Hispanics in Army ROTC: Problems with Recruiting and Commissioning
Abstract
This study attempts to determine why Hispanic cadets are not being commissioned in the same proportion as their enrollment in ROTC would suggest. Currently, Hispanics comprise four percent of the nation's ROTC cadets, yet only one percent of the Army's officers who received their commissions through ROTC. For background information, the revival of ROTC after its turbulent history during the Vietnam war years is examined. The study then focuses on Hispanic participation in ROTC, data for which was obtained from a survey of the 37 ROTC units whose Hispanic cadets comprise 90 percent of the nation's total. The investigation concludes with a case study of ROTC in Puerto Rico. Research reveals that the two ROTC programs in Puerto Rico constitute the majority of the nation's Hispanic cadets. Further investigation discloses that high cadet admission standards have not been maintained in Puerto Rico in order to meet high ROTC enrollment objectives. Cultural and linguistic problems which affect Hispanic cadets to a lesser degree elsewhere in the United States thus are exaggerated in Puerto Rico. The subsequent high attrition and decreased competiveness of Puerto Rican cadets have resulted in fewer qualified officers being commissioned. This, in turn, has decreased Hispanic officer production nation-wide.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 09, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA058331
Entities
People
- James H. Proctor Jr
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College