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380AEW Article

NCO takes proactive approach to EO program

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joshua J. Garcia
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The Equal Opportunity office is an extension of the commanders reach to create an environment that promotes mutual respect and trust, a culture of professionalism. Commanders rely on the EO office to effectively communicate the message that diversity is integral to our core values, enhances mission readiness and is a national security imperative.

A wing comprised of approximately 3,000 members is usually supported by a staff of 4 to handle the EO mission. U.S. Air Force Tech. Sergeant Adonis Cabarle, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Equal Opportunity director, runs a single man office and takes this challenge head on here.

"We advise the commanders on relation issues within the U.S. Air Force, our job is pretty unique," said Cabarle. "When a commander deals with any human relations issues, they call us. It can be outside race, religion, sex, national origin or color, when it comes to human relation issues, we are the subject matter experts."

Cabarle said it's great the U.S. Air Force is made up of cultures that bring diversity to the force, yet it is diversity that creates tension between the groups due to unfamiliarity.
"If you look at the history of our country, cultural diversity has always been there, from immigration to now," said Cabarle. "Yet there has always been a need to educate about the differences within these cultures. So, we are right there on the equal opportunity front line advising the commanders. EO is there to ensure that it's your abilities and your training that puts you through, not because of the race, religion, national origin, genetic information or sex."

The EO office of today doesn't only deal with race issues, it also tackles sexual harassment. Cabarle said he has dealt with issues where an Airman had been approached with a quid-pro-quo situation to get a favorable performance report. For this reason Cabarle wants to be more proactive with the EO program.

Instead of waiting for issues to come to him, Cabarle goes out with the squadron first sergeants to meet Airmen and talk about issues they deal with on a daily basis. It not only allows him to meet people, but it gives the Philippine native an avenue to push one of the commander's three priorities, taking care of Airmen.

"Having a proactive EO is absolutely phenomenal," said Master Sgt. Christopher Franklin, 380th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant. "Because we can get out amongst the people and we can make a difference on the spot."

Helping Airmen understand they are valued and have the opportunity to reach their full potential while contributing to the mission of the Air Force comes with its challenges. Cabarle said people are afraid to be forthcoming and are guarded with what they say.

"Unfortunately most people don't feel comfortable coming to me with issues, so when that happens there are zero complaints," said Cabarle. "Some commanders think it's great. Zero complaints, but is it? Or are people just afraid to step up and bring up the issues they need to talk about? That's why the face time with Airmen is so important. I can build a rapport with them."

With a constant mission to educate Airmen on how to avoid negative trends and promote equal opportunity, Cabarle takes a very calm approach to all the challenges that an EO director could face.

"EO is really simple; treat a person with dignity and respect. That is the key. Just like your family you fight with them but you treat them with respect," said Cabarle. "The Air Force is the same, a family in its own rights, we may disagree from time to time, but if we treat each other with dignity and respect it helps the mission get accomplished."