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A
snapshot of elements in the demographic profile of the modern U.S.
military.
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MILITARY
OFFICERS (As
of September 2000)
Out of a total of 215,527 officers in the
Department of Defense, 17.5% fall into a minority group:
- 8.5% are Black
- 3.8% are Hispanic
- 5.2% are of "other"* ethnic origins
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 The
Army has highest percentage of minority officers. Out of a total
of 76,732 officers, a total of 21.4 percent fall into a minority
group:
- 12% are Black
- 4.1% are Hispanic
- 5.3% are of "other"* ethnic origins |
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 Of
the four military branches, the Air Force has the lowest percentage
of minority officers. Out of a total of 68,490 officers, a total
of 14.1 percent fall into a minority group:
- 6.3% are Black
- 2.2% are Hispanic
- 5.6% are of "other"* ethnic origins
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ENLISTED
PERSONNEL (As
of September 2000)
Enlisted personnel represent the largest group
in all branches of the military. The Marine Corps has the smallest
number of enlisted personnel at 152,474 while the Army has the largest
at 394,642.
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The
Army has the highest percentage of minority enlisted personnel:
Out of a total of 394,642 enlisted personnel, 44.6 percent fall
into a minority group:
- 29.2% are Black
- 8.7% are Hispanic
- 6.7% are of "other"* ethnic origins |
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Of
the four military branches, the Air Force has lowest percentage
of minority enlisted personnel: Out of 281,901 enlisted personnel,
28.1 percent fall into a minority group:
- 18.2% are Black
- 5.4% are Hispanic
- 4.5% are of "other"* ethnic origins
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WOMEN
IN THE MILITARY (As
of September 2000)
- Women compose 14.4% of military officers and 14.7% of enlisted
personnel.
- The Navy has the highest percentage of female officers at 14.7
percent while the Air Force has the highest percentage of female
enlisted personnel at 19.3%.
- The Marine Corps has the lowest percentage of female officers
at 5.2% as well as the lowest percentage of enlisted personnel
at 6.1%.
According
to 2001 U.S. Census estimates, women compose approximately 51%
of the U.S. population.
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AGE
STATISTICS (As
of September 1999)
- 45.8% of enlisted personnel are between 17 and 24 years old.
- 73.4% of all officers are 39 years old or younger.
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*
"Other" includes Native American, Alaska natives and
Pacific Islanders.
Sources:
Department of Defense, Center for Defense Information
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EDUCATIONAL
BACKGROUND OF U.S. MILITARY OFFICERS & ENLISTED PERSONNEL
(As
of September 1998)
OFFICERS:
50% have baccalaureate degrees only
39% have advanced degrees
6% have high school diplomas or GEDs
5% have an unknown educational background
ENLISTED
PERSONNEL:
68% have high school diplomas or GEDs
25% have between one and four years of college but no degree
3% have baccalaureate degrees
Less than 1 percent have alternate educational credentials
Less than 1 percent have advanced degrees
Less than 1 percent have an unknown educational background
2% have no high school diploma or GED
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Source:
Department of Defense
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