual, "Does the federal government...". 3. Correct. Appreciate your thoughtful responses. :)
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