Variation in the Effects of Different Types of Racial Incidents on Satisfaction with Military Service

摘要

This study examines the effect of different types of racial incidents on reported levels of satisfaction with military service, using data from the Armed Forces Equal Opportunity Survey, released in November 1999. Incidents perceived to affect promotion opportunities and/or obtaining career enhancing assignments have the greatest effect. Offensive encounters involving Department of Defense personnel and incidents involving family members also have significant adverse effects. The potentially negative effects are moderated significantly if individuals are satisfied with the investigative procedures. Unease with dealing with members of other groups and pressure to socialize with members of one's own racial/ethnic group adversely affect the equal opportunity climate in ways difficult to ameliorate through training activities. Efforts to diversity workplace demographics have modest positive effects. Confidence in a supervisor's fairness and commitment to creating a positive EO climate has a significant positive influence on satisfaction. In contrast to the summary information contained in the survey, racial/ethnic minorities generally express greater levels of satisfaction than Whites.