Quote Originally Posted by Ken White View Post
I believe Congress would support that approach IF the services would be logical and consistent instead of trying to often trying to bamboozle the Congroids to do it the service way...
From what I've heard, that's worked for the Marines. I hope I've heard correctly.

ganulv, the problem is that programs to accomplish diversity for the sake of diversity always crowd out merit and effectiveness. Always. If the diversity police decide the organization doesn't have enough members of subject group A in a particular category, then they will insist that members of group A be hired or promoted in regardless of ability. They will cheerfully explain that insistence on ability to perform the work is just bigotry.

That isn't to say that underrepresentation of a particular group might not indicate a problem. It may very well indicate that there is some bigotry involved in recruitment, selection or advancement. But even in that case, the problem is the bigotry that denies opportunity and advancement, not a lack of "diversity."

It also helps to recognize that in some cases, self selection does take place. There are few, if any, Seventh Day Adventists in the combat arms - because it violates there religious principles. They have and do, however, serve in other areas, and have a particularly distinguished record as medics and corpsmen. It is extremely unlikely we'll ever see, for example, a CJS who practices that religious tradition, not because of any bigotry, but because they have selected themselves out of any career track that might lead to it.