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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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Remember the highest ranking general in the Army is a Japanese American....
Young J. Kim
1LT, OD
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steelgunner@earthlink.net
Tuesday, May 14, 2002 at 22:36:24 (PDT)
Navy LCDR "Shoe",
"once there are more of us out there, I think the self imposed and the stereotype based expectations will level out. "
Well you're one of them now. Hopefully in the future, you will have an opportunity to level the expections for a fellow asian in the service.
AC Dropout
Monday, May 06, 2002 at 12:46:39 (PDT)
Airdale,
I work for BUPERS, and I checked before I wrote, the second look is not a formal procedure anymore (Some board presidents still do it on an ad hoc basis). I'd suggest you take a look at the BUPERS (PERS-80) site and read the precept for the O-5 Board, things have changed a bit lately. You still get the minority stamp on the record though. (I am AA)
LCDR "Shoe" Shipdriver
AC Dropout,
True, in the past I have often resented the fact that because I was Asian, they expect me to work harder and be smarter than my peers. When my peers get the medals for exceeding that lower expectation while I had to work much harder to get the same thing. Sometimes the expectations were self imposed. I am sure a lot of the other AA officers can attest, we impose the burden of not being a negative stereotype upon ourselves. (For the other officers who have responded, didn't you feel at one time or another that you needed to be better than the white officers in your company, ship, battalion etc. because you are the one and only chance some senior officer and your peers get to deal with AA officers? You fail, they will expect the next one to do the same. I guess this is the double-edge sword AC mentioned)
As I progressed through the ranks, I found that because I am aware of the high expectations of me, I rose to meet them and exceed them. None of my shipmates ever accused me of getting preferential treatement because I am an Asian American. They all see me work twice as hard as they do. They never complained that I was rank the top officer in the unit above them because they see it (I have had officers protest because I was ranked BELOW them and that is amazing in my community) Now as I get more senior, I find myself having to fight my own reputation as an operator and officer, but it is all good.
AC, once there are more of us out there, I think the self imposed and the stereotype based expectations will level out.
Navy LCDR "Shoe"
Sunday, May 05, 2002 at 11:23:59 (PDT)
I am currently a company grade officer in the military and I can say I haven't really noticed too much in the way of racism. Of course, it all varies from unit to unit because of the people in it. My current assignment has me in the Midwest and the majority of the folks assigned here are actually from the Midwest. I can tell they are not used to having an Asian around.
For example, any questions involving Chinese restaurants when we are deciding where to order out, they usuually ask me if a particualr dish is any good. I'll tell them what's usually in it but I can't tell if it's good or not if I haven't tried because everyone cooks it differently. They don't mean any malice by it and they really don't mean to offend me. I know that. Heck, we have a lot of Southerners here and Jeff Foxworthy-type jokes abound. However, because we know each other and know it all in light-hearted jest, no one gets offended. And if anyone does come up and ask to pt a halt to it. Everyone does. We trust each other. That's why it varies from unit to unit.
Navy LCDR Shipdriver was right when he said reputation will overshadow your race if your are serious about your career.
Slider, Chinese American, 24
Saturday, May 04, 2002 at 16:47:02 (PDT)
"I would rather have my captain have a high expectation of me than a low expectation of me."
Not to take away from your experiences in the Navy. The goals is to have a captain that has a similar expection of you as your non-minority peers. Anything else should not be tolerated.
AC Dropout
Friday, May 03, 2002 at 08:23:48 (PDT)
I have to disagree.
I have been a recorder at Naval promotion boards and I have seen a separate board convened for minority officers who failed to select...
...and I have seen the board conclude that the failure of promotion was based upon the orricer not given the opportunity for challanging assignments and as a result, selected for promotion despite end strength numbers.
To suggest "special consideration" is to make it is a separate issue. However, you will never know that you (assuming that you are a minority officer) were in fact selected via that separate convening board.
Navy LCDR airdale
Friday, May 03, 2002 at 07:52:01 (PDT)
I can say there is no second look on the Navy promotion boards. There is no re-vote on minority records in the Navy. The promotion panels are tasked by law to look for the best qualified officers to assume the higher rank, but they are also directed to consider the officer's record as a whole, including non-traditional jobs that minority officers may sometimes get assigned to. As someone who has survived and been promoted by many boards, and is selected for another promotion, I think non minority officers need only look at the colorful things on my chest to know I did not need special consideration to make it.
In answering some of the concerns stated by the others on the board. Yes, there are racial comments, insensitive comments, and even outright racist comments, but all in all the people in the military do follow the code of honor. As far as having to live up to a higher standard... yes I do think on occasion I have been judged with greater expectations than my non-minority shipmates, but I take that as a compliment. I would rather have my captain have a high expectation of me than a low expectation of me. As you get more senior, your reputation will dictate expectation, not your race.
Navy LCDR Shipdriver
Thursday, May 02, 2002 at 08:27:06 (PDT)
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