Are indians treated any different?

[Native_girl_17]

Hi i am new and i am an american indian about probally 1 yr ago i heard about a camp not this one but a boot camp beating a black boy to death, and someone told me that black people ain't any different then indians i want to join but i am afraid. what do i do?

[groundup]

"Everyone in the Army is green." I have always liked that saying because equal oppurtunity is a HUGE thing in the military. In the military's history, we have been the first to accept to people of all races. I have seen one problem with racism in the military. That problem was quickly taken care of - the person was dishonorably discharged from an upper ranking NCO to a Private and then kicked out. We don't take that kind of thing lightly.

[LRSU_Dog]

In the course of the last year there was an incident involving the death by beating of a young man in a civilian "boot camp" dentention and probation center. This was not a military base or training site.

It is important to understand that the military has nothing to do with incidents like thses, and it is unfortunate that the term "boot camp" has gotten such blanket usage. Basic Combat Training is where all incoming soldiers from all components of the Army go to get indoctrinated and trained to be soldiers.

This training is structured and regimented in such a way that a drill Sergeant or other instructor always knows what is going on even when you do not think so... However the military is a cross section of our society, and in Basic Combat Training everyone starts out equal in all apects... At the end of the day everyone shares only a few things without difference - they are Americans training to be Soldiers.

Issues of race color or creed are not emphasized, and the phrase "Everyone is Green" applies accross the board. Yes there are some people who chose to make this an issue - but trust in the eyes of the Army it is not.

Another thing to keep in mind, that in the history of the United States Army, Native Americans have made great contributions to all our battlefields from the 2 World Wars and on. With the National Guard you have an opportunity to meet the members of the unit you wish to join, which should help with your decision - as well learn from thier stories, that everyone is apprehensive about BCT.

In the end, the more you are able to learn about the units, people and jobs, the more you will understand that your fears of Basic Combat Training are unfounded.