Military sees big decline in black enlistees

Boston Globe ^ | October 7, 2007 | Joseph Williams and Kevin Baron

[ConservativeStatement]

WASHINGTON - African-Americans, whose longstanding relationship with the US military helped them prove their abilities and offered a way to get ahead, have turned away from the armed forces in record numbers since 2000, a period covering the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the start of the Iraq war.

Defense Department statistics show the number of young black enlistees has fallen by more than 58 percent since fiscal year 2000. The Army in particular has been hit hard: In fiscal year 2000, according to the Pentagon statistics, more than 42,000 black men and women applied to enlist; in fiscal year 2005, the most recent for which a racial breakdown is available, just over 17,000 signed up.

The unpopular Iraq war is the biggest reason, according to military analysts, Pentagon surveys, and interviews with young African-Americans. But they say mistrust of the Bush administration is adding to the problem - along with the notion that black soldiers are being steered to combat jobs, a lingering perception from the Vietnam War.

The decline in enlistment applications among blacks is by far the fastest of any demographic group. Between fiscal 2000 and 2005, white applicants declined by more than 10 percent. Hispanic applicants dropped by almost 7 percent.

[Nat Turner]

we definitely dont need the SHE-BEAST in the WH during a time of war...Thats the one disagreement I have with the Commander in Chief.. we should have went with a REAL declaration of WAR(although that would be rather difficult from a legal point of view as an ideology does not qualify as a sovereign state)

That would have protected us from the foolishness of getting legal counsel for terrorists or having our soldiers murdered by stupid ROE (rules of engagement).

I also would make those traitorious statements and actions from groups like code pinko, the (c)answer commies & LIEberal senators real crimes punishisble by law

[VaRepublican]

OOHRAH

[ConservativeStatement]

My best friend’s dad served in WW2 and the Korean War (maybe Vietnam, too). He was a career military man. We had some interesting conversations about Korea. My dad fought in the Korean War and came back with a Purple Heart. Stuff like that doesn’t resonate with some on the left.

[OCCASparky]

Click on my handle and look at my Freeper page. To fly those babies you need 110+.

Actually, the highest it goes up to (and has been for 25+ years) is 99. But I know of which you speak. However, there are a lot of intangibles required in such demanding professions--integrity, courage, moral bearing, you know, silly stuff like that...

[OCCASparky]

Your telling me he voted AGAINST the very bill he introduced?

Yes, indeed!

H.R.163 Title: To provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] (introduced 1/7/2003) Cosponsors (14) Related Bills: S.89 Latest Major Action: 10/5/2004 Failed of passage/not agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 2 - 402 (Roll no. 494).

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2004/roll494.xml

And surprise, surprise--look who DID vote for it!!!

[Khepera]

This is the plan of the public school system. Make people so stupid they can no longer enlist in service to their country and they will vote democrap.

[DakotaRed]

If true, and last I heard, all branches are meeting recruitment goals, I would think this bodes worse for Blacks in America than it does the Military.

Of course, they are as susceptible to fall for the propaganda coming out of the Commie left as is anyone else.

[DCBryan1]

Actually, the highest it goes up to (and has been for 25+ years) is 99. But I know of which you speak.

We are both right. LOL, I should have expounded in that you need a GT score of 110.

The ASVAB total is still 99 I see. I think GT is General Tecnical or something like that. Pilots need 118, MI 110, Officer Candidates 105 I think.

[FFranco]

You said, “I’m sure that had allot to do with it. I don’t know of any kid who would sign up for the military during a war.”

Not a lot of kids would do so today, but I had a teacher who signed up on Dec. 8, 1941.

[Brad from Tennessee]

God Bless Them both.

[VR-21]

"The blacks now serving in our military are among the best and brightest of any race in our nation. If those blacks who adhere to the gangsta rap, illegitimacy, vulgarity, and violence that now rules and ruins America’s dominant black culture don’t care to serve their country, we’re better off for it.

I agree with you. I have nothing but admiration and gratitude for American blacks who believe in and bravely serve our country (as I am for all Americans who do). All of our military personnel are better off with out their ranks being filled with human dreck.

[ontap]

Actually, recruiting peaked after 9-11, most young Americans love this country and have no problem defending it. Only hardcore liberals loath the military, Clinton, college profs. etc., then there are those that use it ,Murtha, Kerry and the like.

[Joe Boucher]

In jail of dead according to Barack Obamma.

[Dogbert41]

This nation is divided, more so than any point in time since the Civil War. The majority of blacks vote for the Left. It’s from that group that no longer serve. The numbers will quickly reverse if/when the Communists win the next election.

And that’s when Hitlery will have no choice but to have a draft.

[BushMeister]

What no one has mentioned here is that since 9-11, America has been focused on fighting Muslims, and millions of American blacks are either Muslim themselves, or are close to Muslims. This adds to their reluctance to enlist. This is in addition to black hatred of Bush, and reluctance to risk injury or death “for the white man”.

[Tzimisce]

So blacks are racist against Americans.

Got it.

[DocH]

As a 13 year active-duty Marine vet, this comes as no surprise. My experience, and statistics, show that the vast majority of those volunteering for, and fighting in, actual combat units are good old white boys. Must be a cultural, rather than a color thing, huh?

Also, look how most blacks vote - democrat, the cut and run party/party of defeat (defeats don't fail me now!).

There were some very good black Marines I was proud to serve with and would trust if/when the sh*t hit the fan, but unfortunately, they were the exception, rather than the rule.

[BlueLancer]

What would you think of a GT of 153?

[mimaw]

I agree with you about those who enlist to serve are the best, but the lower enlistment numbers among groups who looked at the military as another social program does not surprise me.

[SuziQ]

Until black families are intact again, it is doubtful you’ll see any large scale numbers of black men or women in the armed forces. There are too many young men who are too into what they can get for themselves, because that’s all they’ve ever seen from their mothers, who are trying to raise them on their own, but who are in the throes of ‘me-ism’ themselves.