Task Force Fighting 'Silent Epidemic'

[unhappycamper]

Task Force Fighting 'Silent Epidemic'
Army News Service | Elizabeth M. Lorge | February 27, 2008

WASHINGTON – The Army's new Diversity Task Force director said fewer minorities are graduating from high school, which decreases the number of minority youth who can join the Army.

Brig. Gen. Belinda Pinckney said she has already met with leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus on the issue of decreasing minority graduates and said the problem is being called a "silent epidemic."

She made the comments following her keynote speech at an African-American History Month observance at the Pentagon Tuesday, where she emphasized the important roles people of all races, ethnicities, nationalities and languages play in the Army.

Formed in January after a retired lieutenant general asked Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey if the Army was losing sight of diversity in the face of so many other commitments, the Diversity Task Force will report to Gen. Casey and Secretary of the Army Pete Geren and assess the Army's diversity efforts, policies, practices and training for leaders and Soldiers, according to Pinckney.

It will also work with corporate America, academia and Congress to learn from best business practices and share experiences. The task force will also, Pinckney said, try to find solutions to problems like the dwindling graduation rate.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,162991,00.html



uhc comment: Oh come on Belinda, a waiver will take care of that pesky problem.

[janetblond]

1. I didn't know you had to be a HS graduate

I didn't know the military required a HS diploma.
Frankly, I've never heard a black kid say, "I need to finish HS so I can join the military".
Never!
Most black kids want to finish HS so they can go to college.
Where does that leave latinos? .. many of whom don't finish HS AND DO join the military.
I guess NOT graduating from HS is a way to AVOID the military.
??????