I say the reason the military is different is because everybody either meets the standard or they are out. None of this identity preference crap.
Absolutely! But it carries over even after your service is finished. Another brother that I work out with, we became friends while discussing port-of-calls in Asia only to find out we probably passed each other on the street many times and had mutual friends. He is black and we actually can discuss race issues and politics, disagree at times and are still best friends.