Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    NRMC NCO excels in equal opportunity career

    NRMC NCO excels in equal opportunity career

    Photo By Gigail Cureton | Sgt. 1st Class Jason Zielske talks to Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Emmanuel Ilfraim,...... read more read more

    BETHESDA, MD, UNITED STATES

    04.18.2014

    Story by Gigail Cureton 

    U.S. Army Medical Readiness Command, East

    BETHESDA, Md. - Working long hours as a military equal opportunity professional requires listening - lots of it.

    With four daughters at home, Sgt. 1st Class Jason Zielske gets lots of practice.

    “There’s always something going on at home; some crisis to resolve,” Zielske said. “Having four daughters made me a much better conflict manager. My family life prepares me for being a good EOA.”

    Good enough to be the Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) Equal Opportunity Advisor of the Year.

    Becoming an EOA wasn’t part of Zielske's career plan when he began his Army career 15 years ago as an air and missile defense crew member. He enjoyed his job and knew he was a Soldier for life. “I joined the Army to make it a career; I wanted to do at least 20 years.”

    But a Soldier’s life is not easy and bad knees led Zielske to a career crossroads—find another opportunity to excel in the Army. He found it in a little-known but important career field.

    After graduating from the three-month course at the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) in 2011, Zielske was assigned to the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center before transferring to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) and helping to set up the equal opportunity program here.

    The transition from an Army hospital to a joint service facility with a strong naval tradition was his first, and, Zielske admits, sometimes an enduring challenge.

    “We wear the uniform of the U.S. military, but there are different customs and traditions, and you have to be sensitive to that,” he said. “My DEOMI training was helpful during the first months of our transition from the old Walter Reed Army [medical center] to Walter Reed Bethesda. It’s about adapting to a culture that says we are all one team with the same mission.

    “I like to keep in mind that the equal opportunity program is about breaking down walls and helping people accept differences and celebrate the similarities,” the Amherst, Ohio, native continued. “Sitting in a room with the other service members who are as committed to working together and creating a positive work environment is one of the things that I have embraced about Walter Reed Bethesda. I think it makes this place special.”

    On any given day, Zielske and a team of Soldiers, Sailors and DOD civilians are asked to find ways to support a positive command climate and help lessen the negative impact intolerance creates in the workplace.

    “What we do is very important to ensuring that our staff is free to work in an environment that is supportive,” he said. “Quality of work life is important to overall quality of life.”

    And while being the senior EOA at one of the largest hospitals in the military keeps Zielske busy, he does get to have fun.

    “I’m most proud of helping to get the multicultural committee up and running,” he said.

    He serves as its chairman and oversees the planning of up to 13 annual cultural events.

    “It’s great to see people smile," he said, pointing out to the crowd gathered for a recent Irish heritage celebration to watch a group of dancers. “The staff, the patients, they all enjoy these events.”

    Zielske says the compliments from both staff and patients are one of the highlights of his tour at WRNMMC. The other is watching the Soldiers he mentors, like Staff Sgt. Daniel Abeyta, excel. Abeyta, a former WRNMMC equal opportunity leader, was named the MEDCOM Equal Opportunity Leader of the Year. Equal opportunity leader is an entry-level unit position working under the direct supervision of an EOA.

    Zielske credits Abeyta as one of the main reasons he was recognized as MEDCOM’s best EOA.

    “Sgt. Abeyta is an outstanding young Soldier and leader. He put a lot of time and effort into being successful as an EOL. I’m more proud of him being selected than I am for myself. When you have great Soldiers, it’s easy to be good.”

    “Success in any program, to include programs like what Sgt. Zielske supports, depends on having troops who buy into the program and that buy in can have an impact on not only the organization but the individual,” Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin H.S. Scott Jr., command sergeant major, Northern Regional Medical Command.

    With his tour of duty at WRNMMC scheduled to end in October, Zielske, a self-described family man, says he is ready for his next challenge. The Army agrees, and he was recently selected for promotion to master sergeant.

    “The EOA position here was a stepping stone to the next level, and I am grateful to have served with an awesome joint service team. I‘d like to think my team and I helped to set the tone for a joint EO program with diplomacy, empathy and patience—all the things we learn in our training.”

    They are also skills that come in handy in a house with four daughters.

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 04.18.2014
    Date Posted: 04.18.2014 11:31
    Story ID: 126634
    Location: BETHESDA, MD, US
    Hometown: AMHERST, OH, US

    Web Views: 114
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN