Reserve NCO becomes command's newest EOA

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Thompson (1st row second from the left) poses for a group photo with fellow students during a graduation ceremony held at the DEOMI school house at Patrick Air Force Base. The Equal Opportunity Advisor course is a 4 week, multi-service school that provides students the necessary tools to help unit leaders maintain a climate of racial understanding. (Courtesy Photo)  

COCOA BEACH, FL, UNITED STATES

02.06.2015

Story by Capt. Chad Nixon 

807th Medical Command (Deployment Support)

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Thompson, an Army Reserve Soldier with the 307th Medical Brigade, 807th Medical Command is the unit’s most recent Equal Opportunity Advisor graduate from the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, Feb. 6.

Being an equal opportunity adviser is an opportunity for Soldiers to branch out to an assignment outside of their MOS and is often looked upon favorably by commanders.

“I am excited to be in my new role as the 307th EOA,” said Thompson. “I want to be able to help facilitate equality and diversity throughout my unit as well as the military.”

Becoming an EOA is simple, yet the role can be challenging and rewarding. Having a trained EOA on staff gives leaders an independent perspective with cultural insight.

“We are an outlet for soldiers to learn and understand diversity, said Greg Rogers, the Equal Opportunity Program Manager for the 807th. “We travel to units and teach classes on race, religion and culture, and we establish and record focus groups to give commanders an estimate on the attitudes and command climate.”

Enlisted members in the rank of promotable staff sergeant to sergeant major are eligible. Officers in the AG branch that are a major or lieutenant colonel, can serve at the division level. Upon appointment as an EOA, Soldiers are required to serve in the position for three years.

“I think almost anyone could be successful serving as an EOA,” said Thompson. “However, there are those unfortunate ones out there that still have very strong discriminations towards others. Everyone has prejudices, but the schoolhouse teaches you not to act on them.”

Propelled by the civil rights movement of the 1960s and to counteract a national policy of segregation and inequality, the Department of Defense mandated race relations training in 1971.

Since inception, DEOMI has continued teaching students about the importance of human relations, equal opportunity, equal employment opportunity, and diversity.

• Date Taken: 02.06.2015
• Date Posted: 03.03.2015 15:55
• Story ID: 155819
• Location: COCOA BEACH, FL, US