Achieving Army Senior Leader Racial/Ethnic Balance: A Long Term Approach
Abstract
The Army must adjust to racial/ethnic demographic trends or risk losing the support of the American people and the nation s political institutions. By adjusting to these demographic trends, the Army will also benefit from the differing perspectives and skills people from diverse backgrounds offer as part of the organization. The Army s current recruiting, development, and retention systems do not provide for a continuing stream of senior leaders who mirror the racial/ethnic characteristics of the nation. Our senior political leaders have taken notice as evidenced by findings and requirements in recent National Defense Authorization Acts. While Army senior leadership has taken steps to address the challenges, the Army is still not on glide path to accommodate new demographic realities. There are several ways which the Army can immediately begin to adjust to these trends including establishing a long term objective to achieve racial/ethnic representation, reorganizing its diversity and inclusion staff, reaching out to establish non-traditional partnerships, and refining its current counseling, coaching and mentoring framework. Failure to adjust to demographic trends could result in loss of support and reduced influence as a national institution.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA592982
Entities
People
- Stephen G. Smith