Cultural and social diversity in the armed services has always been a subject of debate. As social acceptance and social norms change, the implementation of the Department of Defense’s policies always seems to be misaligned with the rest of American society. The branches of the military: Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines are striving to ensure that services are racially and ethnically diverse. The percentages are on the rise as an all-volunteer force is beginning to surpass the labor force, for those that meet military qualifications. Women and members of the gay community are two of the most controversial groups regarding equal opportunity in the service today. Women are breaking barriers with policy changes regarding combat jobs; yet,
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Although individuals can categorize themselves in many different ways, it is difficult to deny demographic attributes; surface-level diversity typically includes age, gender, and ethnicity (Mohammed & Angell, 2004). Conflict is a common outcome when members of different groups interact. Mohammed & Angell (2004) suggests, “individuals are attracted to similar others because they envision that their own values and beliefs will be reinforced” (pg. 1016). Cultural diversity is geared toward having a deep respect and understanding of the various people in the organization, the military is no exception. “For much of its history, the U.S. military has been a testing ground for groups seeking inclusion in the mainstream of American society; today, new groups, including women and homosexuals, are seeking equal treatment” (Constitutional Rights Foundation, 2018, para 1). While moving slowly, and sometimes not at all, the military has nevertheless demonstrated that groups once unfairly branded as inferior are fully capable and deserving of equal opportunity not only the military, but in American …show more content…
Contrasting surface-level diversity, observable differences in people; deep-level cannot be seen directly, it can take a longer period of time to learn about these factors. Researchers believe that people pay attention to surface diversity because they are assumed to be related to deep-level diversity, which includes values, beliefs, and attitudes (Center for Open Education, 2017). According to Harrison, Price, & Bell, “Recent empirical research found that surface-level differences (e.g., gender, ethnicity) became less important and deep-level features became more important as groups continued to interact over time” (as cited in Mohammed & Angell, 2004, pg. 1016-1017). Though the military has forward progressed in racial and gender diversity within its branches of service; there are still speed bumps as societal changes has forced the Department of Defense to reevaluated its policy on two main subjects; religion and sexual
Although individuals can categorize themselves in many different ways, it is difficult to deny demographic attributes; surface-level diversity typically includes age, gender, and ethnicity (Mohammed & Angell, 2004). Conflict is a common outcome when members of different groups interact. Mohammed & Angell (2004) suggests, “individuals are attracted to similar others because they envision that their own values and beliefs will be reinforced” (pg. 1016). Cultural diversity is geared toward having a deep respect and understanding of the various people in the organization, the military is no exception. “For much of its history, the U.S. military has been a testing ground for groups seeking inclusion in the mainstream of American society; today, new groups, including women and homosexuals, are seeking equal treatment” (Constitutional Rights Foundation, 2018, para 1). While moving slowly, and sometimes not at all, the military has nevertheless demonstrated that groups once unfairly branded as inferior are fully capable and deserving of equal opportunity not only the military, but in American …show more content…
Contrasting surface-level diversity, observable differences in people; deep-level cannot be seen directly, it can take a longer period of time to learn about these factors. Researchers believe that people pay attention to surface diversity because they are assumed to be related to deep-level diversity, which includes values, beliefs, and attitudes (Center for Open Education, 2017). According to Harrison, Price, & Bell, “Recent empirical research found that surface-level differences (e.g., gender, ethnicity) became less important and deep-level features became more important as groups continued to interact over time” (as cited in Mohammed & Angell, 2004, pg. 1016-1017). Though the military has forward progressed in racial and gender diversity within its branches of service; there are still speed bumps as societal changes has forced the Department of Defense to reevaluated its policy on two main subjects; religion and sexual