Diversity: 2015 and the Afro-American Army Officer,
Abstract
This study addresses the strategic importance of recruiting and maintaining a racially diverse officer corps-specifically the challenging task of continuing to do so successfully in the opening quarter of the twenty-first century. It investigates Afro-American underrepresentation in the officer corps, noting the considerably less attention this issue receives as compared to that of Afro-American overrepresentation in the enlisted corps. The proportion of Afro-American officers in the Army is roughly the same proportion of all college graduates in the relevant age group who are Afro-American. Further, the proportion of Afro-Americans in the officer corps has been steadily increasing. However, recent data indicate this trend may be reversing due to the increasing competition for this relevant age group from corporations and university professional programs. Also, growing negative perceptions associated with military service may be changing Afro-Americans' attitudes toward military careers. This study concludes that the Army's attempts to recruit and retain highly qualified Afro-American officers by the year 2015 will be unsuccessful unless current recruitment, training, and retention programs improve and continue to evolve into the twenty-first century.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 06, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA343314
Entities
People
- Elmer J. Mason
Organizations
- United States Army War College