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How bad is discrimination in the military?

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kawika109

Registered User
I recently heard about a Japanese-American Marine who *supposivly* was the target of racial discrimination. He had his masters degree and had served in the marines for twelve years (I don't no much about his leadership skill or personality, but he *sounded* bright) , yet was not promoted above 2nd Lt. his entire time in the service. He was stationed in Hawaii and the incident made the local newspaper (this all happened around a year ago or two). Does anyone know about this or can comment on this incident? Has anyone encountered or heard of any racial discrimination that affected a soldier's rank, job or position in any branch?
 

slasher

OCC 186 Bound
I've served active duty in the military, and am a minority and never really felt discriminated against. As a matter of fact I always felt the military culture was ahead of civilians in that respect-we put our lives in each others hands and can't be divided by such petty nonsense. Of course there were a few who were bigots-but fewer than you'd think.

As for this Lt. above I don't buy the story. The Marines (as all services) promote based on merit, not skin color. The brass and politicans would also never allow it as it would create a scheitstorm for them. If he was not promoted, I'd venture to say he did something stupid to kill his career.
 

quickandsure

Registered User
I believe there is more to the story than " ... 12 years in the Corps and not promoted above 2nd LT ... ". However, as part Cherokee, experienced many racial slurs and bigotry. Such things as " ... sitting bull over there .. ... where is your tomahawk ... and on and on". Nothing official but some good old down home bigots.

Believe there is no official discrimination, but it surely exists. Believe orientals take the brunt of it. A recent post herein talked of " .. Japs .." and the author of the post did not even not it was as racial slur. I actually heard an admiral, R.E. Cook, say " ... i will not have a man in my organization that is married to a Gook. Get rid of him". In a recent snowstorm of posts, a member, obviously without the benefit of being a native english speaking person, was denigrated by many of our members. Sure it was easy, sure it was fun, but come now. Officer and Gentelmen? Hmm.. Read the threads.

My advice to an oriental, if sensitive, would be to think long and hard. Get some folks who "know and have experienced it all" to give advice.

Just my observations.
 

virtu050

P-8 Bubba
pilot
i'm an asian american in the military and i haven't witnessed any discrimination. curious people will ask me what my ethnic origin is but i'm always happy to answer. u know, there are just as many redneck hillbilly jokes out there as there are ethnic ones.. :)

at OCS my DI tried to irk me by making fun of my ethnicity... even suggested that I joined the Navy to sell secrets to North Korea. I knew he was kidding and just trying to get to my head. I found it hilarious more than anything.
 

spsiratt

24 April OCS
Rubbish. That's what Social Actions is for. I can't honestly say for any other service, but the AF has a zero tolerance policy for racial discrimination. I've seen careers ended for using racial slurs. If you don't report it, you're doing yourself and others a disservice. There is no room in the military for bigots or racists.
Now, I don't know for sure, but I'd guess that the Navy and Marine Corps have an EEO or Social Actions office or something of the sort. This is the place to go if you ever feel discriminated against for any reason. And believe me, they can really make things happen. Don't just sit back and listen to it and laugh it off, because it will affect you and your service.
 

spsiratt

24 April OCS
Oh yeah, and like virtu050 just stated about his experience at OCS... training situations should be taken with a grain of salt. Things like that are used to get under your skin and see how you'll react. I've heard them all.
 

dwitt

Registered User
Yeah, if you can't take someone making fun of you, you need to rethink joining the military. Not everyone is going to talk to you the way you want them to and surely, not everyone is going to like you. Get over it.
 

jaerose

Registered User
Quoting grist: "In a recent snowstorm of posts, a member, obviously without the benefit of being a native english speaking person, was denigrated by many of our members. Sure it was easy, sure it was fun, but come now. Officer and Gentelmen? Hmm.. Read the threads."

Hmmm indeed. grist, I don't think you happened to be one of the people this 'innocent' member consistently badgered via AIM. I was and I can tell you that 1) that individual's language and remarks during AIM conversations was much more inflammatory than anything posted here; 2) the member was NOT 'denigrated' for being a non-English speaking individual, but rather for the way they came onto the forum and presumed to contact everyone she could to tell about her torrid affair with an 'IP from VT-9;' 3) before I (yes, I made fun of the person) ever said anything demeaning, this person contacted me via AIM and the language used on their part was worse than an episode of the Osbournes, not to mention I asked about their origins (assuming they weren't native English speaking) and was assured that they were from California and have always been from that state; 4) This person was trying to convince this board that they were highly educated, but they did not have a slight grasp on grammar and syntax, so other members pointed this fact out (albeit in a harsh way).

So, to assume that the posts were a way to discriminate against this member for being a non-native English speaking individual is absolutely ridiculous and/or ignorant. That just goes to promote inaccurate feelings about the military and its personnel. I would say that discrimination most likely does happen, but that it is the exception rather than the rule. Yes, I poked fun at the member you mentioned for poor spelling and grammar and I agree that it was not the most mature thing to do, but it was in no way discrimination against someone with a different ethnic background than my own!

If it sounds like I took offense to your statement, you're absolutely right!

JR
 

kawika109

Registered User
To dwitt: I could care less about being made fun of, I just don't want it to affect my rank or job opportunities.
 

quickandsure

Registered User
Rosie, sorry I offended you. But as dwitt said, you will get over it, am sure.

Virtu050 makes my point. Anyone that makes fun of ones ethnicity is guilty.

However, it seems that some are saying society might be on the wrong track. Rather than try to end the racism/bigotry, might we just try to help victims cope with this racism/bigotry so they will not be offended? Could we call it "de-sensitivity training"? Bakabakkashi.
 

perchul

Registered User
I completely despise this topic, lots of it makes me feel that some people are going into the military assuming that if they don't do as well as they want to they'll know why. While idealistically we would all either be Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, or Airmen I do understand that some people are still going to retain the biggotry they had from before they entered. In some of my IR classes we had to study the military and what I've learned is that race is less of a factor in the military then it is in any other industry. Don't go into this with an excuse for failure prepared, rely on yourself and do you best. In the words of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman "You are all equally worthless!"
 

virtu050

P-8 Bubba
pilot
makes me recall some funny OCS stories...

one time we were in chow hall and a DI came up to our table and was talking to a Philipino officer candidate. The DI was like... so what are you? Chinese? Japanese? To which the candidate replied.. "SIR, GERMAN SIR!" The whole table started laughing uncontrollably.

Another time, a DI shouted across the chow hall to the same candidate (who is pretty short). DI was like "Where arrreeee youuu?" The candidate responded "Here Sir!" DI says, "Where I can't see you!... Oh wait! There you are! Behind the Ketchup!"

ironic thing is the DI is a short philipino as well. LOL
 
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