Race Relations Within the US Military

Abstract

Sociologists now often say that the US military is a model of good race relations. Although there is no denying progress made in military race relations, especially since establishment of the all-volunteer force, this review challenges that comfortable claim as research done over the past two decades supports it only in part. Instead, we conclude that disparities in military allocations of goods and burdens sometimes disadvantage racial minorities. This conclusion rests on a review of institutional analyses in five arenas to which researchers have paid close attention: racial patterns in enlistment, officer promotion rates, administration of military justice, risk of death in combat, and health care for wounded soldiers. Although not a direct or intended result of military policy and practice, in three of five cases there was evidence of racial bias and institutional racism. Further work is needed to identify mechanisms through which the bias and racism arose.

Duty, Honor, Country, Disparity: Race/Ethnic Differences in Health and Disability Among Male Veterans

“…First, the military was one of the first American institutions to desegregate, and since then has attempted to foster a climate of equal opportunity (Burk and Espinoza 2012). Indeed, prior research highlights favorable marital profiles, occupational satisfaction, and socioeconomic status for minorities who serve in the military compared to their nonveteran peers (Angrist 1995; Lundquist 2004; Lundquist 2008; MacLean and Elder Jr. 2007; Noonan and Mumola 2007; Phillips et al 1992; Teachman and Tedrow 2007).…”

“…Blacks and Hispanics may also view the military differently than do Whites — and enlist for different reasons (Mare and Winship 1984; Teachman et al 1993). Indeed, enlistment by branch differs by race/ethnic group, with Blacks disproportionately serving in the Army and more recently Hispanics disproportionately enlisting in the Marines (Burk and Espinoza 2012). Recent research has indicated that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans may vary by branch of service, with those in the Army and Marines having much higher levels compared to those who served in the Navy (Baker et al 2009).…”

“…A recent systematic review, in fact, strongly indicates that there are biases and discrimination in several areas of military practice (Burk and Espinoza 2012). Burk and Espinoza (2012) discuss how minorities in the military are underrepresented among the officer corps, have higher incarceration rates, are at greater risk for PTSD, and may face more barriers to Veteran’s Administration (VA) health care than Whites (see also Washington et al 2002). Previous research has also illustrated increasing mortality disparities between officers and enlisted men, with officers now living 3–4 years longer than enlisted men (Edwards 2008).…”

Improving Oversight and Coordination of Department of Defense Programs That Address Problematic Behaviors Among Military Personnel: Final Report

“…45 . 46 Krieger, 1995;Reskin, 2000. 47 Elvira and Graham, 2002. 48 Stainback, Tomaskovic-Devey, and Skaggs, 2010. 49 Burk and Espinoza, 2012. 50 Irwin Sandler, Sharlene A. Wolchik, Gracelyn Cruden, Nicole E. Mahrer, Soyeon Ahn, Ahnalee Brincks, and C. Hendricks Brown, "Overview of Meta-Analyses of the Prevention of Mental Health, Substance Use, and Conduct Problems," Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, Vol. 10, 2014, pp.…”

The black citizen-subject: black single mothers in US military recruitment material

“…During the same time, Hispanic enlistment increased steadily, as Hispanics immigrated to the US and sought avenues to citizenship (Segal, Thanner, and Segal 2007;Asch, Heaton, and Savych 2009). Black and Hispanic youth are more likely to consider military service, enlist, and make service a career (Segal, Thanner, and Segal 2007;Maxfield 2010;Burk and Espinoza 2012).…”