THE MILITARY

It’s All About the Rank

New research shows that minorities and women have the highest job satisfaction ratings among those serving in the military.

By Sarah Kliff | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Jun 12, 2008 | Updated: 2:03  p.m. ET Jun 12, 2008

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  • Posted By: lifeisdelicious @ 07/10/2008 8:58:57 PM

    As a veteran female, I disagree. The politics of getting rank in a male dominated organization is difficult. I went through Soldier Competition after Soldier Competition to prove myself, whereas my male counterpart just had to join the Masons to get recommended for the promotion board. Of course I was in the Army and if I'm correct the Navy has a different promotion system.

  • Posted By: 1nTX @ 06/13/2008 2:24:53 PM

    Having served in the air force as an african american male I can say overall the job satisfaction is there because its members understand that sexism and racism is not tolerated and you have avenues that you can take to address it when it occurs. The majority of people I have met in the military are outstanding people give you the shirt off their back but I have also met some of its unspoken members (prejudices by both white and black). Have I been called out my race; of course and the military handled it appropiately. I believe the military provides an opportunity for people to be judged on ability not skin color or sex as long as they can admit the person can get the job done.
    As for women I have met more that could do the job better than some men and didnt need any special treatment or would ask for it but there would be one who would be remembered for asking and ruin it for others
    Ultimately the military is built on enlistment from the civilian sector thus bring in some of its problems. The UCMJ protects all its members from unfair treatment and the civilian world could use some if its guidance.

  • Posted By: emtyn1 @ 06/13/2008 12:13:36 AM

    I grew up an Army brat and what the article says is true. My late father's best, long-lasting friend from a military was a white guy from Alabama (who woulda thunk it?). Although my dad died in '93, he still sends me the first Christmas card I get every year. I've lived the last 24 years in the same, predominantly white neighborhood. Neighbors are very carrying and supportive of eachother (during deaths, births, kids with cancer, etc.), The difference in the military, the neighborhood is well integrated. In my civilian neighborhood, only after 24 years are minorities--first blacks, now Latinos--moving in. Civilian neighborhoods are very segregated by race (which is caused by income differences....which is caused by a variety of factors).

  • Posted By: rif2422 @ 06/12/2008 6:54:29 PM

    As a vet, I can tell you the military really takes care of one another, no matter of race, color, or creed. A guy in our squadron lost everything his family had in an apartment fire, he had no insurance. Our squadron raised several thousand dollars to help his family, as well as the other resources the military often helps with. There is a very strong camaraderie and bonds between military personnel. Even after people have served their time.

  • Posted By: kelseyrev @ 06/12/2008 6:53:25 PM

    As an African American male who has retired with 20 years in the Army, I served having a great deal of love for the military. I had the privilege to serve in Operations Just Cause, Desert Shield/Storm, and other numerous peacekeeping missions/deployments/contingency operations in hostile areas. My family is a 3rd generation of combat vets with my deceased father in D-Day and liberation of Europe in WWII to my son who has had served in Afghanistan and soon to go to Iraq. There's nothing like the military regardless of what branch because of the comraderie, loyalty, and teamwork...especially when it comes to depending on your buddy in combat. As for women in the military, I didn't care who you were as long as you were proficient in doing your job, physically fit, and could shoot whoever was coming if it got hot. Even though the article highlighted upon high job satisfaction among women and minorities, I didn't come across anyone who wasn't proud to have served and didn't have that close bond between those (regardless of race, gender, etc) who went into combat together or bumped into someone regardless of who they were, who also had been in combat. There's a bond within the military that transcends you as an individual and it gives you a sense of pride and confidence in yourself and your country which never goes away. My heart still jumps when I see Old Glory go by in a ceremony, see it waving in the air, have the honor to salute when I hear reville or retreat as the flag is raised or lowered, or hear "The Stars and Stripes Forever" playing. To those who have served, you know exactly how I feel and for those who haven't...you won't understand until you've joined and laced up the combat boots.

  • Posted By: midnight05 @ 06/12/2008 6:17:26 PM

    i find that gratifying and it probably leads to women leaving the militarry with greater self-assurance after their hitch is done. They probably have greater access to advanced trainng, too. They have a greater appreciation of "teamness" and more readiness to subordinate their own egos to the project. That means they are more apt to get promoted quickly because they bring important values to civilian life. If they choose to stay in the military, they are really strong contributors to their units. There is one problem with the military for women and that is the huge number of sexual assaults reported at the service academies. Obviously there is some big time resentment among their male peers and an attempt to humiliate them and make them leave or, at the very least, not reoprt ithe assaults. The military has to work on this and do so quickly to get the kind of woman who can shine in the military.

    • Posted By: teddybear5 @ 06/12/2008 6:46:14 PM

      I agree with this article very much I was in the army for 12 years and when I left the service I was shocked of the racism and the good ol boy system that is in the civilian work force and the unions.I have been working for 13 yrs for the goverment and the racism is so strong I guess I was not aware of it when I was in the service, but in the military it seemed everybody got a fair chance in the civilian work force it seems that if you are not white or a family member of the union president you are not even considered. So I recomend young minority to give the military a look why work in a factory for 11dollars and hour with no health insurace when you could start out at 30 thousand a year retirement traval responsibility and health insurance for you and your family.

  • Posted By: rdixiesunrise61 @ 06/12/2008 4:40:03 PM

    I am an air force brat, a retired navy wife, mother of a sailor and a future female soldier. I am very proud of the jackets that I have worn and will wear. I for one wanted to go into the military but I had a child that i did not want to give up. At that time hubby left the navy but went back in due to bills having to be paid. I take my hat off to these fine people of our military, they deserve it. It is great to see that women and minorities get a fair shake in the military. I am hoping that my daughter finds it satisfactory for her, since she said that she wants to stay in for 20 years.

  • Posted By: newschmp @ 06/12/2008 4:24:08 PM

    The risks vary depending on your career field in the military but overall there are great opportunities to boost your training and education. The satisfaction that you advance based on your good performance and have a stable, secure job is worth the risk. Granted some areas go through down-sizing but programs are in place to help transition and stay active-duty. I don't see going into the service as being "disadvantaged". I count myself lucky to be able to serve. I have been in dangerous situations in deployements but the amazing experiences and working with wonderful people of all races from all over the US and other countries is like nothing I would have done in the civilian sector. I appreciate it and think each person can make the most of it with motivation to advance since equal opportunity is emphasized.

  • Posted By: homeschooler @ 06/12/2008 3:44:36 PM

    I'm so happy that their is a news article about people who are happy in the military. My husband(who is white) has been in the military for 16yrs and we are both happy. The military is fair in their promotions, you get a raise every year and the benefits are fantastic(healthcare anyone?)
    We are raising 2 daughters and one of our favorite things about being in a military community is the diversity and the awareness of the world, not just america.
    Glad to see others are happy as well.

  • Posted By: epsilonicus @ 06/12/2008 3:12:16 PM

    Wow. I would have thought it would be the complete and total opposite. A lot of work must be done on the civilian side in order to improve discrimination for women and minorities. I figured that there would be less satisfaction due to the stress involved.

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