Racism in the US Army

The term racism is commonly related to discrimination and perhaps discrimination itself would be the simplest definition of racism in which race in the main basis. Racism had always been present in the history of mankind, on every race and nation and up to this time, racism can still be observed in many societies in different aspects and even in different institutions. However, the main concern of this paper is to examine whether racism is evident or existing in the US army like in many other institutions in our society today.Being the largest branch of the armed forces of the United States, the United States Army is well known for its loyalty, patriotism and many other traits that are really praise worthy. However, there are also issues of racism that does not only exist within the US army but as well as in their actions regarding certain operations. Is racism really present in the US army? Being well known for its commitment and as well as being well trained both in duty and discipline, there are some claim that the US army cannot be viewed as a successful model of racial integration.

Although, it can be said that the particular institution is composed of both white and black Americans and as well as different nationalities as well, many still believe that there exist many forms of racial discrimination. The US army can also be considered as an institution where black’s achievement are high and cannot be equaled by the achievements of blacks in any other institution in the United States. As Moskos stated, “blacks have served in various capacities and numbers in the American military since colonial times” (1994).This serves as a ground of racial integration as some may say. When it comes to the internal matters of the Army, many argue that racism is present in such a way that most well desired positions are taken mostly by whites in which “nearly all of its officer corps, all front-line combat commanders, highly skilled or high prestige jobs (pilot, special forces ‘operator’, submariner, and so on) are deeply and thoroughly White, that is, as segregated as the military as a whole was pre-1950” (Clark, No Date).Are blacks really that unqualified for the position? Definitely not! Thus, there is a form of segregation on the part of the members of the US army wherein the good positions are for white and the least are for other groups.

As mentioned earlier, blacks played an important role in the Army since the colonial times however; some may also argue that racism also exists in this situation since these blacks were usually commanded by whites.This is a common situation faced by many blacks in the military, “they served in rigidly segregated units, usually commanded by white officers” (Moskos, 1994). On the other hand, some opponents of this claim, although they approved the occurrence of the situation wherein superior positions were taken by whites, view this situation as something that has nothing to do with racism or discrimination on the part of those who are held in the inferior position. They claim that the situation is true but the selection of ranks has nothing to do with racism.Rather the selection of ranks has to do with intelligence in which, as opponents claim, white dominates.

Thus, having higher IQ’s than blacks is the main edge of white army members that gives them the greater privilege of achieving higher ranks in the army and has nothing to do with racism and segregation. When it comes to having higher IQ’s we cannot conclude that one race is superior to the other. This thinking in itself is racist that limits and hinders the opportunity that is given to other races or cultures.There may be presence of inequality in terms of having IQ but this certainly has nothing to do with the race of a particular person but rather, on the opportunity and treatment that is given in which case, whites can be considered to really have the privilege that is also brought about by the discrimination and racism present in the society. However, this does not imply that whites have better IQ’s than blacks and vice versa. When it comes to having ranks in the military, this situation of having better IQ does not apply.

There is no such thing as giving a high rank to a newly recruited member of the army.Yes, there may be inequality in the ability and knowledge of blacks and whites before joining the army but this inequality is not the basis of choosing ranks and as well as the position. There are series of trainings that both whites and blacks must undergo in order to develop their skills and knowledge needed in the field. Experiences are also important in which it can be said that blacks are not inferior to white since both undergo the same training. Thus, it can be said that the IQ and the knowledge acquired outside the army has nothing to do with the ranking of the individuals.

Thus, racism does exists in the US army when it comes to choosing the position and ranks of the members in which whites are placed in a higher position while blacks are segregated to have a lower position, suited to take commands from the white officers. Thus, racism does exist within the United States army especially when it comes to choosing the ranks for its members. There are also some cases in which not only the black Americans who are victims of racism but other cultures as well that are part of the US army such as Hispanics.According to the article by Ahmed Ismail in April 29, 2007, there had been a form of racism, according to Brig.

Gen. Kenny Montoya, that exist in the incident wherein a unit of 55% Hispanics were ordered to “strip to their gym short and searched for gang tattoos while on duty in Kuwait” (Ismail, 2007). Although army official argue that the searches on the Task Force Cobra was proper and legal however, not everyone saw it that way and some like Brig. Gen. Montoya argues that racism was involved (Ismail, 2007).

This incident also shows that there is racism that could really be present even within the United States army and that not only the blacks are being victims of racism but other cultures as well. This may be due to the superiority feeling that whites have over any other culture that exists in the contemporary time and thus, as long as this notion of being superior is present not only in the US army but in the whole community as well, racism in different forms cannot be eliminated in different institution even in the US army.Another question about the US army is the racism that is present outside the institution, regarding the actions of higher officers, which are mostly whites, when it comes to treating civilians both from other races and culture as well and that also involves situations not only within the country but in other countries as well. Regarding the actions of US army soldiers, there had been some instances wherein they fail to act as they should especially regarding the treatment of civilians of which most of their victims are blacks.

According to Todd Ensign’s article, one night on December 1995, “three white soldiers from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, N. C. , got into a car and drove around Fayetteville in search of black people to kill” (No Date).

Although, they are arrested for their actions, this situation clearly reveals how racism is present in the community. Although these soldiers are known to be well disciplined and committed to protect the country together with the citizens, they acted like blacks in the community are not part and members of the country that they are serving.This is the hard and painful reality that as long there exist some differences in the culture and especially in the color of the skin and appearances of individuals, we can never be really be 100% free from such form of racism and discrimination. There are also some cases of racial discrimination that can be traced from the actions of the US army in the contemporary time which can be recalled and seen in the war between the United States and Iraq.There had been some issues and claims about the racism that exist regarding the treatment of US soldiers in the said country.

Brigadier Nigel Aylwin-Foster commends the US army’s “unparalleled sense of patriotism, duty, passion, commitment and determination” (Reid ; Evans, 2006). Still, Americans, according to Brigadier Nigel, "at times their cultural insensitivity, almost certainly inadvertent, arguably amounted to institutional racism". (Taylor ; Wilson, 2006).Also, an Army reservist, Aiden Delgado in the 320th Military Police Company who served in Iraq for about 6 months insisted that, “racism – a major impetus to violence in American history – is driving the occupation, infecting the entire military operation in Iraq” (Rockwell, No date). Indeed, the US army is well known for its patriotism, loyalty and discipline but the fact that racism still exist in the army is also evident both within and outside the institution and also, both for blacks and non-blacks that include other cultures such as Hispanics in the army.As a matter of fact, not only in the US army but in the whole American community as well and as mentioned earlier, as long as differences especially in color and appearance exist, racism and discrimination in many forms cannot be eliminated.

Racism is truly a problem faced by those who are considered inferior by other cultures from the past up to the contemporary time and surely, in the future as well.Referenceshttp://ahmedismailibrahim.blogspot.com/2007/04/racism-against-hispanics-among-us-army.htmlhttp://www.blackcommentator.com/133/133_think_racism_military.htmlhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/jan/12/topstories3.iraq