Minority Upgrading and Mobility in the Navy and Marine Corps

The report analyzes the impact of upgrading and mobility practices and practices for minority personnel within the Navy and Marine Corps. Because the All Volunteer Forces concept has forced the military services to compete with private industry for manpower, the policies and practices of private industry in the area of minority manpower utilization may serve to provide insights and models for the resolution of the problems within the Navy and the Marine Corps. The nature of the problem is described as having both qualitative and quantitative aspects for the enlisted and officer ranks of both services. Several principal factors impacting on the processes of minority upgrading and mobility are identified and discussed in detail. These factors include the following: Standardized written examinations; selection and assignment for occupational training; criteria for promotion; and other environmental factors.