The Defense Department is asking all employees to provide feedback on how it can improve diversity and inclusion among its mostly white, male workforce.
The department’s Board on Diversity and Inclusion on Tuesday reiterated its call for suggestions by October 16 so the board can incorporate them into a report to Defense Secretary Mark Esper by December 15. The board is one of two Esper created in June to foster an “enterprise-wide, organizational and cultural shift.” Although the Pentagon has made some inroads on diversity over the years, the Defense workforce (civilian and military) in 2018 was 82% male and 71% white, according to the department’s most recent report on its Military One Source website.
“Hearing from our service members is critical in helping the Department of Defense make lasting changes to our military culture,” said Air Force Brig. Gen. Troy Dunn, the board's senior military member. “All members of the Department of Defense are invited to join this important conversation. Since solutions will not come from the Pentagon alone, we offer the milSuite link to seek your feedback through open and honest dialogue on diversity and inclusion.”
The board is reviewing the military’s policies and practices and studying best practices from non-Defense organizations to develop new policies to ensure that “our ranks reflect and are inclusive of the American people we have sworn an oath to protect and defend,” Esper said in announcing the board. The report to the secretary will include recommendations on rec ..
Support the originator by clicking the read the rest link below.
