House Armed Services Committee Approves Senior Military Officer Diversity Commission; Increases Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Units
Amendments were included in H.R. 5658, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009
Thursday, May 15, 2008
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WASHINGTON, DC – The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) today approved two amendments in the defense authorization bill to increase diversity representation within the senior officer corps of the U.S. Armed Forces, and expand Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Units.
Once enacted, the newly established Senior Military Diversity Commission will be mandated to study policies that provide opportunities for the advancement of minority members of the Armed Forces. Special emphasis will be placed on developing and maintaining a diverse leadership at the general and flag officer positions. A copy of the amendment is attached.
The second amendment, led by Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), would mandate the Secretary of Defense to increase JROTC units. Additionally, it enhances JROTC curriculum through the inclusion of contributions of and historiography of women and ethnic minorities and expands the pool of eligible JROTC instructors and administrators by including retirees who are Wounded Warriors.
The legislation will also expand the JROTC program and instructs the Secretary of Defense to meet the long-term goal of maintaining 4,000 JROTC units by no later than 2020. High school students are eligible to participate in JROTC programs. A copy of the amendment is attached.
Since October 2007, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) have held a regular series of meetings chaired by Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL) with the military’s civilian leadership, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and senior military commanders to discuss ways to increase diversity within the senior officer corps and expand the JROTC program.
"Just as our military looks like America, so too must our general officers. If minorities are asked to go into harms way, they must be allowed to lead as well,” said House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC). "A military that is proportionally representative of all races, cultures, and ethnicities increases the readiness and efficiency of our fighting forces."
“The truest melting pot in our society exists aboard aircraft carriers, in barracks and on bases. Mess halls and exchange service stores, shooting ranges and training facilities are portraits of diversity,” said Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL). “But in the officers’ clubs, a much different picture emerges. The diversity reflected within the enlisted ranks is lacking within the senior officer corps. The Joint Chiefs of Staff engaged in a series of serious and productive conversations with the CBC and to everyone’s credit, ideas on how to achieve diversity in the senior officer corps are resulting in real action.”
“These measures are critical in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the U.S. armed forces by addressing the under-representation of women and ethnic minorities and creating a diverse military that fully represents our nation’s citizens,” said Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD). “The brave service members who volunteer to serve our country—whether men or women, black or white—deserve better, and for the sake of our country, we can and must do better.”
"African Americans and women have served this country in the armed services in some capacity since the Revolutionary War. It is time we ensure they have opportunities to continue this commitment throughout all levels of our military,” said Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA). “I was proud to work with Representatives Meek, Cummings, and Castor to add language to the Defense Authorization bill to do just that."
According to the Defense Manpower Data Center, as of March 31, 2008 there were 54 African American flag officers and general officers, including one four-star general; and 13 Hispanic flag and general officers. In total, there were 963 flag and general officers in the Armed Forces; 883 of whom were Caucasian flag and general officers.
U.S. Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC) is the House Majority Whip. He represents the 6th Congressional District of South Carolina.
U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek represents the 17th Congressional District of Florida which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He serves on the House Committee on Armed Services and is the lone Floridian sitting on the House Committee on Ways and Means.
The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings represents the 7th Congressional District of Maryland in the United States House of Representatives. He serves on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Joint Economic Committee, Armed Services Committee, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he sits as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Congressman Hank Johnson represents the 4th District of Georgia which encompasses the vibrant suburbs just east of metropolitan Atlanta. He serves on the House Committees on Armed Services, Judiciary, and Small Business.
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