b'Service members assigned to a Defense Department medical response team wave to a large crowd as they march in the Veterans Day Parade. Photo By: Army Sgt. Yesenia BarajasDiversity, Equity, Inclusion Are Necessities In U.S. Militarywww.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/2929658/diversity-equity-inclusion-are-necessities-in-us-military/Story by Jim Garamone DOD News, Feb. 9, 2022Diversity, equity and inclusion in the military are necessitiesto whats actually happening here. What is the problem? And for the United States, Bishop Garrison, the senior advisor tohow can we address it?the secretary of defense for human capital and diversity, equityGarrison said the need for diversity, equity and inclusion to and inclusion said. be a consideration or a part of all decisions in the military.Garrison spoke to the Center for a New American SecurityService members walk down a street and wave to a crowd today about the progress being made by the department andgathered on the sidewalk.what still needs to happen. I would hope that as many leaders and members of theSome 41 percent of the military identify as members oftotal force as possible see (diversity, equity and inclusion) minority groups, and that number will grow larger, Garrisonefforts as a force multiplier, he said. He wants them to seesaid. The military must be able to attract, train and retain themthe program as a way to make the U.S. military morefor the services to retain competitive edges, he said. successful in achieving critical missions and in makingBishop Garrison, the senior advisor to the secretary of defenseforces more lethal.for human capital and diversity, equity and inclusion Bringing in more talented infantry personnel or military Fewer Americans between the ages of 18 to 24the primeintelligence analysts is the goal for any program, he said. When ages for recruitsqualify for military service. So, we have tothe military gets recruits from diverse backgrounds, there will be more innovative thought, more innovative solutions to find out ways of getting to a broader talent pool and broaderincredibly complex and complicated problems that are facing interest groups in order to bring those highly qualified, talentedthe national security apparatus today, he said. I want people individuals in, he said. to see [diversity, equity and inclusion] as another tool in the He noted that the percentage of minorities drops as they risetoolkit and another way of solving these problems.up the ranks. Their numbers tend to begin to decline in termsIts not just something that has to be done because ofof service; they tend to get out, and there could be a variety ofsome type of cultural ideology or culture wars that are going reasons as to why that actually is, he said. We need to takeonthats not the case at all. It is, again, not diversity for a very data-driven approach to get a better understanding asdiversitys sake, Garrison said.J18 Military Appreciation Resource Magazine Thank You For Your Service'