Ethnic and cultural diversity in the U.S. Army permeates history as far back as the Revolutionary War and through every war, the United States has taken part in since. The Army we know today has changed so much since those times, frequently for the better. These winds of change are due to the Army’s promotion of social equality. Background, schooling, race, religion, and other factors shape Soldiers immensely. By acknowledging differences, qualifications, contributions, and potential, you create an environment where subordinates know they are valued for their skills, contributions, and differences. Now before we continue let us define what diversity is. Diversity defined is “the representation in one social system, of people with
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Today our Army is the most diverse fighting force on the planet. We could not have achieved the magnitude that our nation holds today if it was not for that diversity. Diversity in the past was out of necessity and less out of moral acceptance. Diversity began not long after the creation of our fighting forces. During the Revolutionary War, as many as 5,000 African Americans served with the Continental Army, mostly with racially integrated units from New England. The majority were infantrymen or unarmed pioneers detailed to repair roads and bridges (HISTORY, 2015). Although met with skepticism and distaste it showed to the American people that when we stand together as one nation we stand stronger. These acts taught our fore fathers the hard-learned lessons of diversity. Unfortunately, in the years to follow racism, the lack of foreign opponents, and a growing concern about possible slave rebellions all combined to omit blacks from military service in the forty years preceding the Civil War. Then need once again rose for diversity to show its true capabilities. In 1861, the northern and …show more content…
In the year 1914 the U.S Army had another opportunity to highlight how important to the survival of our national diversity really is. The United States Army found itself locked into a deadly war with Germany and needed Soldiers. It was during this war that African American men saw an opportunity to prove their loyalty, patriotism, and worthiness for equal treatment in the United States. (HISTORY, 2015) The Army much in need of troops was eager to oblige. In the years following World War I, African Americans served in cavalry, infantry, signal, medical, engineer, and artillery units, as well as serving as chaplains, surveyors, truck drivers, chemists, and intelligence officers. (U.S. ARMY CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY , 2015) Positions that up to this point were unheard of for African Americans in the military. The change was not only in the military but also in the American public as well. Historically speaking embracing new diversity issues in the military leads to the American people following suit. I personal accredit that to the fact that the Army is nothing more than an extension of the American public. As history has shown the accomplishments of our Army has been impart due to the acceptance of diversity within the ranks. If we continue to follow the diversity chain in the Army, we could arrive on more topics of diversity such as, religious beliefs in the
Today our Army is the most diverse fighting force on the planet. We could not have achieved the magnitude that our nation holds today if it was not for that diversity. Diversity in the past was out of necessity and less out of moral acceptance. Diversity began not long after the creation of our fighting forces. During the Revolutionary War, as many as 5,000 African Americans served with the Continental Army, mostly with racially integrated units from New England. The majority were infantrymen or unarmed pioneers detailed to repair roads and bridges (HISTORY, 2015). Although met with skepticism and distaste it showed to the American people that when we stand together as one nation we stand stronger. These acts taught our fore fathers the hard-learned lessons of diversity. Unfortunately, in the years to follow racism, the lack of foreign opponents, and a growing concern about possible slave rebellions all combined to omit blacks from military service in the forty years preceding the Civil War. Then need once again rose for diversity to show its true capabilities. In 1861, the northern and …show more content…
In the year 1914 the U.S Army had another opportunity to highlight how important to the survival of our national diversity really is. The United States Army found itself locked into a deadly war with Germany and needed Soldiers. It was during this war that African American men saw an opportunity to prove their loyalty, patriotism, and worthiness for equal treatment in the United States. (HISTORY, 2015) The Army much in need of troops was eager to oblige. In the years following World War I, African Americans served in cavalry, infantry, signal, medical, engineer, and artillery units, as well as serving as chaplains, surveyors, truck drivers, chemists, and intelligence officers. (U.S. ARMY CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY , 2015) Positions that up to this point were unheard of for African Americans in the military. The change was not only in the military but also in the American public as well. Historically speaking embracing new diversity issues in the military leads to the American people following suit. I personal accredit that to the fact that the Army is nothing more than an extension of the American public. As history has shown the accomplishments of our Army has been impart due to the acceptance of diversity within the ranks. If we continue to follow the diversity chain in the Army, we could arrive on more topics of diversity such as, religious beliefs in the