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AA ADVICE NETWORK
Seeking Advice on Military Careers for AA
've been trying to search the internet for awhile now and haven't found anything about this issue of asian-americans in the US military. it affects me because it's a big decision for me to decide if this is the career route that i want to take after graduation from college very shortly now. in particular, i'm wondering what support networks are out there because there're simply very few asians in the military? can the site editors start an advice or issues discussion thread on this topic or are there others out there that can share their experience? in particular, there are two options for me, either to get a high profile officer position or to go with my more prefered medic who's sworn to help save lives. i guess i'm worried about discrimination if anybody has any insights? thanks.
asians in the military?
Sunday, April 21, 2002 at 13:28:33 (PDT)
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YOUR ADVICE
Hey Asian in the military,
I spent 4 yrs in the Marine Corps and overall, it was a great experience. I was a communications operator and I was stationed out of Okinawa for 3 years. During that time, I bounced around the Pacifc rim region doing training in Korea, Thailand, and various other places with the 31st MEU (Special Operations Capable).
I have to say that there weren't too many other AAs. According to a Marine Corps Almanac in '96, Asians did not even fill a racial category of their own, but were put into the other group, at about 6%.
As far as the work environment goes, overall it was very professional regardless of race, but there are some occassional pricks!!
However, don't let it discourage you!! I genuinely believe that the military is a good option for Asians because there aren't too many of us there. To add, if you've been successful in other aspects of your life, there's no reason why you can't excel there!!
I am no longer in the Corps, but it has definitely given me a strong foundation and a great experience. I'm currently working on my law degree and I can only say that my time in the service has helped me along the way.
whatever your military choice may be, I wish you good luck!!
here's a good military website:
www.specialoperations.com
semper fidelis,
a devil dog!!
Thursday, April 25, 2002 at 08:28:36 (PDT)
Hi,
I am in the military, Airforce to be specific. There are Asians in the military, in every branch. I have many Asian friends that are or were in the military. If you are level headed, work hard and know what you are talking about you will do well. I also think that you should do what you love. If you want to be an officer be one, if you would like to be a medic choose that. Personally I think you should join the Airforce not the army but hey its your life
bchbabhi
bchbabhi@aol.com
Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at 17:06:11 (PDT)
asians in the military?,
I had a friend who joined the army as an enlisted man. He said he wasted 7 years of his life.
I've also had friends who when to West Point, Air Force, and Naval Acedemies as plebes. Those that made it past plebe summer are still in the service as officers.
JAG has a point, officers and enlisted men are worlds apart.
Just remember you have no civil rights in the military (or at least the ones we are brought up with as civilians). Whole different world in there.
But on the flip side my friend was honorably discharge as a plebe can check off the veteran box and get all those benefits.
Why don't you have the Military pay for your medical education. Enjoy 4 more years of civilain life. Before you give them 8 years of your life.
AC Dropout
Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at 15:29:56 (PDT)
Hey Asians in the military?,
Like I said, you have to do what you want to do, that's the only way you're going to be satisfied with your life choices - if you don't make your own life decisions, and it turns out bad, then you're going to be resentful.
I agree with you - the medic is on the front line, in action, and you'll have more "direct" contact with any kind of war, and actual application of your skills to save people. If that's what you want to do, go for it!
By the way, I'm pretty sure the reason why your recruiter wants you to sign up for OCS and seek a commission is that he gets more "points" for his own evaluation. At least that's how it was in the Navy. So you have to wonder what his motives are in getting you to go the officer route. And I respect your motives - it's not about money or lifestyle, it's about serving our country, doing something about what's happening in our world.
As an attorney, I would advise that you read the contract very carefully. Do not believe the oral promises of anyone, especially your recruiter. I have heard too many horror stories about how recruits were promised certain types of jobs or training, only to discover once at boot camp that, gee too bad, the "needs of the Navy/Army/Marine Corps say that you have to be a...chef/barber/paint chipper." There are certain programs that promise certain positions, but these contracts are typically longer in duration, and may require certain ASVAB/physical scores.
