Iraq War Forces a Dramatic 58% Decline in Number of Blacks Enlisting in the Military

(Taylor Media Services) According to recently released figures from the Defense Department, there has been a whopping 58 percent decline in the number of Blacks enlisting in the military since 2000. Authorities believe the primary reason for the drastic drop is opposition to the Bush administration’s war in Iraq.

There has been a decline in enlistments among virtually all racial and ethnic groups but the African American decline has been the most dramatic. While Black enlistments have plunged by 58 percent since 2000, enlistments have fallen by 10 percent among whites and 7 percent among Hispanics. The Army, long favored by Blacks, has been the hardest hit. For example, in fiscal year 2000, 42,000 young African Americans enlisted in the Army but by the 2005 fiscal year that number has fallen to 17,000.

Based on surveys and interviews conducted with young Blacks, military analysts say the three primary factors driving Blacks from involvement in the military are opposition to the war in Iraq, distrust of the Bush administration and the belief that Black soldiers are steered to combat jobs. The Pentagon is attempting to combat the enlistment drops with sign-up bonuses and a massive public relations effort targeting young Blacks.