Report says too many whites, men lead US military

WASHINGTON (AP) - Sent to the president and lawmakers on Monday, the report says that 77 percent of senior officers in the active duty military are white, while only 8 percent are black...

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new report says the U.S. military is too white and too male at the top and needs to change recruiting and promotion policies, including its ban on women in combat.

The report ordered in 2009 by Congress calls for greater diversity in military leadership so it will better reflect the racial, ethnic and gender mix in the armed forces and in American society.

Sent to the president and lawmakers on Monday, the report says that 77 percent of senior officers in the active duty military are white, while only 8 percent are black, 5 percent are Hispanic and 16 percent are women. One barrier that keeps women from the highest ranks is their inability to serve in combat units.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.

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