Free Republic

WASHINGTON - African-Americans, whose longstanding relationship with the US military helped them prove their abilities and offered a way to get ahead, have turned away from the armed forces in record numbers since 2000, a period covering the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the start of the Iraq war. Defense Department statistics show the number of young black enlistees has fallen by more than 58 percent since fiscal year 2000. The Army in particular has been hit hard: In fiscal year 2000, according to the Pentagon statistics, more than 42,000 black men and women applied to enlist; in fiscal...

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, June 15, 2005) -- In celebration of the Army’s 230th birthday, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker administered the oath of service and allegiance to 28 future Soldiers June 14. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey, who also attended, expressed their gratitude to today’s Soldiers and their best wishes to the Soldiers of tomorrow. Today’s Soldiers defend the Constitution and serve the country by voluntarily taking the military oath to serve, said Schoomaker in the opening remarks. “Our birthday is a tribute to all the Army’s Soldiers: past, present,...