Posted on 06/24/2007 3:30:13 AM PDT by leadpenny
1 hour, 25 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - The number of blacks joining the military has plunged by more than one-third since the Afghanistan and Iraq wars began, as other job prospects soar and relatives of potential recruits increasingly discourage them from signing up.
According to data obtained by The Associated Press, the decline covers all four military services for active duty recruits, and the drop is even more dramatic when National Guard and Reserve recruiting is included.
The findings reflect the growing unpopularity of the wars, particularly among family members and other adults who exert influence over high school and college students considering the military as a place to serve their country, further their education or build a career.
Walking past the Army recruiting station in downtown Washington, D.C., this past week, Sean Glover said he has done all he can to talk black relatives out of joining the military.
"I don't think it's a good time. I don't support the government's efforts here and abroad," said Glover, 36.
The message comes as no surprise to the Pentagon where efforts are under way to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps.
Marine Commandant Gen. James T. Conway agreed that the bloodshed in Iraq — where more than 3,540 U.S. troops have died — is the biggest deterrent for prospective recruits.
According to Pentagon data, there were nearly 51,500 new black recruits for active duty and reserves in 2001. That number fell to less than 32,000 in 2006, a 38 percent decline.
When only active duty troops are counted, the number of black recruits went from more than 31,000 in 2002 to about 23,600 in 2006, almost one-quarter fewer. The decline is particularly stark for the Army.
The AP looking for race-baiting problems where there are none.
Funny, since the lefties always scream that US soldiers are disproportionally desperate poor black kids.
Consistency of their argumens don’t matter, as long as the have nice racy stories.
I’m shocked i tell you...
So we’re maintaining the recruitment goals yet 30% less blacks are signing up....I guess another color is filling the gap?
One things for certain, those 30% are out pounding the pavement looking for jobs!
Right, it’s AP’s fault.
Spare me.
We all have a different idea of what America means to us and we all have a different sense of responsibility to defend her.
Communists never do. Maybe Gary Sheffield has the answer...
Funny thing is, the chance of being killed in Iraq is probably far less than in most black neighborhoods.
Be right back
So you think the race of the recruits is relevant?
The only thing that matters is whether the recruitment goals are met or not, regardless of color. I can’t see what relevancy the racial break-up has.
Has “diversity” become a goal of our military?
So yes... it’s AP’s “fault” for making this a race issue.
[/sarc]
Whoa...wait a minute. Aren’t the people at AP and LSM always chanting that we have to have a color-blind society or poor scriminated people from the inner cities are not given a chance?? Maybe the Justus Bros. should speak to them about their racial insensitivity!
Despite the decline, blacks and Hispanics still enlist at numbers higher than their percentage of the population. Point a finger at the white, middle and upper classes. those are the folks who aren't enlisting at numbers proportionate to their population.
I certainly dont believe its the bloodshed or other job prospects that has to do with black or any other recruitment being down.
Certainly the Media has been fighting this war in the papers and on TV ,doing their best to convince Americans we need to lose this war. The democrats have been doing their best to defeat George Bush by surrendering, by doing their best to help the terrorists.
The anti-war faction has been working overtime to destroy America by destroying the military.
In order to win a war there has to be a will to win. America doesnt have that will, thanks mainly to the anti-Bush crowd.
I dont agree with many thing Mr. Bush has done,but when America goes to war the country needs to rally behind its leaders. This hasnt happened. More and more our country is divided. Divided we fall.
Can’t help but notice the word “cowardice” never mentioned.
No surprise. When young blacks hear from their so-called leaders that they are a chump if they join the white man’s crusade for oil to wage wars against people of color. They have turned the military into a very un-cool option for these kids.
I still can’t figure out why Blacks numbers in baseball are plummeting. Maybe because when a guy like Barry Bonds is almost there, the media trashes him no end.
You aren't seriously asking that are you? Of course it is.
Thank you.
Has “diversity” become a goal of our military?
It has been for many years.
Although I agree with that statement, is it equally as true that members of ALL race of people who are upper middle class do not enlist at numbers proportionate to their population. If not so, who not?
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