ARLINGTON, Va. - Continuing to build a diverse force is one of the most important aspects within the National Guard, key Guard leaders said Wednesday at the Guard's Joint Diversity Executive Council planning meeting at the Army National Guard Readiness Center here.
"I am very interested in improving the diversity of the National Guard, from my level all the way down," said Army Gen. Frank J. Grass, chief, National Guard Bureau. "I've learned over the years that you've got to work at it. It's not something that you can just say 'Do this' and it's going to happen."
And the Guard has been recognized for its commitment to diversity on numerous occasions, most recently with an award from the Federal Asian-Pacific-American Council.
"The National Guard team was recognized…for its outstanding support and leadership in promoting diversity among the ranks," said Air Force Brig. Gen. Jim C. Chow, special assistant to the director, Air National Guard, who accepted the award on behalf of the Guard.
And promoting diversity within the ranks has continued, with emphasis placed on growing a diverse group of leaders at all levels.
"I think we have to show it at the top levels," said Grass. "I think the (adjutants general) have to show that we are looking for a mix of qualified people to pick from. Our leadership has to look like our nation and that percolates all the way down to the unit level."
A diverse groups of leaders is one way to grow diversity at lower levels, something Grass said he learned as commander of an engineer battalion.
"I learned this from a private first class in my engineer battalion years ago when I was trying to get more women in the engineer battalion," said Grass. "She said 'Where are your leaders?' This was a private first class that told me this. I looked around and of course all of my platoon leaders, all my company commanders, the whole battalion staff were all male."
One of the key takeaways from that private first class, said Grass, was that it needed to be apparent that diverse groups had the opportunity for advancement.
"She said 'You have to show us that we have the same opportunities that the males have in this unit and you'll see people start to come in.' And, of course, today, that unit has changed in the way they look," said Grass.
But diversity also includes diversity of military background, said Grass, referring to opening positions in combat arms roles for women.
"We're opening the Guard," said Grass. "We have nine brigades…where we're opening up combat skills to women."
In the end, it's the ability to do the job that counts.
"Look at Sgt. (Leigh Ann) Hester, who was awarded the Silver Star," said Grass. "She was right in the middle of combat and the worst combat you can be in—that on the ground level. She was a (military police officer) and it didn't make any difference whether she was an MP or in the infantry."
But ensuring a diverse group requires planning and a concerted effort.
"You can't just let the system go to itself," said Grass. "You've got to push for it."
And that means providing mentorship along the way that encourages diversity.
"It's not giving one person preferential treatment over another," said Grass, adding that the Guard, through all ranks, should reflect the make up of the nation.
"What are the demographics of the nation? Our leadership should look like that all the way down through and we all gain from such great cultural diversity," he said. "That's what our nation is about."