Why do you think theres a decrease in african-americans joining the Military?

Question

I heard a report state that Blacks are not re-enlisting and declining to enlist in the Military ..Why?

Answer 1

If you approach this statistically, it isn't that much of a surprise. African Americans make up a larger percentage of the US armed forces, so there would be more of them seperating. The truth is, across the military there more and more soldiers are deciding not to re-enlist. The ops tempo of the last 5 years (and if they have only done one or two enlistment terms, this is really all they have known) is such that many simply are tired, burnt out or want to be in a safe place, with their family....and no one can blame them for that./ Recruiting numbers are down across the board...except I believe for the Marines, who consistently make their numbers and have decent retention rates. The decrease in new African American recruits could be due to a number of things..increased educational opportunities, better vocational opportunities out of high school, decreased recruiting activities in the high schools and the images shown of military life in the media (again, who can blame them when they see video of ambushes and soldiers recovering at Walter Reed). What isn't in the report is that the military currently has the highest number of African Americans in top postions...both in the enlisted top three and the officers...ever. So for the ones who do decide to make the military their career, the success and promotion rate has been growing steadily.

Answer 2

I served 4 years and just got out about 3 months ago (July 07) My reason for not re-enlisting is I really thought about my chances of not only dieing but coming back with missing limbs or mental damage. Its not worth it, especially if your not being told the whole story behind it.. Plus even so after doing a tour in Iraq once I came back home I was still being racially profiled (young black american nice car). Why should I Fight for a country that still doesn't give me and my people due respect. No lie I was pulled over twice in month when I got back home both times no ticket and teh pfficer stated that either I match a description or routine pullover which there is no such thing....
Lastly alot of people are going to school these all ethnic groups but since you singled out Blacks then more now than ever more Black kids are taken advantage of educational oppurtunity and enlisting in the military is the last resort for anybody these days. If you notice the ARMY has raised the age limit for enlistees.

Answer 3

I'm wondering if it doesn't have to do with the imbalance of enlisted v officers. African American officers simply do not match the numbers of African Americans in the ranks. I know at the military academies the number of minority applications have declined due to that if the applicant can get into one of the service academies, they can get into any of the top schools in the country with scholarships.

Answer 4

I heard a report, normaly reports are read!!

More than likely there are more poor Hispanic people now living in the USA, and by that I mean the legal ones who live and work pay taxes and are U.S. citizens.

Recent study shows the Hispanic section of the U.S. communities are one of the fastest growing in the USA

Answer 5

I would think that it would be because the majority of African Americans are still being crapped on in this country. I.E. Hurricane Katrina. Their logic is probably: Why should I defend a country where I am not treated equally or valued as a citizen? That would be my guess.

Answer 6

I haven't heard that . I met a soldier in the DMV who just served in Iraq twice ; coincidentally , black .

Answer 7

Because racism is still alive and thriving in America?

Answer 8

IT might be they they`re not daft enough to want to get killed fighting in some illegal war over oil
Never mind if they`re not signing up i`m sure some politicians kids wont mind going in their place

Answer 9

Blame Canada.

Answer 10

I haven't heard that either.