A newly published U.S. Army regulation said until Friday that a service member could be referred to as a `` Negro '' when describing `` black or African American '' personnel . The Army confirmed Wednesday the language was contained in the October 22 `` Army Command Policy , '' known as regulation AR 600-20 . The regulation is periodically updated but the Army could not say how recently the word was added to the document . In a lengthy section of the document describing `` race and ethnic code definitions , '' the regulation stated under the category `` Black or African American '' that would include , `` A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa . Terms such as `` Haitian '' or `` Negro '' can be used in addition to `` Black '' or `` African American . '' The U.S. Army changed the regulation Friday and issued an apology `` to anyone we offended . '' The new policy states that `` Black or African-American '' are the only acceptable terms . The Army , along with the rest of the military , collects extensive demographic data on the makeup of the military force for issues such as equal opportunity and ensuring discrimination does not take place . One Army official familiar with the document said it 's possible the word was added so when forms are filled out , a black or African-American person could `` self report '' and choose to identify themselves as a Negro . But a military officer specializing in personnel issues for the Defense Department called that `` the dumbest thing I have ever heard , '' noting the Pentagon does not use the word in any of its extensive collection of demographic data . Lt. Col. S. Justin Platt , an Army spokesman , said the use of the word comes from an outdated section . `` The racial definitions in AR600-20 para . 6-2 are outdated , currently under review , and will be updated shortly , '' he said on Wednesday . `` The Army takes pride in sustaining a culture where all personnel are treated with dignity and respect and not discriminated against based on race , color , religion , gender and national origin . ''
Regulation says `` Negro '' OK to describe `` black or African American '' It 's unclear when the word was added . Army official says the regulation will be reviewed .