<p>This upsets me greatly…why the focus on just one under represented minority group? We should be more concerned with the OVERALL picture. With this year’s incoming swab class, 24% are URM’s. Up 8% in ONE YEAR. Good job CGA…you are on the right track!</p>
<p>And another note, some folks just self-select OUT of military service. Black, white, hispanic, asian…across the board there are folks who just don’t care to serve. Add to the fact that there are many who choose the AF or Army over the Sea Services due to personal preference…it takes a special salty breed to head out to sea for months at a time. Just another hurdle for some, but a deal breaker for others.</p>
<p>Bottom line, I am convinced that if you bring the information to the inner cities and URM’s, (which IS being done), and encourage those who may have an interest to apply, then the CG has done it’s job. That said, I do feel that the recruitment efforts/outreach would be more successful if they started much, much earlier. Reaching out to a URM Jr. or Sr. in a poor-performing public high school will generally not result in more appointments…the kids are lacking in some of the more critical math/science skills that the academy requires, and sadly are ill prepared for the rigors of the academy. Get to 'em in middle school…make them want to work hard in HS with an eye towards a service academy appt. It gives the kids time to prepare their service academy resume, and more importantly, come prepared to succeed in a brutally tough academic environment.</p>