Number of Black Americans Enlisting in Military Service is Down Significantly

Pentagon statistics indicate that Black Americans are not joining the military ranks as they once were. Statistics say that enlistment has dropped more than 30 percent overall, with the Army alone experiencing a 45 percent drop in black enlistees. It's also noted that these reduced numbers have been since the beginning of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

According to an Aug. 25 press release, African American Gregory Black, a retired Navy diving officer, is concerned by these figures. G. Black served in the military for 21 years, is a veteran of Desert Storm's Gulf War I and now oversees an online news and information forum and about African Americans in the U.S. military.

Although G. Black says African Americans are still enlisting in percentages that are relative to the overall black population, he believes their military participation was once much stronger in years past and has resulted in the rise of several very fine Black American leaders. "Take a look at some of the great African-American leaders of our generation," G. Black said. "Hordes of them, like Secretary of State and four-star general Colin Powell, Bill Cosby, Earl Graves, and Congressman Rangel have military backgrounds. In fact, African-American comprise the largest minority bloc of veterans today. I am concerned if this downward trend in enlistment continues the military and African-American communities may find itself with fewer leaders. This is something we can ill afford as we face an uncertain future."

G. Black said that there is a rise in frustration among Black Americans, not because they are short on patriotism, but because they strongly object "to this particular war and the rationale for its continuance. I find frustration from most African-Americans who believe the war against Iraq was not necessary because there was not a credible case justifying the immediate need for a preemptive war"

Nonetheless, G. Black believes that young Black Americans are selling themselves short in terms of educational and career opportunities by avoiding military service.