How many racial categories/classifications are recognized by the Army?

The Army recognizes five racial categories or classifications. This classification system is designed to accurately reflect the demographic diversity within the military population. The common categories include White, Black or African American, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.

Recognizing these five categories helps the Army ensure compliance with equal opportunity policies and promotes a thorough understanding of the diverse backgrounds represented in its ranks. This classification system is significant for various operational, administrative, and support functions within the military, including recruiting, reporting, and addressing equal opportunity concerns.

Understanding the correct number of categories helps to reinforce the Army’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as its efforts to implement policies that regard equal opportunity in all aspects of military life.