From small town to Army community – Equal Opportunity Boldly Moves Forward

Photo By Maj. Khoran Lee | 1st Lt. Alex Carr, 1st Platoon Leader, with the 402nd Engineer Company participates in the USARC driven Equal Opportunity Leaders Course at Darien, Illinois. The 60- hour course prepared more than 40 Soldiers to become elite equal opportunity leaders in their field. During the training, Carr took part in an exercise called "Star Power." The purpose of the exercise created an understanding of prejudice and power.  

NORTH LIBERTY, IA, UNITED STATES

10.20.2021

Story by Maj. Khoran Lee 

416th Theater Engineer Command

By 1st Lt. Alex Carr, 1st Platoon Leader, 402nd Engineer Company

As an Equal Opportunity officer, we are implementing proactive EO programs to encourage the tough-but-necessary conversations to create working environments where all Soldiers can succeed. We’ve been holding these conversations and continue to build on the lessons learned. It is not an easy process, but is an opportunity toward progress.

However, there is still plenty of work left to do regarding equal opportunity. The world is far from perfect, but I believe we’re on the right track. It’s just a matter of continuing to fight the good fight and not back down from doing the right thing in order to boldly move forward toward progress. When we have these tough conversations we break down barriers, confront our prejudices and remind ourselves that all who wear the uniform swore an oath willing to support and defend the constitution of the United States.

I currently live in North Liberty, Iowa, but was raised in the small town of Lamoni, Iowa, which has a population of about 2,500 people. Lamoni is home to Graceland University, which luckily allowed me to be exposed to a greater level of diversity, including in thought, race, religion, and socioeconomic – all more than what most small rural communities offer.

I was very blessed to grow up in this town. At the same time, though, if I am being real, I was in a predominantly “white” environment where most people looked like me. This, on its own, is not negative, but can present challenges if biases are not identified and confronted. The military continues to expose me to new people, ideas and thoughts. This occurs all while pursuing a common purpose, to fight and win our nation’s wars. The Army is one of the best representations of America, being the melting pot of the world; that is something I am very proud of.

Plus, officers are given the opportunity to be exposed to EO training throughout their careers, as it is a commander’s program. Officers need to embrace the importance of their role in implementing these programs – whether it be through the EO Leader Course or another opportunity. The EO program is a retention element, a force multiplier, a morale booster and speaks to how we take care of our Soldiers.

Because we’ve made the transition from “mission control” to “mission command,” going from a very top-down approach to allowing Soldiers to take disciplined initiative, the relationships we have with each other have never been more important. Without trust in each other across the chain of command, we limit our combat effectiveness and allow our formations to become divided.

To the greatest extent possible, I think every Soldier and Civilian should absolutely be taking the Equal Opportunity program seriously. The training I received at the EO Leadership Course would benefit anyone if they have not been exposed to this type of material before.

• Date Taken: 10.20.2021
• Date Posted: 10.22.2021 14:44
• Story ID: 407747
• Location: NORTH LIBERTY, IA, US