ROTC cadets are talking class about academic knowledge of rappelling training.

By: Shan Li

Diversity in the military and ROTC in the United States has been a social issue for a long time. According to The U.S. Army Center of Military History, the Army Guide by Congress claims that women, homosexuals, African-American, Hispanic-Americans, Asian-American have been prohibited from serving for the military and ROTC for several centuries. As time goes on, the United States Army noticed that diversity in army is important for the development of the society. So, in 2003, the Chief of Staff in the Army, General Eric K. Shinseki suggested to set up a Diversity office to manage the diversity issue in the military. And in late 2010, the Diversity and Leadership Office was set up. For now, women, homosexuals, African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Asian-Americans are being allowed to serve in the military and ROTC.But as minorities, they still face some problems. According to the Asian American and Pacific Islander ROTC Background and Demography, it shows the percentage of enrollment in Army ROTC. 72.1% Caucasian enrolled in ROTC. 28.9% of Non-Caucasia enrolled in ROTC (11.7% African American, 6.9% Hispanic, 0.9% Native American and 4.8% Asian American). By the numbers: Women in the U.S. military indicates the female’s current percentages of duty in ROTC.  Only 2.7% of the women are enrolled in the military’s front-line units. Like Dr. Bert Huggins from United American Army Cadet Command said, diversity in the military may still be a serious social issue in the United State.