The Miami Herald

Hispanics over-represented in low military pay
grades

WASHINGTON -- (AP) -- Hispanics in both the uniformed military
and the civilian defense work force are disproportionately
represented in the lowest pay grades, with the fewest
responsibilities and opportunities, an advocacy group says.

While the U.S. military enjoys the reputation as one of the most
hospitable work forces for ethnic minorities in government, the
situation isn't as bright for Hispanics, Raul Yzaguirre, president
of the National Council of La Raza, said Wednesday.

``I'm very concerned that when the President launched his race
initiative, he applauded the nation's armed forces as having
gotten it right. But it might not have gotten it when it comes to
our community,'' said Yzaguirre, whose organization studied
Hispanics in defense work.

In 1996, Hispanics made up about 7 percent of active U.S. military
forces and 6.3 percent of the Defense Department's civilian
work force, but they represented more than 11 percent of the
nation's total civilian labor force.

Additionally, more than 41 percent of enlisted Hispanics were in
the lowest three pay grades, compared to 26 percent of blacks
and 30 percent of whites.

A Defense Department spokesman, Army Col. Richard Bridges,
said: ``We understand a lack of representation exists but we
have made some progress over the years. We will continue to
try and be as open an organization as possible and that goes for
all groups.''

Yzaguirre, a U.S. Air Force veteran, said that while military
service is voluntary, the problem isn't a lack of interest on the
part of Hispanics.

Hispanics want to join both military and civilian ranks but are
sometimes held back by low educational attainment and
citizenship requirements for civil service employment, he said.

Yzaguirre urged increased recruiting efforts and remedial
assistance for Hispanics who might not make the grade
educationally.

``We are not talking about lowering standards but
understanding that a high school diploma isn't the only
predictor of good performance,'' Yzaguirre said.

The current findings are especially troubling in light of high
Hispanic rates of military participation during the Vietnam War,
Yzaguirre said. About 25 percent of front-line casualties in
Vietnam were Hispanic at a time when Hispanics comprised
about 5 percent of the U.S. population, he said.