Army Equal Opportunity Program

What is it?

The Army’s Equal Opportunity (EO) program formulates, directs, and sustains a comprehensive effort to maximize human potential to ensure fair treatment for military personnel, family members and civilians without regard to race, color, gender, religion, age, disability or national origin.

Ultimately, the Department’s effort is to cultivate and sustain an environment free of unlawful discrimination and offensive behavior. This policy applies to Army personnel both on and off the installation, during duty and non-duty hours, and in working, living and recreational environments.

What has the Army done?

The Army EO program enhances Department personnel’s ability to work effectively as a team, show respect for self and others and reinforces good discipline, the Army values, professional behavior and readiness. To ensure this, the Army:

• (1) Provides annual training classes and materials to all personnel and refresher training as needed
• (2) Established EO training for units and professional military education courses consistent with Headquarters, Department of the Army policy and command needs
• (3) Ensures that all Equal Opportunity Advisors and Representatives are trained and deployable to support units
• (4) Established and maintains its own EO/ Sexual Harassment Assistance hotline number 1-800-267-9964
• (5) Continues to take the appropriate actions when relative DA/DOD policies are violated
• (6) Conducts regular Department-level assessment and evaluation of the program

Why is this important to the Army?

The Army is a vast organization with a global presence. One of its central sources of strength is the diversity of the military and civilian members - approximately 1.4 million personnel. Cultivating and sustaining an environment of inclusion is an important component of the Army’s overall strategy for human capital. This and other Army-wide diversity efforts will enable us to remain competitive in attracting and sustaining a highly skilled and diverse military and civilian workforce.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

Leaders will continue to advance the Army’s diversity efforts. As Army senior leaders persist to expand the knowledge and understanding of the diversity, not only will the strength, versatility and efficiency of the Department be amplified, but its leaders/personnel will be more effective at understanding the cultures and environments where they serve.

Resources:

• Equal Opportunity Branch
• Army Diversity Strength
• Army Diversity Resources
• Army G-1
• Army Values
• Related STAND-TO!:
• - Army Diversity Roadmap