Why Don't Minorities Join Special Operations Forces?

Abstract

Following the Cold War, regional instability and lower-level conflict have increased, bringing with them enhanced roles and responsibilities for the U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF). As a result, ensuring and maintaining the personnel readiness of the SOF is critical. One of the major issues facing SOF is recruiting and ensuring ethnic diversity among its members. This study examines the racial and ethnic composition of SOF operators, and the barriers that stand in the way of recruiting minorities. It identifies both structural and perceptual barriers to minority participation and also examines the question of minorities' lack of interest in SOF as a career. Its methodology and findings should be of interest to other agencies and firms dealing with issues of minority representation.