WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Pentagon officials are worried about the lack of diversity in elite fighting units, where leadership positions are currently dominated by white officers, USA Today reported on Thursday.
“[US Special Forces] certainly would benefit from having more Arab Americans with good Arabic skills.”
However, Johnson argued that race does not play a factor in the selection process for elite combat units.
“You either have the skills or you don’t. Very simple.”
The problem, Johnson explained, is few minorities apply to join these elite forces.
Only about 2 percent of African-Americans are part of the 2,242 member elite Navy SEAL force.
Meanwhile, of 1,494 Army Green Berets 85 percent are white, while 4.5 percent are African-American.
