Is the Military Colorblind? Here is My Perspective

The post going around stating the military is colorblind I find to be a complicated statement. First, the post tells of the colors of people who serve side by side, which demonstrates color is noticed. Second, the post states it doesn’t matter. I understand the concept behind thinking the military is colorblind. Individuals from different backgrounds receive the same training and live a common ethos, for a common cause. Trusting and leaning on your brother or sister in arms is necessary because, depending on the circumstances, it could be a matter of life or death.

I attended the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) in 1999. DEOMI was established in 1971 to address race relations after the non-violent and violent disorders in the 1960s. It has since extended its focus for equal opportunity employment, equal opportunity, human relations, and diversity. The training I received qualified me as an Equal Opportunity Advisor and a Diversity Trainer for the military. My experience with colorblindness goes like this: I have sat on boards to reflect minority representation. I’ve been called a trifecta-black, female officer. I’ve been mistaken as the black female who worked in the mailroom when I have never worked in the mailroom. When I became a warrant officer, I was mistaken as the other black female officer (commissioned not warrant) who had just returned to the state after a tour at the National Guard Bureau. The strange thing about this is my name is on my uniform. That tells me the only thing that was seen is the color of my skin –– not my facial features, not my rank, not my name. Black. Female. Those are only a few instances where colorblindness did not apply to me.

If we are colorblind, why don’t we hear more about the contributions of people of color in the military instead of waiting for their “designated month” of awareness? Why aren’t we more aware of Soldiers like the one my husband, posted on D-Day –– SSGT Waverly Woodson Barrage Balloon Battalion. We don’t hear much about Pvt Jose B. Nisperos, who became the first Asian/Pacific American to be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on Sept 24, 1911. Or the 442nd RCT Japanese-American Soldiers, known as the Nisei, who saved the 141st Inf reg 36th div, trapped behind enemy lines. Or Charles Shay, a Penobscot Tribal Elder, and D-Day medic. Also, the fact that 44,000 Native Americans and 500,000 Mexican-Americans served in WWII. 

To say the military is colorblind, I can’t say is a completely accurate statement. Yes, we served under a common ethos, but I’m not sure how many other soldiers (female) were gigged because she had a hard time finding stockings to wear with her skirt because nude didn’t apply to her. If Walgreens was out of coffee stockings (I’m dating myself here), I had to go with off black and explain to my squad leader why. I would rather hear that all our different races, ethnicities, experiences, and backgrounds are of value. Because of those differences, not in spite of, we found a way to work together under a common ethos for something greater than ourselves. The great thing about that is, along the way, we found long-lasting friendships and sometimes life-long friendships.

SSGT Waverly Woodson
Photo: https://www.armytimes.com/2019/07/03/

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Robrenna Redl is a real, raw, no-filters, kind of girl. She went from an army brat to a military veteran. A wife to Troy and mom of two young adults, she has served in women’s, children’s, and middle school ministries. Robrenna is the friend you call to walk alongside you in hard, painful places of life as well as the joyful ones. She is a volunteer for the anti-sex-trafficking organization I’ve Got A Name and an apprentice facilitator for the Trauma Healing Institute. Her passions include mocha coffee, dark chocolate, time with family and friends, and showing God’s love, mercy, and grace to others.