U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek and Congressional Black Caucus Call For Increased Diversity in Commanding Ranks of the United States Armed Services

Washington, DC – Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL), Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Congresswoman Carolyn C. Kilpatrick (D-MI), Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and other Members of the CBC assembled with officials from the Department of Defense on October 3^rd to discuss minority and female representation in commanding ranks of the United States Armed Forces.

Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL), Member of the Armed Services Committee, worked to facilitate the meeting. "I wanted to organize this historic meeting with top military officers because I believe the Armed Services are at a crossroads and hope this is the first part in a continuing dialogue between the CBC and all branches of the Armed Services."

"As men and women from all racial, ethnic and religious origins risk life and limb to protect the tenets of American freedom and democracy, they remain marginalized from leadership and commanding posts," said Chairwoman Kilpatrick. "Therefore, we are calling upon House Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton to hold a series of hearings to audit the composition of our military, to ensure that the diversity which makes our country great is reflected in both combat and in command."

"During the meeting we reviewed the military branches personnel policy reform initiatives designed to help meet future objectives and provide an analysis of the promotion rates of senior officers," said Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). "By highlighting the methodology and the results of our talks I hope that we, as Members of Congress, can assist strategic military leaders in nurturing, developing, and retaining minority officers to become successful leaders of the future U.S. Armed Forces."

"As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am appalled to find that there have only been a handful of four-star African American Generals throughout the history of the U.S. military; and now, sadly, there remains only one African American of that rank currently serving in the Army," said Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA).  "We must do better.   We need to roll this issue over and see what's under there.  We need to look into recruitment, mentoring, and ensuring that our talented, young minority and female officers have every opportunity to attain our military's highest ranks."

According to recent statistics, there are 207,174 Commissioned Officers in the United States Military. Of which 17,491 are African American, 51 are African American Flag Officers, 1 is an African American Four Star, 5,194 are African American females, and 3 are African American female Flag Officers. There are 10,291 Hispanic American Commissioned Officers, 4 are Flag Officers, and 1 is a Four Star. Additionally, there are 743 African Americans, along with 29 multi-race members, at the Colonel/Captain level, compared with 10,142 Caucasians.

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) was particularly interested in avoiding racial tension throughout the ranks similar to those that arose during the conflict in Vietnam and inhibited the effectiveness of our forces. "It is in the interests of our nation's security to maintain and improve the racial composition throughout all branches of the military. No solider should feel that they are only pawns in a game of chess."

The meeting was attended by Chairwoman Carolyn C. Kilpatrick, Majority Whip James Clyburn, Congressman Robert Scott, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Congressman Gregory Meeks, Delegate Donna Christensen, Congressman Kendrick Meek, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, and Congresswoman Laura Richardson, Mr. Gorden England, Deputy Secretary of Defense, Mr. David Chu, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel, General George W. Casey, Chief of Staff of the United States Army, Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chief of Naval Operations, General T. Michael Moseley, Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, and General James T. Conway.

U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek represents the 17^th 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.

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