Number of Black Americans Enlisting in Military Service is Down Significantly

Pentagon statistics indicate that Black Americans are not joining the military ranks as they once were. Statistics say that enlistment has dropped more than 30 percent overall, with the Army alone experiencing a 45 percent drop in black enlistees. It's also noted that these reduced numbers have been since the beginning of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

According to an Aug. 25 press release, African American Gregory Black, a retired Navy diving officer, is concerned by these figures. G. Black served in the military for 21 years, is a veteran of Desert Storm's Gulf War I and now oversees an online news and information forum and about African Americans in the U.S. military.

Although G. Black says African Americans are still enlisting in percentages that are relative to the overall black population, he believes their military participation was once much stronger in years past and has resulted in the rise of several very fine Black American leaders. "Take a look at some of the great African-American leaders of our generation," G. Black said. "Hordes of them, like Secretary of State and four-star general Colin Powell, Bill Cosby, Earl Graves, and Congressman Rangel have military backgrounds. In fact, African-American comprise the largest minority bloc of veterans today. I am concerned if this downward trend in enlistment continues the military and African-American communities may find itself with fewer leaders. This is something we can ill afford as we face an uncertain future."

G. Black said that there is a rise in frustration among Black Americans, not because they are short on patriotism, but because they strongly object "to this particular war and the rationale for its continuance. I find frustration from most African-Americans who believe the war against Iraq was not necessary because there was not a credible case justifying the immediate need for a preemptive war"

Nonetheless, G. Black believes that young Black Americans are selling themselves short in terms of educational and career opportunities by avoiding military service.

In the forum, G. Black talks about his appearance on an Atlanta, Ga., talk show in Sept. 2006. A caller asked why a Black American would want to fight for a country that's mistreated and oppressed blacks for hundreds of years - no doubt a common question, even if not openly asked. G. Black was in a good position to answer the caller's provocative question, having himself been a "disenchanted teenager growing up during the brutal civil rights years" and having harbored the same question.

G. Black told the caller his joining the military wasn't about some devotion to the flag or "blind dedication to any politician or even a government for that matter." He said that, quite frankly, he enlisted "because 26 years ago, I was sick of my job and needed a change." It had nothing to do with patriotism or some belief in and dedication to democracy. Instead, he signed up because it was simply an "opportunity. I was offered free education, discipline, (which I desperately needed), travel and an exciting career. I took advantage of it, and, guess what, it worked!"

He says this is the case for many other Black Americans in history too. G. Black says that military service was about the only place a black could find decent employment with benefits and a future. He wholeheartedly believes that millions of older African American men and women living today have prospered because of their decision to join the military during the World War II, Korea and Viet Nam war eras. To make his point, G. Black quotes Malcolm X: "It's not a staggering thing, just common sense."

Lest anyone think G. Black lacks true patriotism, however, he is quick to say that he "will rise up and defend this country because my mother, sisters, grand-kids and everybody else that I love, live in this country. Anyone trying to invade these shores intending do harm to any of them will find me there waiting."

Despite his concerns about the dwindling numbers and what that means to national security in general and Black Americans in particular, G. Black urges anyone thinking about military service to do their homework first and then make their own decision.

Sources:

Press release, Number of African-Americans Volunteering for Military Service Drops Drastically; http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/8/prweb548993.htm

Forum; http://blog.blackmilitaryworld.com/atom.aspx