Abstract

In this issue of the Southern Medical Journal, Brewster reminds us of some of the similarities between the Pentagon’s new approach to diversity and that of academic medicine.¹ Instead of using “traditional” definitions of diversity, the Pentagon has taken a comprehensive approach. Rather than being defined by the limited number of traditional categories, diversity encompasses dimensions such as sexual orientation, politics, regional factors, and living conditions. For the Pentagon, the approach has meant that some soldiers overseas have similar religious and cultural backgrounds to the people in the countries in which they are serving and female sailors are serving in submarines. Even with reservations about “boots on the ground” in Iraq or women in frontline combat, many people would probably agree those are good things.