Equal Opportunity: A first resource, not a last response

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Bradford Bowen
  • 23rd Wing Equal Opportunity
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga --  Since 1973, Equal Opportunity offices have provided Airmen with a wealth of information to help deal with issues of discrimination and sexual harassment.

Moody's EO office is a resource available to servicemembers, family members and retirees who believe they have experienced unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, and sex, to include sexual harassment. 

The members of the EO staff bring a wide variety of experience and a wealth of knowledge to the Moody community and provide services on a reoccurring basis. 

Jacqueline Hall is the EO director for the team. She retired from the Air Force and prior to joining the Moody team in 2007, she worked at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington D.C.
 
I am the NCO in-charge of EO, and prior to my assignment to Moody in 2007, I was assigned to Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. 

The third member of the EO team is Staff Sgt. Renee Gilliam, EO technician, and prior to her assignment to Moody in 2008, she was stationed at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. 

We are also assisted by collateral counselors, Lawanna Barron and Yvette Owens. These individuals operate as one team to keep the Moody community educated and provide a means to file informal and formal complaints. 

The EO office provides various human resource services such as alternate dispute resolution, help with agency referrals and technical guidance.

Equal Opportunity incidents are processed by our office and have strict U.S. Air Force, Headquarters reporting guidelines.

We conduct Unit Climate Assessments for commanders at all levels and semi-annual Wing Climate Assessments for the installation commander. 

Additionally, classes are provided to all military and civilian personnel in various human relations' subject matter. 

The EO staff provides briefings at the First Term Airman Center and Right Start Newcomers class. Upon request, we are also available to brief at Commander's Calls. 

Periodic "out and about" visits are also used to to do a quick assessment of the human relations environment and to ask unit members of the units about their daily experiences regarding morale, work load, communication, and anything that might be of concern to the squadron member.

The visits are designed to allow the unit member to meet the EO team members before they have a significant issue that requires the attention of the staff. This program takes away the fear factor and puts the unit members at ease.

Prior to an EO staff leaving the unit, they will out brief the unit first sergeant or the senior ranking member in regards to any problems observed or gathered, that needs to be addressed. 

The EO team members assist Moody units with organizing ethnic observances. We provide assistance to ensure the observance is educational as well as entertaining for the Moody community. 

Remember make the Moody EO team your first resource, not your last response. 

For more information, contact the Equal Opportunity office between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (229) 257-4730/5009/6798.