Thinking Citizen Blog — “Should Military Officers Be Chosen By Race?”

Thinking Citizen Blog — Saturday is Justice, Freedom, Law, and Values Day

Today’s Topic: “Should Military Officers Be Chosen By Race?”

Today, some excerpts from an article in the Wall Street Journal by Harry Jackson, a retired US naval intelligence officer (who happens to be black). Experts — please chime in. Correct, elaborate, elucidate.

A “WHAT IF” SCENARIO THAT CLARIFIES THE ISSUE

1. “Imagine a U.S. Navy destroyer under enemy attack. Your son or daughter or niece is on board, having volunteered to serve. The decisions made by the captain of that warship make the difference between life and death for your loved one and all sailors on board.”

2. “It matters how that captain and other commanders are selected. Do Americans want leaders who are promoted based on intelligence, aptitude, skill and excellence?”

3. “Or do they want to entrust their children to those who were selected to bump up the military’s diversity statistics?”

PHOTOS OR NO PHOTOS IN SELECTION OF OFFICERS

1. “Officers up for promotion used to submit a photo as part of the review.”

2. “A couple of years ago the services eliminated the photo requirement, aiming to remove any bias.”

3. But the result was unexpected: diversity declined. Should the photos be reinstated?

NB: Vice Admiral Nowell, Chief of Naval Personnel, says yes. Harry Jackson says no.

WHO PAYS THE PRICE FOR RACIAL QUOTAS?

1. “It says that people like me are useful to the Navy because we are black, not because we are highly trained professionals or because we met the uncompromising standards of leadership.”

2. “That’s not the ethos of unity and common purpose that made the U.S. Navy the finest fighting fleet in the world.”

3. “Adm. Nowell and others are promoting racial quotas that would upend decades of progress and weaken the force. This divisiveness distracts from the mission, hurts recruiting and sows bitterness.”

NB: “If a war comes, it may be your son or daughter who pays the price.”

Opinion | Should Military Officers Be Chosen by Race?

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PDF with headlines — Google Drive

YOUR TURN

Please share the coolest thing you learned in the last week related to justice, freedom, the law or basic values. Or the coolest, most important thing you learned in your life related to justice, freedom, the law, or basic values. Or just some random justice-related fact that blew you away.

This is your chance to make some one’s day. Or to cement in your mind something that you might otherwise forget. Or to think more deeply about something dear to your heart.