AF Leaders Speak on Diversity

Dear MRFF,

The e-Mail below (see below e-mail in red) sent to all permanent party personnel at USAFA is quite illuminating.  The Superintendent uses this effective means of communication–as well as really cool AF blue text and large font for emphasis–to spread the word on a topic that his bosses all feel is VERY important for our Air Force.  The Supt has bought into diversity fully, having hired a Chief Diversity Officer and given her general officer equivalent civilian rank, special parking spots, and staff support.  We know by his actions that he supports these efforts fully.

Sadly, this e-Mail only serves to highlight the fact that our Supt apparently does not support all of his bosses’ items of emphasis and policy on an equal basis.  The Chief of Staff’s SIGNED memo (1 Sep 2011) on religious diversity didn’t see wide release for weeks and until MRFF put the letter on a public billboard in Colorado Springs–and even then, the Supt didn’t send it out from his own official e-mail account.  Instead, it trickled out via the Commandant and through the faculty via department heads after repeated requests.

As always, actions speak louder than words.  I KNOW the Supt supports the types of diversity described in the article below.  It’s not very clear to me, though, that he respects religious diversity with the same zeal–advocating for the Chief’s policy of neutrality in that area with the same bold font and color.  Maybe he forwards the message precisely because neither the article cited, nor the Air Force declaration of diversity that’s linked to that article even mentions religous diversity.

Message received.  THANKS, SIR!!!
(USAF Academy Professor and USAF Officer’s name, rank, USAF Academy Faculty Dept., title and position withheld)

From: Gould, Mike C Lt Gen USAF USAFA USAFA/CC
Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2011 12:23 PM
To: Dist P
Subject: AF Leaders Speak on Diversity

Team USAFA,    Please read the article below.  Among the highlights are:

WASHINGTON (AFNS) — Air Force senior leaders released a memorandum stressing the importance of diversity in today’s force here Oct. 14.

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy signed the Declaration on Diversity, which stressed the importance of diversity at tactical and strategic levels as keys to mission success.

“Diversity, as defined by the Air Force, aggregates our strengths, perspectives and capabilities in a way that transcends individual contributions,” the memorandum states.
“It speaks to each Airman’s responsibility, as public servants, to embrace and gain a better understanding of diversity as a tool to enhance unit cohesion and the Air Force’s ability to carry out its mission globally.

“From our perspective, diversity throughout our Air Force is a military necessity,” the senior leaders said. “We will promote an Air Force culture that embraces diversity and provides the opportunity for all Airmen to reach their full potential and provide the required supporting programs and resources.”

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123278071

Thanks for what you and your families do every day to make our Air Force the best!    Keep up the great work!    Best Regards,      Lt Gen Gould