Talking to people in the Special Forces is a great idea. If possible, try to talk to actual SF members, not the recruiters, because they know the straight scoop. They will be able to tell you what it takes to get into the SF, not the "official" version you get from glossy pamphlets and recruiters. Sure, anybody "can join" right out of boot camp - but what qualifications does that anybody have to have? Remember that the official version standards are minimums, and that realistically, there are other criteria (some subjective) that may factor into selection.
Also - maybe you're already set on the Army - but did you check out the Navy SEALs and the Air Force SpecOps programs? I think any specialty can get into the SEAL program, it's more a matter of not washing out of the rigorous training they have (although I didn't meet a single AA SEAL). And don't forget the Navy Corpsman (like the medic) - they serve on the frontline with the Marines.
Good luck with those tests! You can email me with more questions if you think it'd go off topic.
navy judge-advocate guy
aitoh@hotmail.com
Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at 14:53:04 (PDT)
hey navy judge-advocate guy,
maybe i should clarify my position more. the army recruiter does want me to go for an officer contract and attend ocs. however, i feel that ethically because medics are sworn to save everybody it's more direct and immediate than "saving lives" by taking others away like an officer would be forced sometimes to give the order. and i don't think i'm "wasting" my education because i want to go for army special forces medic, who often goes to heal people wherever special forces are called to go. and i can always attend ocs from being enlisted because i already have my degree.
my motivation is not money or lifestyle, but 9/11. special forces are the frontline of counter-terrorism and humanitarian aid missions. this is why i'm thinking of joining. i'll be taking the asvab and physical later this week. but i want information from other asian-americans in the military before i sign the contract. should i ask to speak with a special forces recruiter specifically about how to join? the goarmy.com recruiters have been telling me that an officer must be of least rank 1stLT promotable or captain in order to be considered for SF, however going directly into enlisted means i can sign up for SF medic right out of basic.
thanks for your input.
asians in the military?
Tuesday, April 23, 2002 at 18:29:09 (PDT)
Do whatever your heart tells you to do. I served 3 years on active duty in the Navy as a JAG officer (still in the reserves) and I had no problems with discrimination or racism. And I have a very asian first and last name. Of course, one nice thing about the military is that if they can't figure out your name, they just call you by your rank. ("Hey Lieutenant!")
Don't know how it would be on the enlisted side, but I would say, in my experience, the military is very good about "color blind-ness." Your race is never an issue, unless you make it one. (actually, I've experienced more racism in the civilian world). As a JAG officer, I did have occasion to come across a few individuals (not Asian) who suspected that delayed promotions or bad evaluations had some racial overtones, but I know many successful Asian Americans who have made it. In fact, Eric Shinseki, a JA is Chief of Staff of the Army - the highest ranking General (and officer) in the Army, I think.
To be honest, I'm not sure if there are any support networks in the military, but maybe it's because I felt very comfortable, so I never sought any out. It helps that many servicemembers have travelled all around the world, and are more "worldly" about things than your average American, despite whatever formal education they have.
In your situation, I think a bigger issue may be whether you're "wasting" your college degree - the disparity in lifestyle between the enlisted and officers is enormous. Officers make more, and have more freedom, but have much more responsibility (this isn't necessarily "high profile"). Enlisted make far less, usually living in the barracks, have no freedom initially to schedule their lifestyle (at the whim of their superiors), and are more expendable. Also, I noticed that if an enlisted person wasn't liked, it was very easy to get that person kicked out of the military with bad paper - but that's almost unheard of with officers. And finally an enlisted Sailor I know claimed that the officers (generally speaking) have much better looking girlfriends/wives than the enlisted guys. If that's important to you.
And by the way - in one way or another, all of us in the military, whether medic, shipdriver, pilot, or dentist, we are all sworn to uphold the Constitution and sacrifice our own lives, if we have to, to defend our country and its people. So we've all sworn an oath to save lives, in a way.
Good luck with your decision - hope this helps.
Navy JAG
Tuesday, April 23, 2002 at 00:39:38 (PDT)
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