News>ANG director: Equal opportunity is critical downrange
Photos
Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III addresses Guard and Reserve graduates of the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute Equal Opportunity Adviser Reserve Component Program Feb. 4, 2011, at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. The EOARCP curriculum develops a base of knowledge and skills that allow graduates to assess human relations climates in their organizations and to provide advice and assistance to commanders to prevent, reduce, or eliminate discriminatory practices. Director of the Air National Guard,(Department of Defense Photo/Army Sergeant 1st Class Brian G. Rhodes)
by Bryan Ripple
Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute
2/10/2011 - PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- The importance of leadership in equal opportunity was highlighted in the Air National Guard director's message delivered to 87 National Guard and Reserve graduates of the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute's Equal Opportunity Adviser Reserve Component Program Feb. 4.
"Our service members in the National Guard and Reserve are indeed our most valuable asset," said Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III. "As leaders, we owe them our very best efforts, and it cannot be with closed minds that we undertake this endeavor.
"We cannot meet mission success without the expertise and dedication of our equal opportunity specialists and advisers," he said.
As part of their training and education, General Wyatt also mentioned that EO programs have made important contributions to all Department of Defense military members and civilians serving in an environment of dignity, equality and respect.
He further emphasized how new and evolving legislation may change to allow full equal opportunity for women, especially in combat.
Finally, General Wyatt challenged the new graduates to continue to perform all the critical tasks that would be expected of them at their home stations while deployed in theater as a personnel readiness force multiplier significantly helping move organizations toward a more diverse and inclusive environment.
"DEOMI graduates are the 'change agents' that help to educate people on the need -- the moral imperative -- to be equitable in our treatment of all people. Equal opportunity advisers recognize the responsibility to speak the truth in the face of adversity and injustice and are representatives of their commanders," the general said.
Comments
3/4/2011 9:43:06 AM ET I believe the Air Force needs to put more emphasis on the equal treatment of troops regardless of rank. The unfair treatment that lower rank Airman endure during their early years in the Air Force is what drives them not to re-enlist. Yelling out demands does not make anyone work harder. Fair treatment being spoke to as a person and equal treatment makes our troops feel wanted and that the actually belong here. That in return makes them work harder.
