Analysis: After 60 years, black officers rare

[sabadgeman]

Perhaps its is just because they are not good enough? Period. The mere fact that they try and are black or a woman does not make them prime candidates per se irrespective of ability or am I missing something here?

Many people of all ranks apply to Ranger SAS Para's spetsnaz Mossad etc they think they deserve to get in after all that's why they applied, but most don't get in. That is a fact of life whatever your skin colour or gender is. It's tough if you want the agenda but so is life it takes no account of agenda just performance.

[sfga6970]

Perhaps, it is just me but about two pages ago the thread topic was abandoned and a new topic introduced. This was a topic about black officers in the military and when I opened it there were two pages about sexual assault against females. That's not the topic I wanted to read about. If someone wants to discuss a different topic, invite people to a new thread and let those who want to discuss the original topic do so in the original thread. Either the mod or the person who started the thread should have taken control of the flow when it diverged.

[cato2]

I think this discussion became one about reading statistic correctly before diverting in that direction.

Opinions are formed from the results of statistical information as witnessed by the interpretations of these two articles. Without information we cannot begin to even form an opinion. And with the collection of information (data) hopefully we can all make more informed opinions.

But it is the interpretations that often leads to variations of opinion. It is in fact deemed so important that there an office on the Federal level
nsf.gov - Division of Science Resources Statistics (SRS) - US National Science Foundation (NSF)

So let us look at some of the literature on this subject.

Why Black Officers Fail
In a study done in 1990 the following excerpt show some of the facts for this disparity.

To clarify the problem, this essay will look first at comparative promotion rates. These statistics indicate that black officers are not succeeding at rates comparable to those for white officers. Then we will explore some possible explanations. We will look at how young black officers are acquired and nurtured by our Army. We will then look at some of the cultural biases inherent in the military, and at how they might affect advancement, assignments, and attitudes. Last, I will suggest some ways we might work to overcome the problem.

PARAMETERS, US Army War College Quarterly - Autumn 1999

The U.S. Military Has Plenty of Black Troops, Yet Why Do So Few Serve Among its Upper Ranks?
Date: Thursday, July 24, 2008
By: Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press
BAW: The U.S. Military Has Plenty of Black Troops, Yet Why Do So Few Serve Among its Upper Ranks?

According to Pentagon data, as of May:

* 5.6 percent of the 923 general officers or admirals were black.
* Eight blacks were three-star lieutenant generals or vice admirals.
* Seventeen were two-star major generals or rear admirals.
* Twenty-six were one-star brigadier generals or rear admirals.
* Three of the black one-stars were women.

This article points to one reason they may not be receive consideration, and that is a future career after the military. And a combat role may not be looked upon as a viable skill to carry on into the civilian sector.

[Bluehawk]

Originally Posted by cato2

Why Black Officers Fail
In a study done in 1990 the following excerpt show some of the facts for this disparity.

PARAMETERS, US Army War College Quarterly - Autumn 1999

If, in the year 2008, researchers persist in using that kind of language as a heading for an essay on a potentially serious topic, then it will not be taken seriously. Such language perpetuates and reinforces victimization and victimhood as an institution. If the intent in titling was to grab readers' attention, then that motive has been satisfied. However, if the intent was to persuade people, by using proof and evidence, that there exists a bigotry and bias, then the intent has failed...

Black officers are NOT, "failing." If I were a Black officer working hard to improve myself, contribute to my branch and personnel, and make my way up the ranks... I would be intensely angry at that researcher for titling that study as they did, and I would not be inclined to read their findings. I would be insulted and offended.

If I were among the thousands and thousands of White male and female officers who have spent their careers attempting to successfully obliterate discrimination and prejudice of any kind, I would be inclined to ask that researcher to stick their essay where the sun does not shine.

