Final answer:
Strategies to combat racism in the military include understanding and addressing inherent biases, replacing racist policies with antiracist ones, educational and advocacy efforts, promoting diversity, and enforcing non-discrimination policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Strategies to combat racism in the military encompass understanding and addressing racist ideologies and the biases they create. It involves identifying and replacing racist policies and practices with antiracist ones. Education campaigns, like those by the NAACP, that ended segregation practices such as distinguishing blood donations by race, serve as historical examples of effective strategies.
Moreover, advocacy for equality led to the integration of African American combat units such as the Tuskegee Airmen and the 761st Tank Battalion during World War II. Additionally, protests and community actions compelled changes, such as allowing black officers to command, although only at certain ranks. Executive Order 8802, issued by President Roosevelt, is another milestone in the fight against racism, prohibiting discrimination in defense industry hiring practices.
Real progress requires a multifaceted approach, including promoting diverse leadership, mandating equal opportunity, enforcing zero-tolerance policies against racism, and continuous education about racism's effects and history within military ranks. These efforts aim not only to integrate the military but also to establish it as an institution that respects and values the contributions of all servicemen and servicewomen, reflecting the society for which they serve.