Editor’s Note: The Navy and Defense departments are aggressively pursuing ways to attract a diverse workforce capable of solving the complex national security concerns of the 21st century. The Secretary of the Navy has made recruiting for diversity of thought one of the key pillars of the DON Innovation Vision, see: http://navylive.dodlive.mil/files/2015/04/Module-1_v13_LoRes_3.pdf. In June, SECNAV announced Operation Hiring Solutions, issuing a memorandum for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) which directs the modernization of the Department of the Navy’s hiring process, see http://www.secnav.navy.mil/innovation/Documents/2015/06/CivilianHiringMemo.pdf .
Millennials, or America’s youth born between 1982 and 2000, now number 83.1 million and represent more than one quarter of the nation’s population. Their size exceeds that of the 75.4 million baby boomers, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates released June 25. Overall, millennials are more diverse than the generations that preceded them, with 44.2 percent being part of a minority race or ethnic group (that is, a group other than non-Hispanic, single-race white).
These latest population estimates examine changes among groups by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin nationally, as well as in all states and counties, between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2014.
Even more diverse than millennials are the youngest Americans: those younger than 5 years old. In 2014, this group became majority-minority for the first time, with 50.2 percent being part of a minority race or ethnic group.
Reflecting these younger age groups, the population as a whole has become more racially and ethnically diverse in just the last decade with the percentage minority climbing from 32.9 percent in 2004 to 37.9 percent in 2014.
Five states or equivalents were majority-minority: Hawaii (77.0 percent), the District of Columbia (64.2 percent), California (61.5 percent), New Mexico (61.1 percent) and Texas (56.5 percent). Among the remaining states, Nevada is the closest to crossing this threshold, with a population 48.5 percent minority.
More than 11 percent (364) of the nation’s 3,142 counties were majority-minority in 2014. Five reached this milestone during the year beginning July 1, 2013: Russell, Ala.; Newton, Ga.; Eddy, N.M.; Brazoria, Texas; and Suffolk city, Va.
For more highlights from the estimates, please go to the full release at - http://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-113.html
Recruiting for Diversity of Thought:
-- Share your ideas for recruiting and retaining the DON’s workforce on the DON/SECNAV DON/SECNAV Innovation website: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/innovation/.
-- OPM released the Recruitment, Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion Roadmap March 9. The REDI Roadmap is a comprehensive, data-driven strategy that utilizes all the tools available to agencies to help the federal government attract, develop, and retain a talented, engaged, and diverse workforce. To read the entire REDI Roadmap, please visit www.opm.gov/REDI. Attached you will also find an infographic that summarizes the REDI Roadmap.