Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Sends Letter Requesting that the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Conduct an Internal Review Regarding Latino Diversity

Washington, D.C. - The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) sent a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall requesting an internal review to identify barriers holding Latino officers from rising to the senior ranks of general officer. The CHC also requests that the Department of the Air Force (DAF) provide recommendations and action steps to address identified Latino disparities in the DAF.

The letter can be found here. Members issued the following statements:

"We must tackle the systemic challenges that impact Latino Representation in the Air Force. By studying the factors that contribute to low numbers of Hispanics in leadership ranks, we will pave a path toward a more diverse and inclusive military that can confront the unprecedented challenges facing our nation at home and abroad," said Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz.

"Latinos represent 17% of active-duty service members in the U.S. military, and as we recently recognized Veterans Day, we honor the service of those who have worn our nation's uniform with honor, patriotism, and bravery to defend Democracy here at home and around the world," said Rep. Adriano Espaillat, CHC Vice Chair of Diversity and Inclusion. "There are currently more than eight million Latino veterans, yet the numbers are dismal when considering the level of representation in leadership roles, particularly within the U.S. Air Force. We are calling for in-depth internal review to identify and dismantle barriers preventing Latino service members from rising to leadership positions. We owe it to the next generation of Latino service members to ensure they have a fair and equal opportunity to represent the nation at all levels of the U.S. military, including senior leadership roles within the Armed Forces."

"Latinos, like many minorities, face overwhelming systemic barriers on their way to leadership positions in the workforce," said Rep. Sylvia Garcia, CHC Whip. "As a Member who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, I'm deeply saddened Latinos are also underrepresented in senior ranks across the Air Force and Armed Forces. The U.S. Military must reflect our nation's increasing diversity – especially in key leadership positions. I'm proud to join my colleagues in urging Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to conduct a study to identify existing barriers. This will help Congress develop and pass appropriate legislation to address underrepresentation in our nation's military."

"As a veteran of the Marine Corps, I know firsthand the value of diversity in our ranks and in the leadership of our military. Our Armed Forces bring together people from all backgrounds to make cohesive and effective units to guard our nation and its interests. But that cohesion is threatened if our ranks and hierarches do not reflect the nation that they defend," said Rep. Salud Carbajal. "Eliminating inequities of opportunity and representation in our Air Force and other branches will help ensure that every servicemember knows that their unit, their branch, and their country has their back when embarking on missions to protect our nation and its citizens."

"Hispanic servicemembers are invaluable to our armed forces," said Rep. Veronica Escobar. "Yet the fact that they only make up 2.6% of leadership in the U.S. Air Force is extremely disappointing. As we wait to review the data from the military's FY22 NDAA study on Hispanic servicemembers and how each branch promotes Hispanic officers, we must evaluate why our efforts to increase diversity have not demonstrated results so far. I'm proud to join my CHC colleagues in calling for recommendations and actionable steps to implement to address these disparities."

"America deserves an Air Force that reflects the rich diversity of the country it serves," said Rep. Ruben Gallego. "The Department of Defense has made progress in the last several years, but there is still a lot of work to do. I'm proud to join my colleagues today to call for greater Hispanic representation in the senior officer ranks of the Air Force, and I am looking forward to hearing back from Secretary Kendall on his plan to address the barriers preventing Latino servicemembers from rising in the ranks."

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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.