BLACKS SAYING NO TO ENLISTING: Iraq War Causing Major Drop in African American Military Service

[NNN0LHI]

http://eurweb.com/story/eur35699.cfm

Figures releases by the nation's military services and data compiled by the Associated Press point to a dramatic drop in the number of African Americans enlisting in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.

The principal reason appears to be Black opposition to the Bush administration's war in Iraq.

Even in 2003, when there was overwhelming support for the war among the rest of the nation, African American support never rose above 44 percent in any major poll. Now, according to a Pew survey released in June, Black support has fallen to just 15 percent. That opposition is reflected in the dwindling number of Blacks enlisting for military service.

In the Army, the branch of the military traditionally favored by Blacks, the percentage of Black enlistees has dropped from 23 percent before the war to just 12.4 percent today. The Pentagon last week announced $20,000 bonuses in a bid to lure more youth into the military.

[Recursion]

1. Well, that's bad news for the military

The military has quite frankly benefited for decades from racism in civilian job hiring by getting an overrepresentation of some of the most talented people of color the country has. If African-Americans and Hispanics stop carrying more than their share of the recruitment burden, as they have for decades now, the military is going to be in serious trouble.

[harlinchi]

2. 'More than their share'!

Blacks represent 11.8 % of the US population. Enlisting in numbers greater than that percentage does indeed indicate that we've been carrying 'more than our share'. In the days to come, as surely as I am sitting at my desk right now, someone will assert that Blacks are the reason for the recruitment distress felt by our military. Thanks for smacking that down with your remarks. Twenty-four percent, 15% or 12.8 doesn't matter. They all are greater than 11.8%

[Recursion]

3. Oh, believe me, the argument's being made already

And it drives me up a goddamn wall. White people are simply not enlisting at a rate anywhere proportional to our percent of the population, and while I love the Corps enough to hope good people keep enlisting, it's shameful to expect the black, latino, and asian communities to keep enlisting at such disproportionately high rates.

[Captain Hilts]

9. Very true. nt

[Captain Hilts]

8. Hispanics are actually under-represented because of language, high school degree issues.

Though that might be changing....

[mikeytherat]

4. "The principal reason appears to be Black opposition to the

Bush administration's war in Iraq." Seriously? Because I think not wanting to go to Iraq and risk death or dismemberment might rank REALLY, REALLY high as the "principal reason."

mikey_the_rat

[lonestarnot]

5. Woot!

:applause: Can't be all you can be when you're dead!

[sampsonblk]

6. Very unfortunate

Military service is a worthwhile pursuit in general. But getting sane people to serve under GW Bush has proved to be difficult. Right now, the recruitment effort is at full throttle. All you need is a heartbeat and you can get in with a signing bonus. Still they are having a hard time meeting recruiting goals.

What's unfortunate is that many black people will miss out on the rich experience of military service and will miss out on the benefits that come with it: opportunity for education and opportunity to improved employment later in life.

I wouldn't die for either one of those. Apparently, I am not alone in that thinking.

[Captain Hilts]

11. Very well said. There are a lot of important lessons for people to learn in the military...

that you don't get elsewhere: discipline, working well with others towards a common goal, etc.

A friend of mine, who is a WWII vet and pacifist, did volunteer work for guys in DC's Lorton prison. She couldn't help but note that the fellows who had been in the military had a real step up on those who had not when it came to making it on the outside and not going back to Lorton. The skills of working and dealing with others that you learn in the military is invaluable.

[Captain Hilts]

7. Blacks got screwed in Vietnam, so, given the choice they now have, are smartly opting 'out'. nt

[rucky]

10. But Baghdad is safer than Detroit.

It's a Black man's ticket out of the ghetto.

:eyes: