Campbell i-Media

Written 2.9.2008

Although the relationship between African Americans and the U.S. military began in the 1700s, more than 58 percent of young blacks have decided not to enlist since 2000. What factors have caused this decline? The main reasons are the Iraq war, the Bush administration, and the belief that Black soldiers are forced to fill combat jobs.

However, for the 16 percent of us who have decided to join (myself included), we have found that the military is a stepping stone to leadership, discipline, excellence and higher education.

With such inspirations such as Cathy Williams, the first African American female Buffalo soldier in the Army and the "Golden Thirteen", the first black enlisted men to become officers in the Navy, we know that we ourselves have the opportunity to do something worthwhile.

When I joined the Navy back in April of 2006, I was clueless about the achievements that African Americans had contributed to the military as a whole. However, I did know that I wanted to get at least a master's degree in a critical skill. Furthermore, after visiting the Navy's Recruit Training Command (RTC) website, I learned that the Commanding Officer (CO) was Captain Annie B. Andrews, a black female. The Command Master Chief (CMDCM), April D. Beldo, was also a black female. That fact that that two black women were in positions of authority excited me. I then began to fantasize about the perfect Navy career: becoming an officer or a command master chief and making major accomplishments worthy enough for me to be written into history books.

Shortly after being discharged from active duty to the reserves in March of 2007, I was motivated to become an outstanding Hospital Corpsman (HM). I regretted not attending college first and then coming in as an officer so I knew obtaining a bachelor's degree was my top priority. Then as I searched for a civilian job, I became depressed and disappointed. I didn't have enough experience in the medical field. I didn't want to go back to fast food.

There were days I wondered why I even joined the military in the first place. I could be activated at any moment. My "weekend warrior" duties hardly provided me confidence in my abilities as a Navy Corpsman. After my vigorous boot camp and strict Naval Hospital Corps schooling, I felt myself reverting back to my timid self before I joined the military. No longer feeling a sense of pride in my decision, I experienced panic of being that lone medic in the unit who forgot all her medical training.

There had been instances where I felt like an idiot on active duty but this had been the worst of all. What could I possibly do to make the military for better for my fellow Sailors, particularly the young black women and men in uniform? I then wondered how many other young black Soldiers were just as confused about their role in today's military.

As retired Navy Commander Gregory Black has said, "A lot of us really don't understand what this war is about. All we know is we're fighting halfway around the world - people of color." What Black has said is true. The war in Iraq was started under false pretenses and now African American servicemembers, both young and old, have no idea what the purpose of the war is anymore. However, in this confusing time, black officers and senior enlisted personnel still have to lead and motivate younger and inexperienced Soldiers like me. We want to make a difference but have yet to find a way to accomplish that.

So what do we tell ourselves? We say, "Even though we have received unfair treatment in both the civilian sector and the military in our history as a people, we shall overcome. We will prove that we are more than three fifths of a person - we are a whole person capable of extraordinary acts that will dazzle the world and let our value be known. We too will make history like black servicemen before us. We will keep our brilliant history alive."

The message within itself makes our decision to join the military worthwhile. Hopefully 2008 will allow us more opportunities to serve without confusion and doubt in the U.S. military. In the words of Frederick Douglass, "We are one, our cause is one, and we must help each other if we are to succeed."

Written 12.23.2007

I thought I was too timid to join the Navy. After watching movies such as "G.I. Jane" and "Men of Honor", I was convinced that I wasn't "alpha female in the military" material. I was too soft spoken and ultra -feminine. Besides, the uniforms weren't even cute enough for my sense of style! My idea of combat boots was leather stiletto boots. Those stiletto heels can be quite lethal if you use them properly! Don't get me started on the dress shoes! Flats? What happened to the heels? Not only that but I prefer mine without laces, thank you!

However, I was harassed by a recruiter. She was an African-American female, persistent on the fact that I could be an asset to her Army. She talked a good game, emphasizing all of the educational benefits, the training, the traveling and the money. My dad, who is a dental technician in the Army, gave me the overview a couple of years ago. However, no matter how she tried to paint an intriguing picture of a black female servicewoman in the Army, I resisted. I saw through the glamorous ploy she perfected to recruit me. I wanted to know about two words: body bags.

"So tell me about those body bags!" I said, matter-of-factly.

She stopped, clearly baffled. She had to know that I was mentally accessing and critiquing what she said to be so far. She thought she had the answers but I needed HONEST answers to my questions. If she wanted to recruit me, she would have to play my game; my way!

