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Thirty-seven Soldiers of the New Jersey Army National Guard qualified as equal opportunity leaders, August 16, 2025. The six-day-long class held at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey prepared the Soldiers to improve readiness in their units by identifying and preventing issues of discrimination and unfair treatment.
“Equal opportunity leaders have their finger on the pulse of the unit,” said Lt. Col. Amy Glatz, State Equal Employment Manager. “Nobody knows more than they do about what makes their Soldiers successful in the unit’s mission. This class is so much more than a credential; it is a mindset which improves organizations at the Soldier level.”
Coursework included practical exercises, application of training principles, and intense discussion of past, present, and emerging issues in the Soldiers’ units. Many members of the class hailed from the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, which recently returned from an arduous deployment in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Inherent Resolve.
“I don’t usually see [the equal opportunity] side of the Army because I’m combat arms,” said Sgt. Francisco Estrada, a section leader in B Troop, 1-102d Cavalry Regiment. “On the deployment we had so many jobs. ‘Just do it and shut up,’ that’s not really knowing your Soldiers. You have to make sure everyone is okay.”
Throughout the course, the new graduates studied Army Regulation 600-20, Chapter 6: Equal Opportunity Policy and Program, confronted their own and others’ biases, and learned how to triage and refer potential complaints while resolving issues at the lowest possible level.
“This course made me self-reflect on my leadership style,” said Staff Sgt. Nikolas Torres, a squad leader in A Troop, 1-102d Cavalry Regiment. “Since getting back from the deployment, a lot of new people have joined the unit. This is an opportunity to make small changes and mold the culture.”
In addition to recently redeployed 44th IBCT Soldiers, the new EOLs included noncommissioned officers from the Regional Training Site-Maintenance, whose own training audience often includes Soldiers from multiple states and components.
“I came to the class with zero knowledge or understanding of EO, but I will do everything in my power to ensure everyone is treated fairly,” said Sgt. Daniel Egan, an instructor with the RTS-M.
The course opened and closed with the “badge ceremony,” in which Soldiers identified and reflected on their own values, characteristics, and personal traits. In sharing their experiences with the group in this and other practical exercises throughout the course, Soldiers considered a multitude of perspectives.
“You have to actually listen to someone who is having a problem,” said Sgt. Brandy Albright, a team leader with B Co., 250th Brigade Support Battalion. “What is it like to be in their head?”
“It’s about intent versus impact,” added Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Lowrie, an instructor with the RTS-M. “You have to really look at the situation.”
Equal opportunity and harassment prevention and response is a commander’s program. Commanders at every level are responsible for maintaining a unit climate of dignity and respect. EOLs assist commanders and equal opportunity advisors to maximize Soldiers’ potential and ensure fair treatment for all unit members.
“As a noncommissioned officer, the biggest thing I’ve learned so far is coming to terms with jokes that could be bullying, stuff that I might think was funny or normal,” Estrada concluded. “I’m rethinking some comments, to be that person to speak up and say, ‘that’s not cool.’ I will be the one to make that change.”
EOLs also assist in expressing the importance of participation in the Defense Organizational Climate Survey, which is open through November 30, 2025. The DEOCS survey results enable the New Jersey National Guard prevention team to create targeted intervention strategies, improve leadership engagement, and find resources that support units in improving their climate and performance. NJNG Soldiers and Airmen can access the survey at www.surveysdrc.com/DEOCS with their email or DoD ID number. Participation matters!
| Date Taken: | 08.16.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.25.2025 08:58 |
| Story ID: | 546178 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 16 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Fostering a climate of dignity and respect: New EOLs badge into their additional duties, by MAJ Amelia Thatcher, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
