Rock Island Arsenal's Master Sgt. Latisha Turner was named an Equal Opportunity Advisor of the Year for the Army Materiel Command on Dec. 14 at the Annual Worldwide Equal Opportunity Advisor Training Conference in Orlando, Fla.

The purpose of the award is to recognize those Equal Opportunity Advisors whose exemplary leadership qualities have made significant contributions to human relations and equal opportunity programs within their organization and the Army. Those selected for the award were also judged to have been successful in assisting their command in overcoming discrimination and eliminating barriers that hinder equal opportunity, promoting training opportunities that support and contribute to the advancement of understanding and valuing diversity, and fostering a positive relationship between military and civilian communities.

Master Sgt. Turner, who has for the past two years been an Equal Opportunity Advisor for the Army Sustainment Command, has a history of leadership positions in her military career. She is also involved in several volunteer efforts. As the Unit School Liaison Non-Commissioned Officer for the Partners in Education Program, she coordinates volunteers within her unit to mentor school-aged, inner-city children in the community. Master Sgt Turner is also vice-president of Sisterhood Ministries, a non-profit organization outside of Ft. Campbell, Ky., that serves disadvantaged women and youth, and assists Soldiers and their family members. She also serves as a mentor in her local Big Brothers/ Big Sisters program.

According to Master Sgt Turner, a majority of her duties as an Equal Opportunity Advisor require frequent travel both stateside and overseas, to monitor what is referred to as the "climate" for equal opportunity in the Soldiers' environment. As an Equal Opportunity Advisor, Master Sgt. Turner travels frequently to Southwest Asia in support of the Global War on Terrorism. She was most recently in Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Qatar in April 2006. While there, Master Sgt. Turner analyzed equal opportunity programs through observation, by conducting surveys, and by conducting interviews one-on-one, and in small groups, with Soldiers.
Master Sgt Turner counts her frequent travel for site visits as one of the most important and enjoyable aspects of her job. She explained, "These site visits give me the opportunity to see firsthand the mission that's conducted out in the field. My site visits give me the opportunity to assess the command climate and address concerns that could possibly arise because of equal opportunity issues."

Stateside, Master Sgt Turner has also assisted in training for Soldiers and civilians within the Army Sustainment Command for the Army's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program.