EO strives to maintain unalienable rights for Team Whiteman members

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Montse Ramirez
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  "We believe that all men have certain unalienable rights. Yet many Americans do not enjoy those rights," -- President Lyndon B. Johnson.

The 509th Bomb Wing Equal Opportunity office is charged with safeguarding the rights Team Whiteman members are entitled to.

Equal Opportunity strives to promote Air Force policy with an environment free from personal, social or institutional barriers that prevent Air Force members from rising to the peak of responsibility possible based on their individual merit, fitness and capability, according to Master Sgt. Tammy Klonowski, 509th Bomb Wing, Equal Opportunity superintendent.

"Discrimination impacts the mission by not allowing individuals to ascend to higher levels of responsibility and takes away an individual's focus and drive," said Staff Sgt. Maurice
Ingram, 509th Bomb Wing, Equal Opportunity advisor. "It also tears the morale and unity that we foster within our military culture."

Whiteman policy on equal opportunity is zero tolerance of unlawful discrimination and sexual harassment. Under unlawful discrimination there are five counts: race, color, religion, national origin and sex. Civilians are protected under the same five categories in addition to age and handicapped conditions.

"Our primary objective is to help commanders become aware of any allegations of unlawful discriminations and sexual harassment," Sergeant Ingram said. "By letting them know how to improve the human relations climate within the unit, the commander can improve mission effectiveness."

Soon after EO personnel receive a complaint from an entity, they notify the commander of the accusation, and clarify the claim to verify if the allegations are accurate. If they are, EO will assist the individual, otherwise the claim will be dropped but the complaint remains an official record, Sergeant Ingram said.

Individuals have several options available to them. They may place an informal or formal complaint of sexual harassment or unlawful discrimination with the EO office.

When a person elects to file an informal complaint, he or she is encouraged to handle the situation at the lowest level in their chain of command. Dealing with the concern directly with the offender, or requesting an intervention with a coworker may facilitate the situation.

"We aid individuals by providing mediation and facilitation," he said. "Anytime a situation is brought to our attention that could possibly impact a member's ability to serve, we mediate that issue by using an alternative dispute resolution."

Sergeant Ingram said three out of four people that come into their office do not file complaints after talking it out with one of the EO staff. Service members may realize that trying to deal with the situation themselves at the lowest level is the best solution.

"We bring the two disputing parties to some type of decree where they come up with the solution themselves," he said. "So far, mediation has had a 96 percent success rate."

If an individual does decide to proceed with a formal complaint and the allegations are found to be true, the consequences could range from disciplinary action from the unit or wing commander to separation from the military.

Equal Opportunity continues to work for service members so they can fight for the rights of every American.

For more information or to make an appointment, contact Equal Opportunity at (660) 687-5737.