The Lack of Ethnic Diversity in the Infantry: Why Are There So Few Black Infantry Officers in the U.S. Army
Abstract
This study investigates the underrepresentation of black infantry officers in the U.S. Army. Blacks currently comprise 11.3 percent of all active component Army officers. However, only 7.2 percent of officers in the Infantry career management field are black. The underrepresentation of black officers is not only applicable to the Infantry. The Army officer corps lacks ethnic diversity across the combat arms branches. Black officers constitute 8.2 percent of combat arms officers; in contrast 16.5 percent of combat service and combat service support officers are black. The study analyzes the predominant reasons black officers join the Army and select their basic branch. The study examines perceptions of black officers on the impact of the underrepresentation of black infantry officers. The study also provides recommendations for increasing the ethnic diversity in the Infantry officer corps. The goal of the study is to increase the combat readiness of the Army by improving understanding and communication through the development of an Infantry officer corps that is representative of the soldiers they lead.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 02, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA384108
Entities
People
- Ronald P. Clark
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College