[sfga6970]

You know, this thread is proof positive that inserting "research statistics" into a topic of discussion is the perfect way to send that topic in a totally different direction. I was going to project, not "official grad school stats" but observations made from personal observations made from my service as both an Enlisted Man and an Officer. When I went in, it was the beginning of the Civil Rights Era and the beginning of the struggle for equality. The military has a proportion of members in line with the make up of our population diversity. I know quite a few Blacks who were Officers and we discussed the apparent disparity. The conclusion we reached was that in the 60's, the era when Officers would become Generals in the next 20 to 30 years there was a paucity of Blacks attending the service acadamies or seeking Commissions. Those who were the most intelligent and best qualified opted for civilian careers instead. They are not being held back by the military, they are just not taking advantage of the opportunities in the Services.

[Sally Brown]

A general observation that is fair to make is that for many years now military service in the general population and most especially in the secondary education system is not something truly encouraged. Although we have an all voluntary service now, and have for nearly 30 years, if young people are not encouraged to consider military as an option, then it is reasonable to accept that minorities, are not going to put at the top of the list West Point, Air Force Academy, or Annapolis but rather are going to look in other directions for educational advancement without military and government service. The competition for appointment to any of the military academies is very tight and even ROTC scholarship programs are not discussed as options in any real terms. The young person, regardless of race, has to want to serve and has to seek out military life. In a society that unfortunately back-burners the importance of military service in lieu of making the fast dollar, i.e. sports and other academic scholarship programs not requiring a pay-back, it is easy to understand why there would be a disproportionate amount of minorities rising in the officer ranks. If one does not have the educational background, in any profession, one cannot expect reasonably to be promoted within that discipline.

Statistical data, however, is important if we are to draw reasonable conclusions about any subject and discuss intelligently.

Pure and simple, based on my experience as a parent and as a one-time military dependent, if the information for application to military life is not presented, chances are pretty strong it is not going to be pursued as a viable option.

[Bluehawk]

Apropos of promotions, not being as simple as it first appears...

Source link:
Air Force officials announce officer selections
--------------------------------------------------------------
8/12/2008 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --
"The 2008A Line of the Air Force, Biomedical Sciences Corps, and Nurse Corps central selection boards selected 545 colonels, 112 lieutenant colonels and 219 majors for promotion.

The boards considered 4,352 colonels for promotion, 702 lieutenant colonels and 362 majors. The results of the boards are as follows:

Selection statistics in-the-promotion zone for colonel:
LAF - 434 selected from 958 considered for a 45.3 percent select rate
BSC - 17 selected from 36 considered for a 47.2 percent select rate

Selection statistics above-the-promotion zone for colonel:
LAF - 14 selected from 772 considered for a 1.8 percent select rate
BSC - 0 selected from 45 considered for a 0 percent select rate

Selection statistics below-the-promotion zone for colonel:
LAF - 79 selected from 2460 considered for a 3.2 percent select rate
BSC - 1 selected from 81 considered for a 1.2 percent select rate

Selection statistics in-the-promotion zone for lieutenant colonel:
NC - 48 selected from 80 considered for a 60.0 percent select rate
BSC - 45 selected from 85 considered for a 52.9 percent select rate

Selection statistics above-the-promotion zone for lieutenant colonel:
NC - 6 selected from 113 considered for a 5.3 percent select rate
BSC - 7 selected from 121 considered for a 5.8 percent select rate

Selection statistics below-the-promotion zone for lieutenant colonel:
NC - 2 selected from 155 considered for a 1.3 percent select rate
BSC - 4 selected from 148 considered for a 2.7 percent select rate

Selection statistics in-the-promotion zone for major:
NC - 92 selected from 122 considered for a 75.4 percent select rate
BSC - 106 selected from 121 considered for a 87.6 percent select rate

Selection statistics above-the-promotion zone for major:
NC - 18 selected from 101 considered for a 17.8 percent select rate
BSC - 3 selected from 18 considered for a 16.7 percent select rate

Selection statistics below-the-promotion zone for major:
There was no below-the-zone consideration

The entire list can be found on the Air Force Personnel Center home page

(Courtesy of Air Force Personnel Center News Service)