JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Approximately 30 equal opportunity professionals from around Air Combat Command gathered for an EO career-field conference July 30 – Aug. 3, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
The EO career field typically holds conferences every two years, but the one held at JBLE was an off year, with the intent of providing a targeted educational opportunity for newer career field leaders.
“We talk about core competencies, dispute resolution, EO processing, military equal opportunity complaint processing and professional development blocks of instruction,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Melinda Morris, 633rd Air Base Wing Equal Opportunity superintendent. “This [off-year] training was experimental because a lot of our command has four years or less experience in equal opportunity, so we wanted to develop their potential and make them feel more comfortable.”
Much of that potential stems from a strategic understanding of EO practices, said Morris said.
“The first day we had our Air Force leadership and career field manager, so it was a strategic look at where we’re going, the changes coming up, changes to our [Air Force Instructions], and the reasoning behind some of the decisions that have been made,” Morris said. “The second day we had equal opportunity processes for civilians and experimental breakouts.”
The two-day conference also sought to help EO specialists maintain and strengthen readiness by assisting Airmen and civilians develop conflict competencies, said Cyrus Salazar, Air Force EO director.
“EO is pivotal in strengthening alliances internally with DoD and [U.S. Air Force], however, EO is also developing alliances with local organizations such as the Chambers of Commerce, affinity groups, Federal Executive Boards, and pipeline organizations which focus on employment opportunities for the local population to capitalize upon,” Salazar said. “By developing these relationships, we reinforce the principle of being stronger together.”
Whether through far-reaching efforts or focused at a more localized level, Salazar said through such conferences, the EO career field has a direct impact on Air Force mission accomplishment.
“Overall, the value of the EO conference is unmatched as we discuss new priorities, challenges and how we will respond to policy requirements,” Salazar said. “The feedback we received from this conference indicated that these events are values added and help the EO career field remain relevant to the [Air Force] mission.”