I heard its a Myth that Disproportionate % of Minority enter the Military... Anyone knows more about this ???

Answer 1

Here is a link to the demographics of Military Times readers. I believe it is representative of the military as a whole.

http://www.militarycity.com/advertising/circulation.html

Answer 2

Each service has a different amount of minorities in it.

I can only speak for the Air Force, and it has been a few years since I saw the statistics, but I believe 75% was White, while the remaining 25% was comprised of many different minority groups.

I would head over to the official sites for each of the services, you should be able to get the actual % there.

Lastly, the myth you speak of is probably held over from the Viet Nam days, where I too was told that a large amount of those who were drafted were indeed minorities. Seems they did not have the money to go to college and get a deferment, or run away like cowards to Canada.

Answer 3

I'm not exactly sure, but from my personal experience within the military, there is a much higher percentage of minorities in the military than in society. This, in my opinion, is because the military offers many people with a lower income a way out. It's an opportunity to break the poverty cycle. Of course I'm not saying that all minorities are poor-there are very successful and financially stable minorities. However, statistically, the percentage of poor minorities is higher than the national poverty rate. I hope that makes sense!

Answer 4

No, its not really a myth, but I would say it's more of a upper/lower class thing. Military recruiting often focuses on large cash bonuses, free education, and guaranteed jobs, these are things that are very appealing if you come from a poor background. Some people find that this is the only way to get to school and get a job.

Those with money generally arent attracted at the flashy sign up bonus...but this isn't to say that upper class kids don't join as well.

Answer 5

Supposedly it is a myth.

I dont think it is.

They say that all groups are well-represented... and that is true. But what they dont tell you is, its NOT well represented when you break it down more. What ends up happening is this.

Minorities are MUCH more likely to ENLIST.
Wealthy men and women are much more likely to go through a training academy or ROTC program in college, and be COMMISSIONED as an officer.

So although it is true that, OVERALL the military does not over-represent minorities, in actuality things havent changed much. The rich are still in the positions of power.

Answer 6

I don't think it's a myth.Minorities in this country are the majority so it stand to reason there would be more minorities serving their country. But I don't have the figures to back that up.