MEO, EEO combine to provide world-class service

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nestor Cruz
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Kadena's Military Equal Opportunity and Equal Employment Opportunity offices will soon merge to better serve the community. 

In line with the Program Budget Decision 720 initiative, the two offices are preparing for a January 2008 merger which will create a stronger workforce able to handle both military and civilian grievances. 

The combined offices will simply be called Equal Opportunity. 

"Right now we're going through an extensive training program which we need to complete before the merger goes through in January," said Master Sgt. Sheila Parra, MEO NCO-in-charge. "We have to go through on-the-job training so we can get familiar with handling civilian grievances. Likewise, our EEO counterparts will need to get familiar with our programs." 

MEO and EEO professionals are looking forward to the potential synergy of working together under the same roof. 

"We're very excited to see this merger go through," said Tom Harter, EEO collateral counselor. "By next year, we'll have a co-located staff capable of serving both military and civilian members. So whoever comes into our office, any member from our staff can provide assistance." 

Another benefit from the merger is having additional staff members to conduct training and serve as alternative dispute resolution program mediators. 

"In the past, MEO conducted all training for the community, including civilian employees," said Sergeant Parra. "Now that our two offices are merging, we'll have additional members to assist with training and the ADR program. As ADR mediators, our goal is to help any Kadena member, military or civilian, reach a positive resolution." 

Equal Opportunity goals include combining complaint management processing, maintaining an efficient, fair and impartial complaint resolution process, and maintaining a responsive and legally compliant EO program. 

"We're going to continue to find better ways to effectively and efficiently support commanders, Airmen and civilians," said Sergeant Parra. 

She added that equal opportunity is a serious topic for Air Force leaders. In his Letter to Airmen in April, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said, "As the Secretary of the Air Force, I am dedicated to ensuring the talents of every Airmen are valued and that characteristics unrelated to performance never impede opportunity."