|
|
|
|
|
GOLDSEA |
ASIAMS.NET |
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)
This page is closed to new input.
Problems and advice posted during the past year remain available for browsing.
CONTACT US
|
ADVERTISING INFO
© 1996-2013 Asian Media Group Inc
No part of the contents of this site may be reproduced without prior written permission.
|
|
|
|
YOUR ADVICE
Very cool question. This might be the first time I've posted that I am a 2nd Class Petty Officer in the Naval Reserve. (E5 enlisted) From my encounters, racist thought is widespread in the military, so it doesn't matter whether you're an respected Officer or an outstanding Sargeant. Personnel of all races, ranks and prestige are vulnerable in the military because it gets ugly and very competitive in the higher ranks.
In the civilian world, it means this crap is not worth your time. In the military, this crap is irrelevant. A whole lot of people get busted in the military and a lot get promoted unusually quick. So I think both racists and the open-minded are aware that we are all stuck in the same trenches where any one of us can fall victim to something unfair. Same shit happens in the civilian world too.
The so-called "Power of the Pen" seems to be the biggest concern in the military, not exactly racism, sexism, or any other 'isms.
HONOR is still primary in the minds of women and men in the military. When a sense of comraderie and fellowship shows itself out in the open, it's a big deal in military life, enough to make idiots think smart for a moment, enough to cheer up a depressed shipmate.
I'm committing to the full 20-years despite the discrimination. I think it's still worth it. The military is that cool.
Confident ABC
Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 23:32:45 (PDT)
As a previous comment in this forum mentions, it used to be that whenever an officer promotion board in the Army did not select a minority officer for promotion, the board would take a second look at that officer to see if he or she had faced discrimination in some way. If they found evidence of discrimination, the promotion board would then revote the minority officer's file. However, these second looks and revotes have recently been done away with in the Army, due to several "reverse discrimination" lawsuits by white officers who were not selected for promotion. (I am not sure if the procedures were also eliminated for promotion boards in the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.)
My concern is that minority promotions in the Army will suffer as a result. It is naive to think that discrimination does not still exist in the military.
It is unfortunate that the relook procedures were eliminated, because they were the result of a hard won fight.
Still, I want to tell those young men and women reading this forum who are considering a military career that promotions in the military are very possible for Asians, Pacific Islanders, and other minorities. I happen to be a major myself. It just may be harder for you at times to win promotions, particularly for the rank of major and up. I believe several helpful procedures still exist, including the fact that at least one member of the promotion board is a minority and at least one member is female.
The difficulty that minorities face in winning promotions is also true in many civilian careers, and not only the military.
An Asian in the military
Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 18:25:07 (PDT)
I am a former enlisted-turned-officer Naval Officer who has been on active duty for 23 years.
I can say that my assignments and promotions were made at the Washington DC level. When it comes to promotions, the Navy requires that the records of minorites be "flagged" so that if a selection board does not select the officer for promotion, the Navy convenes a separate board to see if this officer's failure to select was the result of the officer not being assigned to challanging assignments and that not being assigned to those challanging assignments was due to racism.
Racist comments abound (note, I said racist comments, not racism. The difference is that while these guys will call you Jap to your face, they will take a bullet for you as well) While these guys call you names, they still invite you and your family to Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas parties and their kid's birthdays...
All in all, a military career is rewarding.
Navy LCDR airdale
Tuesday, April 30, 2002 at 12:33:38 (PDT)
I was on active duty in the US Army as an officer for 8 years. I left as a captain, and I am now a major in the US Army Reserves. I have truly enjoyed many aspects of my Army career. I would encourage all Asians to seriously consider a career in the US military. Asians can often achieve greater success in the US military than in the corporate world. However, I must also be frank and say that racism is still around in the US Army, and the other military branches. It is often subtle. I sometimes saw Asian officers get less desirable assignments, or get held to a higher standard than white officers in evaluations. It is also a fact that promotions of Asian officers in the military have often been at a lower rate than promotions of white officers. I saw a good number of Asian lieutenants and captains, but I saw fewer majors, lieutenant colonels, and colonels who were Asian.
I am sure Asian enlisted personnel also face the same. Although I have seen a good number of Asian junior and mid-level noncommissioned officers (NCOs), I have hardly seen any Asians in the senior NCO ranks- i.e. as first sergeants, master sergeants, or as sergeants major.
Yes, we have General Shinseki at the very top as the Army Chief of Staff. But just because Shinseki is Chief of Staff does not mean that racism does not exist in the Army against Asians. Shinseki had to overcome incredible odds.
Still, Asians will often have extremely fair bosses in the US Army, and in the other branches in the military- probably more so than in the corporate world.
Plus, serving in uniform in the military is a great way of reminding all Americans that we are just as American as anyone else.
These are the reasons why Asians should seriously consider a military career, either on active duty, or in the reserves.
One last note - the number of Asians in the US military has been increasing dramatically during the last few years. When I first entered in 1992 I did not see too many Asians. I am amazed at the number of Asians I see now in the US military.
Asians are in the military
Sunday, April 28, 2002 at 19:41:56 (PDT)
Want2beanOfficer:
You asked which branch of the service has the most comprehensive officer leadership training? They all do. Being a leader is 2% learning and 98% doing. With that said, I have always respected the way the Marines bring up their officers. Where else would you find a bunch of college educated people who can say to his Marines: "Follow Me" while leading a charge on a machine gun battery 100 meters up the beach. Even a Navy Officer appreciates that sort of leadership (although we will never admit it in front of a Marine.)
Navy LCDR Shipdriver
Sunday, April 28, 2002 at 12:03:42 (PDT)
MOST RECENT COMMENTS |
EARLIER COMMENTS
|