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E-Mail of the Day: Stop Discriminating Against the Military
Compiled by the Editors of DiversityInc - May 18, 2009
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Also read: DiversityInc Careers, federal agencies, warrior, military, veterans, DiversityInc Top 50


Reader Response:

Diversity drives across the country are, in my opinion, becoming more and more successful at solidly linking issues such as race/ethnicity, gender bias, LGBT rights and age bias to the term "diversity." I'm finally seeing even more reverse-discrimination issues raised under this banner. Kudos. But there's one major presence missing under the umbrella of diversity--and that's "culture."

Click here to read "Military Is Still Firing Gay Soldiers."


Click here to read "Veterans Day: Remember the Forgotten Soldiers."


Click here to read "Does 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Have a Future?"


I've heard the term used ad-infinitum by clueless leaders who automatically assume that culture is simply a synonym for race. Sad. There are a multitude of very individual cultures within each race that go unnoticed. (How many cultures make up the true America?) However, there is one specific culture that's widely and intentionally divorced from the term "diversity"--and that is the military culture.


Those of us who have served (I retired with 25+ years of service to my country) have a very specific culture that is widely misunderstood. There are many (many!) prejudices against military people that very closely mirror those of race, age and gender, but I have yet to hear any voices rallying against those who discriminate against a military person. I have attended uncounted diversity meetings, missions, training sessions, etc., but have yet to hear one word that links all of the rights of a person of color or sex or age to those who have served our country. I have personally experienced enormous and very blatant persecutions because of my association with the military but quickly found that there is no avenue for people like me to find justice or get a hearing.


I once asked my company's vice president--who has never served a single day in the military but feels extremely knowledgeable about the services and feels it is his right to label, demean and discriminate--to replace the term "military" with any other "diversity-friendly" term (Black, lesbian, elderly) in one of his many anti-military sentences, just to give him a better idea of how his words sound to me. He still didn't get it.


My employer is on your list of top companies that are successfully addressing diversity issues in their workplace. However, the company still has nothing in place to preserve and defend the rights of the people who have repeatedly defended and preserved rights and freedoms.


Has this issue been brought to DiversityInc's attention before? Your site says that you "want a workplace where you will be judged on your contributions." How can that happen when [military employees] have to deal with prejudgments such as: "All military people are rigid, black-and-white thinkers and are only good at following orders"?


Back to my company's vice president, I had also asked him to try to not use military generalizations when referring to me and to give me feedback only on specific things that "I" did or did not do. He could not. He even once chastised me for having my hands behind my back, saying I was standing at parade rest. I told him that my mother was the one to teach me to stand up straight and keep my hands out of my pockets, so at an early age I started keeping them behind my back when I was thinking, speaking to an elder or nervous. He [also] pointed out that I say "sir" too often. I again told him that my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles drove home the point that you always say "sir" or "ma'am" to those in authority, to elders or to strangers. He didn't know what to say.


I pick on my VP, but he is only one of many that I've encountered who automatically discriminate against military people and think that it's OK.


When I go to Diversity training sessions and hear how things "used to be" toward Blacks, Latinos, Asians, etc., I can't help but think that things are still that bad against military people. We are held back from promotions, often based solely on the "military perception." We are treated unfairly, and often with anger, because of the automatic perception that we are all baby killers, or machines, or rigid, cold, or simply followers.


Sorry to rant. It's just that I have had to hear (again) my companies' [leaders] praise themselves on the higher ranking in your magazine this year and how well they are doing in the area of diversity when military people are still alienated from the attention and protection of that term.

Sad.

--Anonymous

The views expressed herein are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DiversityInc.

To download DiversityInc's Veterans in the Workplace webinar, click here.