She stopped by Charley's Steakery in the Fort Leavenworth food court on her lunch break. Again, she asked me if I had thought about joining yet. I became quite ticked off because I had been slaving over a searing grill, cooking Philly steak sandwiches and other items off the menu. Not only was the pouring sweat irritating my forehead but it was also burning my corneas. In fact, I was sweating profusely. I hardly noticed it though because I was bringing my A-game on that grill! I was the second best cook at Charley's and I hated when people bothered me. I was addicted to cooking. I didn't want to think about the Army and what I would have to endure. I had ravenous customers waiting on me and I was going to deliver.

"I noticed that you hardly mentioned Iraq. I know there's a war going on! I don't know what we're fighting for but I know I have no business going over there! I don't want to go to Iraq and come home in pieces in a body bag!" I emphasized the last four words with a swipe and a clank of my cleaver.

Of course, she tried to calm me down but I was furious! I hated when people tried to pull the wool over my eyes, especially with the military! Not only that, but she had another soldier with her! The soldier backed up everything that the recruiter said and even told me how she was graduating with a master's in business administration, which was paid for through the Army. I was happy for her but I still wasn't sold.

This army of one wasn't enlisting as a Soldier.

It was the phone call from a Navy recruiter that changed my mind though.

From what I knew, my relatives enlisted in the Army and Marines. I didn't hear about any Navy or Air Force affiliations. I thought the Army and Marines were, for lack of a better word, fanatical. The Air Force, based on what I heard, was civilians in uniforms. My opinions on the Navy? I didn't have any. For starters, I couldn't swim. I didn't find living on a ship with a multitude of people appealing. The Navy seemed like a real life version of Battleship!

There was no playing "You sunk my Battleship!" for me! However, I was intrigued by the "Accelerate Your Life" bit. That could work if I played the game right.

The Navy was more than ships, "G.I. Jane", "Men of Honor" and my favorite, "Down Periscope!" Blessed with the gift of gab, my recruiter painted an exotic picture of what the Navy could do for me and in turn, what I could do for the Navy. He mentioned how easier it would be for me to become an officer as a reservist. Even if I was stationed to a ship, I could still continue with my education because there would be instructors on-board. I was sure to let him know that I wanted to get my master's degree in a critical skill. At the time, my passion was psychology. I love head games! Now my passion is a combination of pre-nursing sprinkled with cosmetic dermatology.

Anyway, he mentioned so many programs that would benefit me in terms of leadership and salary. I'm high -maintenance so money is an essential part of my lifestyle. Now, don't get it twisted; not just anyone's money will do. My money through my merits is more appealing than being a golddigger!

Then there was the part about traveling overseas. He shared a story of how he was able to buy each member of his family a gift from a different country. I immediately thought of exquisite Japanese kimonos, detailed Italian wishing wells, delicate Polish pottery and Czechoslovakian hurricane dolls. Then I thought about my mom's Valentino purse she picked up in Italy. There was so much shopping to do!

Fueling my interest even further, he mentioned that I qualified for a bonus: a whopping $20,000 for the reserve Hospital Corpsman (HM) rate. I stopped thinking at the moment. Of course, it wasn't tax-free and I would only receive about $15,000 but I didn't care. There were so many "smart" things to accomplish! I was sold, sold, SOLD!

However, why the Navy? It was another service doing basically the same mission as the Army but in a different route of transportation and different sets of uniforms. I would train to go overseas and take care of my fellow Sailors and Marines.

Yes, it's true! The Navy has more uniforms for women to choose from: dungarees, digital camis, winter working blues, summer working whites and dress uniforms. I love rocking my black Coach handbag with my beret and my black pumps!

I guess I chose the Navy because it seemed like a fascinating change of pace. The saying "Spending like Sailors on leave", although trivial, described me perfectly. However, it was so much more than the shopping and the money. It was the experience.

At first, I wanted this to be a personal blog. Now, not so much.

If you didn't already know, I love writing. I may not be the best at it but I do consider it to be one of strengths. Now, after celebrating my first blog anniversary, I have decided that I want to develop my writing skills. I'm currently majoring in pre-respiratory-therapy and pre-nursing. However, I've decided to major in either journalism or creative writing. Anything dealing with writing is truly my passion.

So welcome to Campbell iMedia, a place for me to get feedback and such from all of you...hopefully. :)