Posted on Nov 30, 2013

Do we segregate ourselves?

1SG(P) (Join to see)

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This is perhaps the most uncomfortable issue the military avoids discussing; why does there appear to be more minority representation in sustainment units than in "Combat Arms"?  This isn't a criticism.  It's an observation.  I'm not a minority.  So for me to answer why would be presumptuous.  I'm confident that many of us in the Army have observed that SOF units and the Infantry, especially light, are predominantly Caucasian.  But sustainment units have a higher percentage of minorities.  This is especially so in the commissioned officer corps.<br><br>This is a tough question.  I'm uncomfortable asking it.  But if we don't ask tough questions, what good is this forum?  This isn't intended to demean or criticize anyone's service or career choices.  I'm just curious as to why our Army is like this.  I hope this difficult question inspires some frank and mature responses.<br>

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Ethnicity

Posted >1 y ago

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LTC (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

The answer is personal choice. I have got this same story from several of my former leaders who were members of black fraternities.

The first part of the military to be integrated were the sustainment branches so even when the rest of the military was open to all races, the sustainment branches had more minority senior leaders to mentor young minority Soldiers. Also the majority of minority veterans come from these branches and encourage family members to join a field they can use after the military as they did.

I've seen the numbers, this isn't just a perception.

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CPT Robert Darby

Posted >1 y ago

When it comes to racial and social issues, the Military isn't that different than the general society. While service members maybe required to work together, they still enter the Service with whatever bias and prejudice that existed as a civilian. From a sociological point of view, people tend to naturally gravitate towards those of similar backgrounds.<div>It appears, the Combat Arms seems to draw more Caucasians, than any other branch. This could simply be a recruiting issue. Most some called Minorities join the  Service for educational  benefits or skills training. Sustainments units have more career fields with direct civilian application.  Combat Arms offer few civilian opportunities outside security contractor or law enforcement. </div><div>Similarly with the Officer Corp, most Black Officers choose career fields directly related to their major. Of my graduation ROTC class of 18 Officers, only 4 of us chose Combat Arms. </div>

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Capt Ed Yong

Posted >1 y ago

It's only uncomfortable when people inject "racism" into everything. From my personal perspective, people identify with those who are similar be it culture, part of the country, city, state, looks, school, etc. That isn't racism nor segregation. Visually, it may look like it to those looking for racism or segregation. It's really identifying with familiarity.

I did it myself identifying with all types of people but from the Air Force Academy, people from Chicago, other service academies etc. I was more comfortable talking to people from service academies than to people not from service academies. I am more comfortable talking to military members than I am with industry professionals. I gravitate to people that I can relate to and we all do it. Go to any social gathering and see who breaks off into their small groups - people who have something in common.

Forcing diversity has its negative effect of constantly putting "racism" in our faces. As for types of jobs that appear predominantly one type or another, I haven't seen where the jobs are closed off to certain people. The jobs are open. The Marines recently had some females complete one of their job types.

It's not a bad thing to ask people to mingle to get to know people outside of our own familiarities or even to vie for job types.

Do we segregate ourselves?

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