Do you get enough EO training?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 20:53:26 -0500

This stuff is a big deal in the civilian world. Maybe in ours it's too much or too little right now. What do you think?

How would you describe the current emphasis on our military's Equal Opportunity program? What sort of things should stay the same? What needs to change?

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Mar 5 at 2023 9:30 PM

LTC Trent Klug — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 21:30:57 -0500

EO is just as hokey in the real world as it is in the military. And just as in the military, the only time people go to it is when they don't get a job or a promotion.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Mar 5 at 2023 9:55 PM

LTC Trent Klug — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 21:55:26 -0500

And yes, I treat everyone how I would want to be treated.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2023 10:55 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 22:55:49 -0500

EO certainly has a time and place. The issue at hand is the execution of EO. EO is only as good as the people that enforce it. Too many times I've seen people get put ahead of their peers based solely on specific aspects.

As for what needs to change...well, it starts with enforcing EO and actually holding those that violate EO accountable.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2023 12:49 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 12:49:50 -0500

I only hear about it if it's time for some annual training - just like SHARP. Although SHARP I only hear about it when it's time for training OR shit hit the fan in the media with something to do with sexual assault or sexual harassment. It churns in the media cycle for a bit and then falls off and no one cares until something bad happens again.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Mar 7 at 2023 8:59 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 08:59:13 -0500

I personally think EO gets overlooked, misused or under utilized at times because the DOD in general is fairly equal. I rarely saw individuals get bumped around for their race/color/creed etc. I'm not saying that DOD is immune to racism or cultural insensitivity but the Military is so much of a melting pot everyone embraces it for the most part. White, Black, Brown, red , blue and everything in-between just makes us more interesting.

The most I would see people go to EO is when they were trying to find a loophole to a policy or order. When you had engaged leadership who put thought about who they appoint EO it was a true force multiplier but a lot of the time you have a handful of billets they just force on people like SACO and the S4 Unit rep which becomes basically a game of enlisted leaders drawing straws.