"[315]

African-Americans in the armed forces
World War I draft card, the lower left corner to be removed by men of African background to help keep the military segregated
Further information: Racial segregation in the United States Armed Forces
While segregation had been present in the Army prior to Wilson, its severity increased significantly under his election. During Wilson's first term, the Army and Navy refused to commission new black officers.[316] Black officers already serving experienced increased discrimination and were often forced out or discharged on dubious grounds.[317] Following the entry of the U.S. into World War I, the War Department drafted hundreds of thousands of black people into the Army, and draftees were paid equally regardless of race. Commissioning of African-Americans officers resumed but units remained segregated and most all-black units were led by white officers.[318][page needed]
Unlike the Army, the U.S. Navy was never formally segregated. Following Wilson's appointment of Josephus Daniels as Secretary of the Navy, a system of Jim Crow was swiftly implemented; with ships, training facilities, restrooms, and cafeterias all becoming segregated.