Yes, I have been there and done that. I was a part of our nations all volunteer service from 1993-1997 and while that may not seem like a long time, it was long enough for me to base the the rest of my life off of. Let us examine the relationship our military has today with African Americans.

For many generations, the military has provided African Americans with job opportunities when the rest of the nation would not. A lot has changed since those days, including the role that the military plays in the lives of African Americans and vice versa. We have unprecedented opportunity outside of the military, which in turn effects those of us who do choose to go this route. One thing that hasn't changed much, is the fact that still most young African Americans that enter the military, come from low income families.

Reflecting on my own experience, I chose the military because I had in a sense (no choice) but to do so. My grades weren't getting me into anybodies college and I didn't want to end up hustling on the streets. The military was my solution as it provides money for me to have, and place to live with no worries. This is how a lot of young African Americans enter the military.

Today, African Americans enjoy the opportunity to learn an array of skill sets, travel the globe, and get money for college tuition. We have what our predecessors didn't. We have choices. More and more African Americans are choosing to use the military as a stepping stone to do bigger and better things. Most of us now choose a skill set that can be very helpful to us in the civilian world and while you still have people who stay and retire from the military, it is not a necessity to do that anymore. While racism still exist, it is small compared to 20 years ago. We as African Americans are now enjoying the same advancement opportunities as our white counter parts. We have African Americans in prominent and trusted positions, where that was not the case a decade ago. As the military has changed, so have the expectations of African Americans. While the rest of the nation continues to move toward racial equality, it's the military that continues to be a step ahead and a popular choice for African Americans

Learn more about this author, Thomas Baskin.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about African-Americans in today's US military?
We want to hear your view. Write now!