Readers' Comments

Your opinions and thoughts...
Posted Monday May 18, 2009 by Guest;
Thanks in large part to the work of a veteran, who I believe is deceased, we have the inclusive-of-veteran-status text of the University of Michigan's non-discrimination polioy below.Non-Discrimination Policy NoticeThe University of Michigan, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University of Michigan is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. .
Posted Monday May 18, 2009 by Guest;
I agree with everything you said. There are MANY groups that face discrimination in the workplace. It is important to realize that "diversity" goes beyond race and gender - it is ALL encompassing. As the daughter of a military man, I can sympathize with some of the obstacles you have faced in your career. There are, however, many other groups that go unnoticed as well. I've heard mumblings at the workplace regarding STUDENTS (lazy, probably hung over, no work ethic), FORMER GOVERNMENT WORKERS (won't go above and beyond, only give the minimum, not creative thinkers, rule followers), SOON TO BE RETIREES (on vacation all the time, already have one foot out the door, don't care what happens after they leave)…and the list goes on and on. We have to remember that acceptance is acceptance is acceptance. People come from all different backgrounds and we should see our differences and opposing mannerisms and opinions as strengths and assets in the workplace. It's the differences that set us apart from others -- and that's a good thing!.
Posted Monday May 18, 2009 by Guest;
"I've heard the term used ad-infinitum by clueless leaders who automatically assume that culture is simply a synonym for race. Sad." The same is for race and ethnic group.I couldn't agree more. I think the U.S.A. should stop documenting minorities such as Latinos and Hispanics as Hispanic non-White or Hispanic non-Black because it leaves a large percentage of them to choose! My boyfriend is Cuban but is also black and for him to have to choose which race he wants to be just isn't right. If they are going to do this to Latinos and Hispanics they should also include the choices Hispanic-black or Hispanic- white. Why not? As we,Hispanic/ Latino and African Americans know, they document them like that in order to manipulate data and statistics to bunch us altogether for their own "research" to refer back to. I peep their game and an ugly game it is! .
Posted Tuesday May 19, 2009 by Guest;
As I read your article, I was amazed at how many points I could identify with (hands behind my back, saying sir and ma'am, etc...) As a military "brat" brought up in a Southern US culture, I too was raised to be respectful, and use "sir" and "ma'am" as a sign of respect. Now living (and working) in a less-Southern US culture, I get funny looks when I use the same forms of respect that I was taught to use. I'm so glad you had the fortitude to stand up to your VP, and the self-respect to explain WHY. .
Posted Monday May 25, 2009 by Guest;
My father served in Vietnam and only recently retired from the Army Reserve. My maternal grandfather who raised me was a 28-year vet, having served in the Army Air Corps and the USAF. I knew, however, at age 14 that military service and the responsibilities and privileges thereof would not be mine, thanks to a disabling condition. Were it not for the disability, being open about my identity as a Gay man would have precluded military, in spite of intellect and physicality.My current employment surrounds me with former military personnel and current military logistical and systems needs. I see as much scorn for lifelong civilians as the writer sees distrust and dislike of military. I ascribe it to "occupational bigotry" built on echo-chamber conditions and the human capacity for remembering only the bad, similar to my intense dislike of lobbyists and lawyers as a native of the DC area. .
Posted Monday May 25, 2009 by Guest;
A very important point here---diversity is, above all, about that exactly---diversity---and is not just to be honored in regards to specific groups or issues. I have an unrelated diversity story that nevertheless illustrates the same point:I worked for a national organization headquartered in San Francisco, which had dozens of field offices across the US. Its leadership---board and upper management---was decidedly left of center, as one would expect from the Bay Area, which was fine by me, personally.A few years after I had been there, we implemented a diversity program to deal with our lack of racial and ethnic diversity on staff, and hired a consultant, who, as consultants do, conducted a survey of existing conditions.She found that many of the employees who worked in our southwest, midwest and southeast offices felt alienated from the mainstream culture of the organization because they perceived a bias against people who were religious, politically conservative and socially reserved. It was something that none of us working in the Bay Area or in other typically "liberal" coastal urban communities ever considered.Granted, these folks were not part of a historically disadvantaged group, but the point is that diversity is about embracing all differences and learning to work with them effectively, maybe even learn something from them!.
