NORFOLK – The U.S. Navy’s stepping up efforts to recruit and retain minority sailors so its force reflects the face of America.

"When the nation looks at the Navy, it should see itself reflected back,” said Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead.

His new diversity police seeks to increase the number of women and minorities in senior officer and senior enlisted jobs.

Adm. Roughead was in Hampton Roads Friday to speak to the Association of Naval Services Officers, which advocates increased opportunities for Hispanic-Americans in the military and civilian ranks.

The CNO calls diversity “a necessity to remain a competitive, relevant and strong global force for peace.”

Video: Navy pushing for more diversity in its ranks

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Sailors in the audience appreciate the message.

“That’s what we need people to understand.  We are all Americans. You can be orange, purple, white, black, Hispanic, whatever you are, but you are an American,” said YN3 YHonnier Montoya.

Senior Chief Ray Martinez says the service has come a long way already.

“When I first came in, we really didn’t have, I really didn’t see, as a diverse service,”

"It’s important to me because it’s inspiring to see the senior officers in the Hisptanic community, Asian community, African-American community in those higher leverls. It’s inspiring to all junior sailors,” adds IT1 Taysha Colon.

Across all branches of the U.S. military, the numbers are (enlisted and officer ranks):

White – 66%; Black – 20%; Hispanic - 7.5 %, Asian/Pacific Island – 3.5%, American Indian - .9%;