Diversity in the Department of Defense

By Christen N. McCluney

March 1, 2010 - The Pentagon Channel recently interviewed Clarence Johnson, Principal Director, Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity, about celebrating African American History Month and Diversity in the Department of Defense.

Johnson highlighted that throughout the month there have been many events to commemorate and educate the DOD on the culture and legacy of African-Americans, including lunches, fashion shows and career fairs.

“The reason we celebrate African-American history month is to show that blacks have played a part in establishing a successful America,” Johnson said.

African-Americans have played a role in the Department of Defense, in both the military and civilian side since its existence as far back as the revolutionary war.

When Carter G. Woodson came up with the idea of Negro history week he wanted to highlight groups like the Tuskegee Airmen, Buffalo Soldiers and Montford Point Marines, he added. These groups served in two fronts, in a war environment and at home in a segregated environment.

“Over the course of time the DOD has given many blacks the opportunity to serve, train and be educated,” Johnson said. “The G.I. bill had a lot to do with the growth of the middle class and many blacks profited from it.”

Johnson also said that DOD leadership stresses that “diversity is the source of our strength” and being able to celebrate diversity whether it be African-American History Month, Native American History Month or Women’s History Month is testimony to the departments commitment to the statement.

“The military has come a long way in assimilating races, women and persons with disabilities into our workforce,” he said. The number of African-Americans in the military has increased over the last 10 years to about 18% and Hispanic officership has also increased as well.

Johnson also said that there are three major enduring diversity challenges that the military faces: incorporation of people with targeted disabilities in the workforce, the representation of Hispanics through the civilian workforce in the DOD and representation of all minorities in the senior grade the department.

The military tends to reflect the population Johnson added. It’s important to continue to celebrate diversity and continue to show its importance.

“Research shows that diverse groups perform better,” he said. “The military is full of diverse groups, diverse thoughts and diverse talents. I think our military and our nation are stronger for it.”