Pride, Progress, and Prospects: The Marine Corps' Efforts to Increase the Presence of African-American Officers (1970-1995) - NASA Astronaut Charles Bolden, President Truman

In today's Marine Corps, African-Americans constitute almost 10 percent of the officer corps. The fact that this was not always the case deserves explanation, as do the Marine Corps' efforts to remedy this deficiency. This monograph presents a straightforward and personalized account of the Corps' efforts during the last three decades to increase the presence of African-Americans within its officer ranks.

This narrative represents an account of the Marine Corps' efforts to increase the presence of African-Americans in its officer ranks during the period from 1970 to 1995. The word "presence" is used instead of the term "number" in the title of this effort because it transcends the singular focus of quantity. "Presence" underscores the relative importance of certain areas that contribute to the career progression of commissioned officers. Among those areas are accessions, military occupational specialties, assignments, and promotions.

The motivation for undertaking this account lies in two legendary Marines; one enlisted and the other an officer. They are Sergeant Major Edgar R. Huff, USMC, now deceased, and former Lieutenant Frederick C. Branch, USMC. Both are African-Americans of the Montford Point Marine legacy.

Chapter 1 * A Look at the Past * Soldiers of the Sea * Pride .. The Beginnings * Chapter 2 * The Efforts of the 1970s * Towards Progress—Solving the Problem * Department of Defense Interest * Looking for A Few Good Men and .. Women * A Change of the Guard * Passing the Word * Assessing the Results * Highlights of the Decade * Quality Begets Quality * Chapter 3 * The Efforts of The 1980s * Forging a Consensus * Department of the Navy Interest * Implementing New Strategies * Assessing the Results * Signs of Change Emerge * Chapter 4 * The Efforts of the 1990s * A Microcosm of Society * The Total Quality Approach * Enlightening the Leadership * Confronting a Crisis * Secretary of the Navy Interest * Employing New Approaches * Assessing the Results * Significant Accomplishments * Chapter 5 * Prospects * Enhancing the Prospects * Conclusion * Notes * Bibliography