By Glenn Sircy, Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute
PATRICK SPACE FORCE BASE, Fla. – Clarence A. Johnson, director, Diversity Management Operations Center, and chair, Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) Board of Advisors (BOA), along with Navy Capt. Delmy M. Robinson, commandant of DEOMI, hosted the final DEOMI BOA meeting of 2021 virtually, Nov. 17.
As outlined in Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 1350.02, DoD Military Equal Opportunity Program, the DEOMI BOA is a forum for senior leaders to exchange information and collaborate on the adequacy of DEOMI staffing, resources, plans, and strategies influencing support of DoD requirements for diversity management, civilian Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Equal Opportunity programs.
In addition, the DEOMI BOA recommends efficiencies, allocation of resources, and coordinates military department, service-specific, and total force requirements for education, training and research.
Representatives from each of the services – active, Guard and Reserve – were invited to participate as DEOMI BOA principal members.
Johnson and Robinson welcomed the leaders and both relayed their sincerest appreciation for what BOA does each and every day.
“We, the DEOMI family onboard Patrick Space Force Base, thank you all – the incredible team of DoD and service leaders – for joining us this morning to exchange information, collaborate and focus combined efforts on the readiness and lethality of the total force,” commented Robinson. “I remain humbled and amazed by the progress and impact this institution, its people and Board of Advisors have made and continue to make throughout the DoD. Thank you again!”
Robinson then provided some of the top updates since the last BOA that included: DEOMI’s 50th Anniversary celebration; development of initial products supporting secretary of defense (SECDEF) immediate actions; transitioning to Canvas Learning Management System; five Equal Opportunity Advisor Virtual Courses, training 492 students; 20 counselor / mediation courses, training 553 students; and two Leadership Training Awareness Seminars (LTAS), training 236 students.
“I know there is still much to be done with various challenges ahead, or best viewed as – many opportunities ahead to excel,” added Robinson. “We are deeply passionate about our mission and we will carry on with our commitment to equal opportunity and equal employment opportunity training. And, we will embrace our future role in diversity and inclusion and cultural awareness training, all while performing every task with integrity and accountability, maintaining readiness at all times and committing all efforts to our force-multiplying mission.”
DEOMI’s Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Mike Faughnan, discussed future plans as the Defense Culture Institute and how its functions will better align with DoD policy, Defense Human Relations Activity Strategic Plan, Commandant’s Intent, and Center of Excellence goals. He also outlined DEOMI’s various mission requirements as outlined in the many attributed DoD instructions, strategies and initiatives.
DEOMI’s Education and Training Director, Brian Kelly, discussed the institution’s education and training initiatives which included how LTAS will be offered as two versions – virtual and mobile training team in Fiscal Year 2022 – to train senior leaders on key issues related to equal opportunity, equal employment opportunity, and culture impacting the DoD. He also discussed the development and delivery of the Equal Opportunity Advisor Course (EOAC) 2.0 model, and how it will gain efficiency in time while enhancing student capabilities; the proposed EOAC schedule; and service/component training requirements.
DEOMI’s Research and Development Director, Dr. Dan McDonald, shared the initiatives his team is working to include SECDEF immediate actions of combatting unconscious bias through education; and relevant, candid, and effective discussions.
The BOA principals then had open, candid discussions on collective priorities that also included potential concerns that will be more fully discussed and worked out.
Johnson and Robinson then offered their genuine gratefulness to all for their participation.
“It is truly incredible what we can and do accomplish when we all come together to focus on a common goal,” shared Robinson. “Collectively, our goal is to skillfully apply every opportunity, every technology and every resource to achieve maximum readiness within the DoD on behalf of the nation. With this united team of true superstars, I am confident that we are up for the challenge to not only meet, but to exceed, in developing and delivering innovative education, training, research and collaborative solutions to optimize total force readiness. Thank you all for your participation, guidance and efforts to build on our current capabilities and achieve fundamental change through improvements, enhancements, and prevention.”
The DEOMI team is an inclusive force that values and develops all individuals and thrives on their contributions. Since its inception in 1971, then known as the Defense Race Relations Institute, DEOMI has developed and delivered innovative education, training, research and collaborative solutions to approximately 52,000 DEOMI military and civilian graduates.
To learn more about DEOMI, please visit www.defenseculture.mil and www.facebook.com/DEOMI.DoD. DEOMI’s website provides a variety of tools, training products, and information to support leaders across the DoD in improving their organizational culture.
Date Taken: | 11.17.2021 |
Date Posted: | 11.22.2021 09:37 |
Story ID: | 409767 |
Location: | PATRICK SPACE FORCE BASE, FLORIDA, US |
Web Views: | 286 |
Downloads: | 1 |
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