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Retired Naval Commander Encourages African Americans to Consider Enlistment

Number of African Americans volunteering for military service has dropped drastically

Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) - According to Pentagon statistics, enlistment of African Americans in the military has dropped more than 30% since the beginning of the Iraq and Afghanistan war. The Army alone has experienced nearly a 45% drop in Black recruitment over the same period.

These figures are of concern to national defense officials and military commentators such as retired Navy Diving Officer, Gregory Black. Having served in the military for 21 years, Black now runs www.Blackmilitaryworld.com, a rapidly growing online source of relevant news and information for national consumption about African-Americans in the military.

As a veteran of Desert Storm's Gulf War I, Black is immensely proud of the selfless service of all servicemembers, and salutes the great sacrifice of those servicemembers fighting in defense of our nation.

Black notes historically, African-Americans have a proud legacy of participation in the military, beginning with Crispus Attucks, who was the first American to die in the Revolutionary War. These Blacks, he comments, viewed the military as a type of civil rights force possessing great power to liberate and protect freedom.

Although Blacks are still joining the military in numbers approximating the overall Black population, Black regards the reduction in enlistment as alarming in the context of the historical record of strong African-American participation in the military. While Black cites an improved economy and other opportunities as reasons for the decrease in African-American enlistees, other reasons concern him. "Overwhelming opposition to the war by young African-Americans, is the primary factor influencing their decision to decline to enlist," says Black. He also observes those Black youth are also "persuaded against the war by influencers, such as family, religious, and community leaders, who also oppose the war."

"I hear frustration from all over, including Black veterans, even retired military personnel. From the feedback that we receive through the website, it is clear that African-Americans are generally patriotic as a people, but just have very strong objection 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.

Feelings aside, Black believes that by not enlisting, many young African Americans deny themselves the unique developmental, leadership, educational and career opportunities the military has traditionally offered African-Americans over the course of history. "Take a look at some of the great African-American leaders of our generation," 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-Americans 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."

Black believes "the military molds character through a time-honored tradition," which "will provide confidence, skill, and a can-do attitude for a lifetime." Black says that serving in the military "is like walking through the fire – it is hot, but the heat make you a lot stronger for the trials to come in life." Black is concerned that many African-Americans who ordinarily would join the military may miss that character molding opportunity, as well as benefits such as travel and funding for college education. "There are tremendous opportunities in the military to enable those without resources to continue their education, and African-Americans should consider them," Black says.

As for the potential dangers of the war, Black concedes that any time a servicemember wears a uniform, he or she risks serious injury in a combat zone "as part of the risks associated with the military's mission of defending America's people; Black comments that "while the daily news focuses on Iraq, there appears to be a crime insurgency in the African-American community that warrants national attention, and I plan to galvanize the current and former African-American community to address that situation through a national African-American military forum. In the meantime, I hope media reports do not distort the views of African-American youth from a realistic assessment of service in the military."

Regardless, Black encourages anybody with a viewpoint on the war, the military, or the African-American military experience to learn as much as they can through independent study before making a decision. He recommends that Blackmilitaryworld.com be one many of the resources that they use.

"We present the most relevant information about the African-American military experience you will find on the web," Black said. "This is exactly why we launched the site 10 months ago."

While Black would like to see more young African Americans volunteer for military service, his immediate goals are broader. "I'd like to see people from all generations engaging in an open and honest dialogue about these and other issues through our online forum," Black said. "If nothing else, this would be a serious step in the right direction toward concerted action."
 

Gregory Black is a retired Navy Commander who holds a Bachelor Degree in Communications and Master Degree in Public Administration. Since launching Blackmilitaryworld.com, Mr. Black has been interviewed by CBS Evening News, Jim Lehrer Online Newshour, Melvin Van Peebles Documentary, The New York Times, National Public Radio (NPR), Boston Globe, Radio One Detroit, XM Radio, National Urban Radio, and several others, on issues related to the Black military experience.