Posted Monday May 25, 2009 by Guest;
Thank you for speaking out.I'd always thought US military veterans were given extra privileges such as GI bills and other tax breaks because of their service to their country. I met a elderly widow last Sunday who pays only $500 yrly property assessment while living in an exclusive community (Los Altos CA) because she applied for tax reduction only accorded military veterans and their families. She received, deservedly so, many other benefits after her husband, a young career military officer died unexpectedly of a heart attack, leaving her w/ 2 young children to raise. Military families also bear the burden and reap the rewards of military service of their loved ones. We must also recognize that some discrimination can exist against those in the military culture..
Posted Monday May 25, 2009 by Guest;
Our company last year changed the nondiscrimination language from "veteran status" to "military status" so as to include current and former members of the military in the language. We also have recently formed a Resource Group for military affiliated employees, their family members and friends.One mission of this Resource Group is to educate managers, Human Resources and other employees about how to be supportive colleagues to people who have military affiliation or family members who do. Perhaps Anonymous might suggest to her/his company that such a resource group is needed. If the company is in Diversity Inc.'s top companies it probably has other resource groups already. .
Posted Monday May 25, 2009 by Guest;
As a veteran myself, i can sympathize. Sometimes there are negative reactions. But I think the net effect of military background is by far positive. I think it's best to handle this on a case by case basis rather than categorizing.If veterans want to be treated equally, we'll need to correct people when they praise us as individuals due to their "bias" to military hard work, discipline, ethics, and service. (not to mention preferential hiring in government) .
Posted Monday May 25, 2009 by Guest;
More like 25 years of feeding at the public trough. All kinds of benefits for a bunch of make work and empire guarding. Nice try. Enjoy your retirement checks courtesy of the taxpayers..
Posted Tuesday May 26, 2009 by Guest;
I experienced issues while applying for Federal employment after serving 12 years in the military...seems my experience in the Army did not qualify me for a federal position. Very curious. Somehow, I could train and be responsible for 100+ personnel in the Army but not in the federal workplace? .
Posted Tuesday May 26, 2009 by Guest;
Thank you to Mr. Pollack for proving the point of the original E-Mail author, there is deiscrimination towards the military. What a bigoted response by Mr. Pollack lumping all of the members of the military into his narrow view. I assume he also feels all Asians are good at math, all Muslims are islamic facists etc. etc. Have a nice Memorial Day, James and enjoy the video game sale at Macy's..
Posted Tuesday May 26, 2009 by Guest;
Although affirmative action and other initiatives were established to ensure service members were treated fairly, there is a misconception that those who served do not have the same skill set as others. There is also a misconception that military members are not very educated and that too is wrong. Many Diversity programs have overlooked the military and most corporate recruiters don't understand how the military occupations cross over to civilian jobs. Lots to learn as it related to ensuring veterans are an intregal part of the workplace. .
Posted Tuesday May 26, 2009 by Guest;
Wow, you hit the nail on the head. I work for a public employer who was so over the top when I deployed that I had to go to the governors office to have this agency recognize their own laws. There is much negativity surrounding military service, and yes, the lack of ability alot of leaders have to see the benefits of our service impacts our employment potential. This is probably very similary to the treatment other minorities receive from ignorant people. The difference is that we are volunteering to shed our blood for the freedoms everyone enjoys. Perhaps we are too far removed from our own struggles as a nation to appreciate this fact. As the percentage of Veterans decreases, I think those of us that currently serve make up less than one percent of the population, the need for advocacy and inclusion in diversity training will only increase. I think in alot of ways the public can learn something from our well traveled, all volunteer military, about working with other cultures. I agree with the statements made that military service transends race and that diversity should not be considered the same as ethnicity. Any people who cannot grasp these facts are in need of some education. .
Posted Wednesday May 27, 2009 by Guest;
