In a lengthy section of the document describing “race and ethnic code definitions,” the regulation states under the category “Black or African American” that would include, “A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. Terms such as “Haitian” or “Negro” can be used in addition to “Black” or “African American”.
The Army, along with the rest of the military, collects extensive demographic data on the makeup of the military force for issues such as equal opportunity and ensuring discrimination does not take place.
One Army official familiar with the document said it’s possible the word was added so when forms are filled out, a black or African-American person could “self report” and choose to identify themselves as a Negro. But a military officer specializing in personnel issues for the Defense Department called that “the dumbest thing I have ever heard,” noting the Pentagon does not use the word in any of its extensive collection of demographic data.
CNN is awaiting a formal response from the Army regarding the matter and why the word is part of Army regulations.
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