Hispanics and Latinos in the Military Population

When it comes to serving our country, one takes great pride in it. However, serving in the military and being Latino, is a different kind of pride.

The military has been one of the most diverse institutions in the United States.

Hispanics are the fastest growing population in the military, making up about 16% of all active-duty military, according to the Department of Defense.

There are a total of 314,000 Hispanic and Latinos in active duty, and 1.3 million Hispanic and Latino veterans. They also have a long history of serving in the military.

The department of Defense estimated that over 9,000 fought in the Civil War, more than 4,000 served during World War I and more than 500,000 served during World War II.

Why do Hispanics and Latinos join the military?

An essential factor of reaching the growing Hispanic population is cultural relevancy. It is important to understand the link between Hispanics, and why their numbers in our military are increasing.

The Hispanic culture priorities family.

Many Hispanic men and women who join the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, or other military institutions do so because it directly enables them to protect and serve their families.

Knowing that their spouses, kids, or future kids are able to get their benefits from serving in the military is one of the main reasons why Hispanics join.

Another reason is education.

Many Hispanics come from low-income families, and sometimes joining the military is the only way to attend education for free or a certain discount.

Although the benefits are great, it is important to understand that not every veteran settles down in the civilian life.

According to a report by the Veterans Affairs, there is a 41% increase in suicide risk among Hispanics.

No matter the skin color, it is important for veterans to seek help and understand that there are people out there who are willing to listen.

If you are a veteran or know a veteran who is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 988 or click here.