Military Diversity, Essay Example

Although people whom work together share a common goal, they each usually come from a different background. The concept known as diversity carries a unique importance in schools, jobs, and in the military. For a group of people to be diverse, they can be different in various ways. It all depends on what the subject matter is. Diversity may pertain to ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic stratum, among other multiformity. Such differences compliment the appreciation, values, and respect that come with the mix. Because diversity has so much to offer, it is often desired in anything that involves strategic planning. (Oregon, 2015)

Coursework studies were often diverse because education is a universal concept in life. Anybody who walks into a school today will find a mix from just about every major diversity factor. The most animated diversity factor among school systems is racial and ethnic diversity. Coursework experience becomes more vivid when the student body is racially diverse. It gives students the opportunity to learn about cultures different from their own. Such knowledge and understandings of diverse ethnic cultures expand social circles while at the same time fortifying cultural aptitude. Being in a racially diverse environment while engaging in coursework study can create remonstrance on stereotypes and misconceptions based on race. (University, 2012) As students become more socially stimulated with those of different ethnic background, they start to measure peers in terms of character, rather than race. With the future of the country learning and retaining the lessons of racial diversity, the economy gradually becomes stronger. (Oregon, 2015) (University, 2012)

Some schools, such as parochial schools, are influenced by certain religions. These schools offer the same education as traditional public schools, but with prominence on the religion the schools is based on. Religious diversity may be more complex than racial diversity because while race is given at birth, religious beliefs can be chosen. The separation of church and state can make this diversity factor even more complex as people are free to choose their religion without legal penalty, which is a human right. While religious diversity is important to accept, coursework study may not be the best suited vehicle to do so. For example, a Christian based school that requires Christian education classes may create conflict of interest for someone whom is not a Christian believer. Though with the acceptance of religious diversity, such schools can adapt to and even welcome other people of religious backgrounds to learn from them and their views. (Sultz, 2015)

There are schools that do not allow for gender diversity, particularly military schools. Students at these schools have a much difference coursework experience as they are exposed to military culture. The only diversity factors found in military schools are racial and religious, though they don’t influence the social stimulation as they would in public schools. Military school students, regardless of race or religion, are educated on military culture. Wearing uniforms emphasizes that all students are united as a team. Many practices from the actual military are incorporated into the coursework as most of the instructors are affiliated with the military in some way. Such military practice includes saluting, standing at attention, inspections, and order. The manners in which these military schools operate demonstrate the importance of racial diversity by welcoming candidates of all ethnicity and educating them on the unity. (Tribune, 2007)

These traits are carried into the military workforce where they are practiced professionally. Diversity in the military is equally important as it is in the coursework study of education. The United States has the most diverse military in the world, as it is the most diverse country in the world. The military continues efforts to diversify its’ workforce, and even more so in the higher echelon of ranks.

Although the Army emphasizes that the military is a venue for minorities to grow, recent studies have shown contrast. Statistical proportion of African-American military forces of all branches has shown a recent decline in their enlistment rankings. The US Army shows that about 20% of their enlisted soldiers are African-American as of early 2014, which is a 7% drop from 1995 statistics. The US Navy shows a similar decline with 17% of enlisted sailors being African-American, a 4% decrease from 2005. The US Air Force has shown a more stable percentage of African-American enlisted airmen making up about 17% of the branch in the past 30 years. The Marine Corp. carries the lowest percentage of African-Americans enlisted in their military workforce, about 10%. This is a significant decline from 1985 statistics which showed over 20% of enlisted Marines were African-American. Percentages of African-Americans in the officer rankings have been more stable in the past 10 years. Researchers theorize that the cause of the declines were due to lack of support for African-Americans joining the military during the war on terrorism. The Army now claims that about one third of their recruiting campaign is dedicated to influence minorities, including gaining the support of guardians, teachers, and church figures. (Zoroya, 2014)

The goal of the military is not to simply meet a quota for minorities in their workforce.  The real goal is to further diversify it, demonstrating that anybody, regardless of race or gender, has the opportunity for career advancement. When this idea can be demonstrated and expressed to the public, it will help to influence more minorities to pursue the military. The military is a reflection of society, and its’ workforce plays the role of being model citizens to the civilian world. When the military pushes efforts to expand diversity, most likely the rest of the country will tend to follow. This effect will then diversify the civilian workforce, making them more versatile. Diversity leads to versatility, because many experiences and ideas of different backgrounds can contribute to a stronger workforce. This civilian workforce includes educators, who can relay these teachings to the future of society. When everybody is well educated on the importance of diversity, it can provide opportunity for everybody in the entire country and even put an end to racism and discrimination factors. These segments are the foundation for a striving economy. This scenario shows why military diversity is so vital. (Zoroya, 2014)

Striving for a healthy diversity is the starting point for global unity. Most wars throughout history were caused from religious or racial differences. The reality is there will always be differences in racial, religious, and political perspectives. Diversity is the idea of learning to understand and respect these differences. Not only does diversity govern that such differences should be accepted, but they should even be embraced for reasons of knowledge, resources, and innovation. With such a universal concept of diversity in place, people of every background and belief can work together towards sustainability and prosperity. Rather than treating differences with bitterness and disrespect, they should be treated as an opportunity to broaden human intelligence. This benefit of broadened intelligence contributes to underlying concepts such as financial resources, medical studies, and righteous governments. When the world learns to obtain this concept of diversity, it will become its’ greatest asset.

References

Oregon, U. o. (2015). Definition of Diversity. Retrieved March 27, 2015, from Gladstone: http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~asuomca/diversityinit/definition.html

Sultz, T. (2015). Faith-Based Schools. Respponsive Communities, 1(4). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from Responsive Communities: http://www.polis.iupui.edu/RUC/Newsletters/Responsive/vol1no4.htm

Tribune, C. (2007, October 26). Can Military Schools Succeed? Retrieved March 27, 2015, from Chicago Tribune: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2007-10-26/news/0710250514_1_military-schools-chicago-public-schools-military-experience

University, F. D. (2012, January 2). On the Importance of Diversity in Higher Education. Retrieved March 27, 2015, from Fairleigh Dickinson University: http://www.fdu.edu/visitorcenter/diversity.html

Zoroya, G. (2014, February 17). Military Backslides on Ethnic Diversity. Retrieved March 27, 2015, from USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/02/17/black-history-month-military-diversity/5564363/