Rise to Command

An intimate view of the triumphs and challenges experienced by Black officers in the twentieth century.

Rise to Command is a social history told in the words of seventeen Black military officers who grew up in the Jim Crow era and served in the US military. The officers speak candidly about their careers and struggles and the important lessons they learned from their communities, which helped them succeed.

Black Americans in the armed forces fought on two fronts: one against America’s external adversaries on the battlefield, and the other against racial discrimination and segregation within military culture and American society. The officers discuss living through segregation, the civil rights movement, and the Black Power movement. These torchbearers speak frankly about the racially biased officer evaluation system, gender discrimination, and how they survived and thrived despite systemic obstacles.

Rise to Command examines the evolution of policies and cultural dynamics within the US military, with a critical focus on the complexities of racial integration and equity. It not only traces the history of change but also underscores the persistent challenges that continue to shape the experiences of service members. Through the memories of Black officers, Rise to Command provides a vital perspective on the struggle for inclusivity and justice within one of America’s most enduring institutions.

The many perspectives from across the wars of the twentieth century highlight the progress these soldiers fought for—from total segregation during World War II to the deployment of America’s first racially integrated military force during the Vietnam War. Although these officers may not have known it, they were blazing the trail for the next generation of Black Americans, in and out of military service.

Isaac W. Hampton II is a historian for the United States Army. He is a US Army veteran and the author of The Black Officer Corps: A History of Black Military Advancement from Integration through Vietnam.