The continuing focus on diversity and inclusion has become more of a “race issue” and a “gender issue” than an “ethnicity issue.” The Hispanic American population has grown to be the largest minority group in this country, and yet, comparatively speaking, our armed forces still do not reflect “the face of the nation” with regard to the Hispanic American population. This is particularly true in the flag and general officer, senior officer and senior enlisted ranks. This is not diversity and inclusion.
As you will remember, 45 years ago the emphasis to increase the number of African Americans in key colleges, universities and other educational and business institutions was through affirmative action and quota control. This program, which was deemed as successful, had its flaws. It had very little, if any, regard for any ethnic community, and there was little concern for meritocracy.