The reality among the military services today is that there is a shortage of African-American officers in each service and far too few Black officers in the senior ranks. Defense Secretary William Cohen, while addressing students at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va., in late 1998, announced that he wants changes in the composition of the military.  I want more African Americans to join our military as officers and stay longer to become admirals and generals, said Cohen.  Therefore, recruitment and retention are top priorities.

Recruitment

Each military service continues to seek men and women who have been academically competitive undergraduate and graduate students, as well as working graduates.  Entry-level officer positions require a minimum of a 2.0 GPA and a qualifying SAT/ACT score determined by each service.  Additional skills or academic qualifications are required for technical positions such as aviation (pilots), medicine, and nursing.  Recruiting officers, such as Lieutenant Harold W. Long, U.S. Navy Reserve, actively seek men and women for medical programs that offer many opportunities for health care professionals in the Medical Corps, Nurse Corps, Dental Corps and Medical Service Corps.  In addition to competitive salaries, these programs can lead to bonuses, Specialized Training Repayment, and Student Loan Repayments (up to $20,000).

Who are they looking for?

The same students and graduates that Southwestern Bell, Boeing, GTE, and Motorola are looking for, stated Major General Jack Klimp, commanding general, Marine Corps Recruiting Command, Washington, D.C., when addressing his Officer Selection Officers (OSOs), constitute our pool of desired candidates. Those individuals who have the right stuff, and who are role models on campus and back in their neighborhoods, are the young people all branches of military service want.  Young men and women are sought who accept the challenge to compete, then go about the business of excelling in leadership positions in their chosen job fields, regardless of where or how many people they are leading, or the amount of responsibility (accountability) they will ultimately have.   "I want us to recruit the same individuals that the other Generals want," Klimp said, "General Motors, General Dynamics and General Electric!" 

Military recruiters are looking for natural leaders such as Steve Wilson, a Mississippi State graduate with degrees in math and computer science; and Terrence Boyd, a Howard University and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale graduate with a degree in administration of justice and information systems. The military seeks talented, bright, determined African Americans, who are undergraduates and graduate students for officer training programs in all branches of the military. Undergraduates such as Darnell Anthony Jones, a pre-medicine student at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, are just as important to the military recruiters as well.

My parents really support me joining the military following graduation, so I'm looking at all my options at this time, stated Jones.  My eyes are set on going to medical school in Chicago and it may be through a military funded program.  My mom, who stressed to me the importance of reading my books before running track or playing football, and my high school coach, who made me become an academic-athlete, guided me through my high school days in Chicago focused on reaching my goals.  I graduated from Waukegan High School in 1997 as a three-year honor student (currently carrying a 3.1 GPA in college), beamed Jones, with my hope of one day becoming a doctor, military officer, or business owner.  

What does the military offer?

All the military services offer basically the same type positions, differing mainly on an individual service's mission.  Jobs range from leading men and women in a routine common goal, to that of being a pilot supporting people on the ground while flying a multi-million dollar airplane.  Officers may work as systems analysts on the latest technologically-advanced computer, while others may control millions of dollars of funds or equipment.  Numerous other job fields are readily available in areas such as engineering, food service, supply, administration and logistics to name a few.  According to Colonel Jim Green, assigned to the Air Force Center at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas, the Air Force is seeking to recruit 1,100 new pilots in 1999 and 2000. 

The military's competitive pay and benefits are unique in that pay compensation plans are all-encompassing.  That means officers receive approximately $23,000 in salary for entry-level officers plus added benefits such as medical, dental, and life insurance policies worth as much as $200,000, which are free.  Also, there are food, clothing, and housing allowance benefits given each month in addition to your pay, along with 30 days paid vacation each year.  Tuition reimbursement (up to 75%) is available for those persons pursing advanced degrees.  Pilots, doctors, and nurses are also eligible to receive yearly bonuses. 

Retention

It is a known fact that corporate recruiters actively seek military officers for their leadership ability, maturity, and success orientation, especially minority officers. Why?  Because the 18,129 minority officers currently in the military possess those attributes and are well-trained, disciplined, and have histories of high achievement.  Officers deciding to remain on active duty following their initial time of obligated service (normally 3-5 years) begin to chart a career path up the ranks by assuming greater responsibility and achieving long-term job successes.  To insure that the growth pattern continues, the military services have implemented various mentoring programs for all their officers.  As stated by General Roland R. Fogleman, USAF (Retired), when establishing the Air Force Mentoring Program in 1996, I see mentoring as a fundamental responsibility of all Air Force officers.  It helps Air Force officers reach their full potential, thereby enhancing the overall professionalism of the officer corps.   Other services have similar programs and have placed mentorship as one of their primary avenues to get and keep their most valuable assets, their people.

Mentorship has reaped countless rewards as evidenced by First Lieutenant Don Sanders, USMC.  A graduate from the University of Maryland in May 1995, with a degree in business management, Sanders listened intensely to the officers assigned over him.  He credits his success to his mentors.  Sanders, recognized as a superb officer and role model at his headquarters in Washington, D.C., will complete a masters of science degree in finance from the University of Maryland in the summer of 1999.  I just wanted to make a difference, beamed Sanders.  I always believed within my heart that I met and exceeded all the requirements of being an officer of Marines and an effective leader.  My goal now is to help those who follow me reach their dreams while I continue to pursue my doctoral degree." 

Officer retention is assisted by various military affiliated organizations such as the National Naval Officers Association (NNOA).  The NNOA, an almost fraternal group of officers from the Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps, work together to assist, counsel, fellowship, and guide African-American officers along their career paths.  They also participate in activities sponsored by the NAACP and the Urban League such as scholarship award banquets and recruiting events at historically Black colleges and universities across the nation.  The Air Force and Army have similar organizations.

Reality

Attraction to military service will continue as students and graduates stop, look, and listen to the offers presented to them by military recruiters.  Recruitment slogans suggest that interested African Americans see beyond the beginning of their career pursuits and focus on the belief that success can be measured by their ultimate goals attained over a long period of time.  The messages are as crystal clear as the words themselves: "Aim High" (USAF); "Be All You Can Be" (USA); "The Change Is Forever" (USMC); "Let The Journey Begin" (USN), and "Be Part Of The Action" (USCG).  Each sends a powerful challenge to those seeking life-long "leading and learning" experiences.  In reality, the approach has proven to be one that is tough to be matched by firms and corporations seeking those same talented African Americans. 

African-American officers, who left the military to explore opportunities in the corporate world, have reported to have been more competitive because of their resumes overflowing with the education and experience seldom equaled by civilian peers seeking the same positions. Those continuing their military careers compete for promotions up the rank ladder to the ultimate and highest level of military responsibility, the ranks of admiral or general.  Even if only a few are promoted to that prestigious level, all can look forward to all the benefits and rewards of the journey!