Global War on Terrorism

The U.S. Army has experienced a disproportionate decline in Black recruitment. Blacks, who once represented 23 percent of annual recruits, now only represent less than 14 percent. What factors have caused the disproportionate decline in Black recruits? Does the decline in Black recruits impact U.S. Army diversity initiatives? The answers to these questions provide insights to measures the U.S Army must take to reverse this trend. This monograph explores the critical question: Has the Global War on Terrorism caused the disproportionate decline in Black recruits for the U.S. Army? It seeks to answer this critical question using the Political, Military, Economic, Social, Information, Infrastructure (PMESII) model as a framework. The Political, Economic and Social domains are deemed most important in the analysis of Black culture. The monograph analyzes these three domains to determine any factors or trends that have caused the decline on Black recruits. Also included is a detailed, historical analysis of the propensity for Blacks to serve in the U.S. Army since the Revolutionary War. The historical section presents a foundation of patriotism and willingness to serve despite racial prejudices. The political section suggests partisan politics play a role in the propensity of Blacks to serve in the U.S. Army. The section explores the original migration of Blacks to the Democratic Party, the impact of the 2000 elections, and the powerful influence of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in the Black community. The monograph then explores the Economic domain. This section disproves the common misconception that a booming economy currently dissuades Blacks from joining the military. The section examined such economic factors as U.S. labor markets, median household incomes, and the perception amongst many Blacks that government funding for the GWOT directly impacts much needed funding in the urban community. The Social section examines the Black culture through such filtersThis work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.