WASHINGTON -- The Air National Guard has revitalized its diversity program beginning with the hiring of a new program director.
Air Force Lt. Col. Shirley Raguindin was introduced at the 2010 Air National Guard senior leadership conference held here, Nov. 18.
“The Air Force recently has said that diversity is essential for combat capability, I agree, so we’re going to do something about that, we’re re-invigorating our diversity initiatives,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt, director of the Air National Guard.
“I took a look at our diversity initiatives, and while we in the past made some significant progress, it appeared to me that we had kind of stalled out.”
Wyatt said the Air Guard in all 54 states and territories will devise new and different ways of thinking about diversity.
“The fact is, if you consider the traditional metrics of diversity – race and gender, but you don’t limit yourself to those restrictive definitions … but you expand it to socioeconomic, religious, marital status, geographical status … that might be considered diversity,” he said.
Raguindin said she is looking forward to the “journey towards this cultural transformation.”
The Air Guard has achieved great success, but there is “room for improvement as we face a myriad of challenges now and in the future,” she said.
“One of the most important priorities in the Air National Guard is developing adaptable Airmen, and to also develop and mentor our Airmen … in the pipeline for leadership success,” Raguindin said. “If we don’t take care of our Airmen, it could lead to grave consequences to our current and future new missions.”
Wyatt said that Raguindin will lead the Air Guard into the future and pledged to her the resources that she needs, because “diversity … is that important to this organization.”