Thank you for this email train. I have had several bosses criticize my military experience making it sound as if we are brainless robots just following orders. My communication style was criticized as being too direct. I was criticized for speaking my mind. Saying "sir" and "ma'am" are basic signs of courtesy and respect, especially for those of us who grew up in the South. Unfortunately, this was only part of the discrimination I experienced. As a Black, female, former USAF officer, many European civilians are not capable of understanding, acknowledging or accepting the experience I bring with several years of military experience from around the world. It is sad. Very sad, indeed..
Posted Wednesday May 27, 2009 by Guest;
Hi there,The company I work for has an incredible regard for and policy to support our members who are in the military. If a reservist gets called up, my company continues the reservists pay for up to 2 years and guarantees a position when s/he returns. In addition, we have employee resource networks that have focused on traditional race, gender, sexual orientation groups, but we also have a group that we just started for military servicemembers and another one for diverse abilities... which, due to the misfortunes of war, may also help our returning soldiers.As the wife of a Desert Storm veteran, I completely understand that there is definite bias from some people towards people with military backgrounds. I think it is sadly ironic because our military is the most successful example I know of a real meritocracy... referencing an article I read here on DiversityInc in the last year or two.Anonymous is not alone and there are people who care and are trying to raise veterans issues in diversity circles .
Posted Wednesday May 27, 2009 by Guest;
I have never served my country, however I have witnessed what the author of the article described first hand. By saying that, I mean I have seen how the author was treated in the workplace. He is spot on in his description and I am glad he has this forum to air his opinions. I found it offensive how those who served our country were treated or labeled especially when in many cases those individuals where the most competent and professionally I have ever worked with. .
Posted Wednesday May 27, 2009 by Guest;
I work for a public employer, and can relate to this entirely. I have deployed three times to this conflict and unfortunately the negative bias that exists protrudes into the employment scene. The saddest part is that public employers (local state and federal government) are by far the worst offenders. There are numerous private industry folks going well above and beyond (I am an AF guy I couldnt resist)for their military, and with respect to hiring Veterans. We do make up a distinct culture, all races, many generations,but a similar calling, core value, and belief system. The thing that separates us from other minority groups is what we are willing to sacrifice for people we dont even know. There is no comparison. Education is key, inclusion in diversity training is a must, and protection from HR is essential. In my state we have a 69 percent unemployment rate for younger returning Veterans, what other demographic would that be considered acceptable? Most of us in the reserve know the challenges of balancing two careers, we have been challenged with real leadership. In my reserve job, I am an OIC of a department that is larger than my civilian director's department, yet my publc employer cannot relate to my experiences.Education is the way to end this disparity, and this is a good first step. .
Posted Wednesday May 27, 2009 by Guest;
James, I find it sad, in a diversity forum to display such disregard for service. You proved this gentleman's point, and picked the perfect day to do so: Memorial Day. I choose to take that day to honor people I know who have paid the ultimate price for you to sit at your computer and demean their service. Have a great Memorial Day James, from another Vet, who has proudly fed at the trough for 20 years and counting!One other point, I think someone indicated that we had Affirmative Action so that military members are treated better. Actually, I have never worked for a company that included Veterans in it's affirmative action plan. Perhaps at one time it wasnt necessary because with my grandfather's generation you could throw a rock and it would land on a Vet in the workplace, now it seems you would have to throw a truckload to hit one .
Posted Friday May 29, 2009 by Guest;
As someone who served in the US Army nothing is further from the truth than the media promoted image of "thoughtless drones" who follow any and all orders without question. The fact of the matter is history is full of examples where soldiers have questioned the orders of superiors when they felt the orders received were "unlawful" of simply foolhardy. It might surprise those who have never served to know that when a soldier, sailor, airman or marine is in basic training they are taught that under the Uniform Code of Military Justice they are expected to not follow orders that are unlawful. This is the difference between a professional military and an armed mob!.

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