As the United States struggles to navigate issues of racial inequality and injustice, the U.S. military has been activated to address violent tensions erupting across the country -- but the military has its own issues of racial inequality to deal with. This week, service chiefs began to acknowledge that.
The military has made significant strides in promoting diversity within its ranks. While the general American population is 13 percent African American, 17 percent of military service members are, according to the 2019 census. But these diverse troops face the same issues that those not in uniform do. In February of this year, Congress demanded to know why the military was not tracking instances of white supremacy on the social media accounts of its service members. A report was released just last week detailing the efforts the Air Force has gone to in an attempt to cover racial injustices within the branch.
But the Air Force also led the other service branches this week in taking a stance in the national battle for racial justice.
"Just like most of the Black Airmen and so many others in our ranks…I am outraged at watching another Black man die on television before our very eyes," Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth Wright wrote in a 31-part Twitter thread published before any other senior military leader made a statement.
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"As I struggle with the Air Force’s own demons that include the racial disparities in military justice and discipline among our youngest Black male Airmen and the clear lack of diversity in our senior officer ranks … I can only look in the mirror for the solution,” Wright wrote.
Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Dave Goldfein followed not far behind Wright.
“Every American should be outraged that the conduct exhibited by police in Minneapolis can still happen in 2020,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Goldfein said in a memo released to wing commanders and first reported by Air Force Times.
The Air Force is also on track to confirm the first-ever African American service chief. Gen. Charles Brown, current Pacific Air Force commander, is expected to be confirmed by the Senate as Goldfein’s successor. He released his own emotional message about the “tragic death” of George Floyd.
Amid national unrest, nomination of first black service chief moves forward
The Air Force’s response led the other service branches.
In a joint statement, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville wrote that the Army has at times “fallen short.”
“We need to work harder to earn the trust of mothers and fathers who hesitate to hand their sons and daughters into our care,” the statement reads. “How we respond to the anger that has ignited will chart the course of that trust.”
“Over the past week, after we’ve watched what is going on, we can’t be under any illusions about the fact that racism is alive and well in our country. And I can’t be under any illusions that we don’t have it in our Navy,” Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said in a statement to the fleet.
"The trust Marines place in one another on a daily basis demands this. Only as a unified force, free from discrimination, racial inequality, and prejudice can we fully demonstrate our core values, and serve as the elite warfighting organization America requires and expects us to be,” Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David Berger’s statement read. Months ago, Berger banned symbols of the Confederate flag for all Marine Corps installations and personnel.
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In that instance as well he communicated that “anything that divides us, anything that threatens team cohesion must be addressed head-on." One of those “divisive” threats is racism.
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Reach Elizabeth Howe on Twitter @ECBHowe.
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