Front-line troops disproportionately white, not black

USATODAY ^ | 1-21-2003 | Dave Moniz and Tom Squitieri

[america-rules]

WASHINGTON

[america-rules]

Holy Cow This is from USATODAY !

[Brad’s Gramma]

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God Bless This Great Country!
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[Mr. Mojo]

Leftists just hate it when reality gets in the way of their delusions.

....but then again, it doesn't seem to deter them.

[arm958]

The reasons for the racial divide are unclear, but several theories have emerged, including lingering racism in some quarters of the military and a tendency among black recruits to choose jobs that help them find work in the civilian sector.

As far as I know, there is no lingering racism in some quarters of the military. I'm a recently retired senior NCO and I just didn't see it. Elite units would gladly take anyone who could make the grade. No quotas or affirmative action though; that could get people killed for no good reason.

[Leatherneck_MT]

Good grief

Does it really matter? Frankly I wouldn't give a damn if the man in the foxhole with me was blue and painted his ass yellow. We are ALL green when it comes to being American Fighting men. The color of our skin doesn't make a tinkers damn so long as we can depend on one another. In the years I spent in the Corps I learned alot about my fellow Marines.

We are all green and all Marines.

They need to stuff this racial crap where the sun don't shine and quit trying to divide us.

Americans, one and all

Semper Fi

[Types_with_Fist]

Holy Cow This is from USATODAY!

Yes, that is surprising. Is this a ray of hope for truth in reporting or an "accident."?

Today's News

[arm958]

"If anybody should be complaining about battlefield deaths, it is poor, rural whites,"

That's a stupid and insulting comment. Those "poor, rural whites" (and blacks, hispanics, native Americans, etc., etc.) who serve in combat arms are all volunteers and they are quite proud to be "on point" for their country.

[patriciaruth]

Americans, one and all

AMEN!!!

[patriciaruth]

complaining about battlefield deaths, it is poor, rural whites

I live in a rural town that claims the most deaths per capita in the Vietnam War. We have a helicopter memorial to them and Veterans Day is the most honored holiday here, with the businesses all closing for the parade, even if it is a weekday.

So this may not be a slur; it may be the truth.

[america-rules]

There's a huge minority population in Support fields and very much less so in the combat and Spec Ops.

I don't know why but this is a fact.

[mrustow]

"Lingering racism" is just the socialist magic phrase to scare the truth away. Can't you see a gunnery sergeant saying, "Hell, no, soldier! We hate black men, so we won't let you get your ass shot off in the infantry!"

[arm958]

So this may not be a slur; it may be the truth.

It is true that whites serve disproportionately in combat arms. However, the author of this article was trying to twist that fact into an argument that these whites should be pitied. On the contrary, they should be admired and emulated. Perhaps the America they come from is still worth fighting for. Perhaps the America of the urban cynic is not.

[patriciaruth]

You may be right about his attitude. However, I think he actually meant what you said, that they don't want to complain, even though they should have the first right of complaint, being the most willing to give their blood to preserve their nation.

[patriciaruth]

Something else you said reminds me of something my cuz (Army) once said. That rural kids are idealistic and trainable and really know how to work, while city kids are worse than useless as soldiers, due to their attitude.

[arm958]

I think he actually meant what you said, that they don't want to complain, even though they should have the first right of complaint, being the most willing to give their blood to preserve their nation.

I'm thinking you may be right on this, and that the author was just using the "poor rural whites are the ones who have a right to complain" line as a rhetorical tool. I hope so.

[river rat]

I'm not surprised that Jesse and Al were lying....that's what race baiting, rabble rousing, extortionist bastards do for a living...

What is surprising -- is that there are fewer blacks in combat units than in the early 60's....

There must have been 10% to 15% blacks in the Marine Corps in those years....and I doubt they were draftees that early in the war...

What could be the explanation for current scenario?
Fatherless homes raise irresponsible punks?
Public schools graduate morons?
Victimization hammered into their heads, results in hate of country?
Too focused on the first part of their hyphenated I.D..?


Semper Fi

[xm177e2]

I wonder how hispanics stack up? Are they more likely to go into the military? Do they prefer to work towards a future career or to see combat?

[arm958]

The tilt toward white combat troops is recognized by many senior commanders and a small group of scholars who study the military.

I can't let this line escape before I go to bed. He should add "and anyone who has worn a uniform in the last 20 years".