The Military Is Not Inclusive, It Is Exclusive
© AP
It is estimated that fewer than 23% of Americans between 17 and 22 are qualified to serve in the U.S. military. The reasons range from obesity and drug use to mental health issues. Today, less than 1% of our nation has served in the armed forces, making the U.S. military an exclusive organization.
Yet last week, federal district judge Richard Bennett ruled that the U.S. Naval Academy’s race-conscious admissions policy did not violate the Supreme Court’s recent decision to curtail affirmative action. Judge Bennett argued that the Naval Academy has a “compelling national security interest in a diverse officer corps.” He is only partially correct.
Never once while in combat or performing special missions underwater have I, nor any of my Special Operations brothers and sisters, ever wondered about the skin color of our battle buddy or dive buddy. We only cared that the person next to us had our backs. The diversity we need in our military lies in our backgrounds and what we bring to the fight, not whether we are black or white or anything in between. I served alongside men and women who didn’t care about my skin color; they cared that I was trained, prepared, and able to lead them. The diversity I brought to the table was in my life experiences – growing up in sub-Saharan West Africa and Southeast Asia, understanding cultures, and speaking three languages fluently.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/opinion-the-military-is-not-inclusive-it-is-exclusive/ar-AA1vWRPG?ocid=widgetonlockscreen&cvid=d6d21d38634141f3b52c9c9cb24c1d4e&ei=55
