Equal Opportunity offices merge into one

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Timothy Coplin
  • 14th Flying Training Wing
COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. --  In line with the ongoing push to work smarter and not harder, the 14th Flying Training Wing Military Equal Opportunity and Equal Employment Opportunity offices have merged into one Equal Opportunity office to serve all.

For over three decades the Equal Employment Office and the Military Equal Opportunity office have served as two separate agencies, one servicing civilian employees while the other serviced Airmen. In 2008, Air Force officials are allowing all DOD personnel, civilian and military, to speak to anyone at the Equal Opportunity office. While many EEO/MEO offices have been co-located in the past, the employment status determined who the member may seek assistance from when dealing with unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment.

Air Force officials at the operational and tactical levels have targeted these two offices for a merger for a number of years, but never received the visibility and support needed until now. Personnel cuts to both EEO and MEO resulted in a collaborative AFSO21 effort which resurfaced the idea and ultimately won Secretary of the Air Force approval. The goal of this merger is to make the Air Force EO Program the best in the Department of Defense, serving as an example for the other military components to follow.

The Wing EEO and MEO staff completed training in both civilian and military complaint processes. The EO office will continue to conduct on-the-job training to enhance knowledge and proficiency in the governing laws, directives, and policies for processing grievances and implementing proactive programs. Although federal law governs the civilian claims and Air Force UCMJ governs the military claims, both military and civilians working in the EO office have the expertise to facilitate dispute resolutions and process both military and civilian claims. One difference remains the same: the civilians have total confidentiality in the informal phase while military members have limited confidentiality in regards to stating a claim. The merger does not affect the established laws and policies, no matter who handles the claims; in fact it gives EO experts a chance to expand prevention, outreach, and educational programs.

"We will continue to have a sound complaint management system, Alternate Dispute Resolution program, and maintain the integrity of the complaint process," said Toni Holcomb, Equal Opportunity Director.

For more information regarding the merger or EO concerns please call the EO office at 434-2546 or 434-3331.