WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus issued an updated Department of the Navy Diversity and Inclusion Policy statement, Feb. 25, and met with several key military service organizations, veterans service organizations, and stakeholders at the Pentagon to discuss the topic.
The meeting was the first in a planned series of engagements during which Mabus will discuss Navy and Marine Corps issues with leaders in the civilian and military communities.
Mabus also released a short video underscoring the Navy and Marine Corps are stronger, more effective, and innovative when our workforce reflects the nation we serve.
"To recruit the people we need, to keep the people we need, we've got to draw from the biggest pool we can," Mabus said in the video released today. "The United States Navy and United States Marine Corps are the most formidable expeditionary fighting force the world has ever known. To keep that, we've got to reach out to the most diverse population we can to recruit and retain these top people."
The Department of the Navy last updated its Diversity and Inclusion Policy statement in 2010, and since then, the Department of Defense has made significant personnel policy changes including the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and rescinding the direct ground combat exclusion policy, which now allows women to serve in military occupational specialties that were previously closed to them.
"Our nation always faces new challenges and threats in an increasingly complex world," said Mabus as part of the updated statement. "Recruiting, retaining, and promoting top performers is a readiness imperative. Organizations that embrace myriad backgrounds and perspectives will attract the best talent and remain ready."
Mabus said the importance of having a workforce comprised of those who think differently, and have varied backgrounds cannot be overstated.
"We don't want everyone coming into the Navy or Marine Corps thinking exactly the same way," he said. "It's important that when such a small number of Americans are serving in uniform, that the force be representative of the people they're protecting. A more diverse force is a stronger force and we've proven that over and over and over again."
To view the Navy's Department of the Navy Diversity and Inclusion Policy statement and Secretary of the Navy Mabus' video, please visit: http://navylive.dodlive.mil/?p=35571
For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cnp/.