Latinos are fastest growing population in US military, but higher ranks remain out of reach

The USA TODAY Network series Hecho en USA, or made in America, covers the Latino community. Roughly 80% of all Latinos living in the USA are American citizens, but media coverage of Hispanics tends to focus on immigration and crime, instead of how Latino families live, work and learn in their hometowns. Hecho en USA tells the stories of the nation’s 59.9 million Latinos – a growing economic and cultural force, many of whom are born in the USA.

Carl Castro had learned the news months earlier, but it didn’t really hit him until he was driving into work one day: He was going to be a colonel.

That meant new privileges, as well as new responsibilities. Castro was excited to have generals listen to him and take his advice. As a psychologist in the military, he knew he would never be able to reach their rank, but at least he could influence their decisions to do what’s best for the soldiers and their families.

“The thing about being a colonel in the Army is that it allows you to make comments outside your lane and that’s accepted,” he said. “It’s generally not accepted at lower ranks in the organization.”

Castro is among a rare group of Latinos who have made it into the upper tiers of the U.S. military. Hispanics are the fastest growing population in the military, making up about 16% of all active-duty military, according to the Department of Defense. However, Latinos make up only 8% of the officer corps and 2% of general/flag officers, according to a 2019 report by the Congressional Research Service. A long history of racism and gender discrimination in the military, along with education and language barriers, are keeping Latinos from advancement, veterans and researchers said.

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