Diversity In The US Navy vs Corporate America
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Diversity In The US Navy v/s Coperate America
Name
WRTG 101S: Introduction to Writing
University
Diversity Training in the Navy
Diversity is generally defined as acknowledging, understanding, accepting, valuing, and celebrating differences among people with respect to age, class, ethnicity, gender, physical and mental ability, race, sexual orientation, spiritual practice, and public assistance status (Esty, et al., 1995).
The Department of the Navy’s (DON) strength comes in its diversity. Composed of Sailors, Marines, Active and Reserve, Military and Civilian for well over 200 years that both separately and together have proved over time that diversified capabilities are the key to many decisive victories. The Navy’s continued success is multiplied by our shared values, our mutual commitment to excellence, and our common dedication to cause greater than ourselves.
Principles of non-discrimination and equal opportunity are enforced to promote respect, build trust and respect, among members of the workforce. When diversity is embraced and respected then it invites new perspectives and new ideas to solve problems.
In 2003 the Navy established the DON Force Management Oversight Council (FMOC) which is composed of military and civilian manpower-personnel leadership of the DON. The FMOC’s purpose is to provide advice and support to the Assistant Secretary in his oversight role of all matters of broad policy for all DON military and also civilian personnel. The Navy seeks a total force that fully leverages and values the diversity inherent of in its makeup. Their goal is to develop leaders who reflect our Navy, its ethnic makeup, gender mix and culutural diversity.
How does the Navy do this? What plan has the FMOC incorporated to ensure that the standards are adhered too?
All new recruits receive diversity training at Recruit Training Command (RTC). Thus instilling as soon as they are in the military the standards that shall be followed and adhered too. All Officers and Sailors receive General Military Training. This is held annually at the minimum and is given by a knowledgeable senior leader or someone may be asked to conduct the training for that particular command. This training is annotated in the service members record. If a service member is not available at that command then over 50,000 Officers and Sailors receive diversity training in leadership schools each year.
An effective tool for Commanding Officers to use to ensure that diversity policies are understood and that no one feels there is a problem or more importantly address a concern before it becomes a problem is a “quick poll” which is administered by the Command Assessment Team (CAT). The last CAT “quick poll” that I participated in I was able to not only answer the questions but then since I am a member of the team was able to take the results and present them to the Commanding Officer so that she/he is aware of the morale of the command. The entire process from the generation of questions, to administering to the command and then taking the results and presenting them to the Commanding Officer can take up to 2-3 month or longer depending on the size of the command.
Another source of training that is available is the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) which provides a web-based diversity training. When the web-based NKO is utilized for the training then the training is evaluated by a test that you must pass at the end of the training, in order to “pass” this training the Sailor must score at the minimum a 80 percent. If an 80 percent is not achieved then the service member must continue to do the training until a passing grade is achieved. Most commands have at the minimum a training officer or a Command Training Office who will monitor the commands training compliance until 100 percent is achieved.
Now while the Training Officer will take the time to ensure there is 100 percent compliance for the command the command also has a CMEO(Command Equal Opportunity) officer whose job is maintain a positive command climate, thereby significantly improving the mission readiness and enhancing mission effectiveness. The CMEO manager assists the Commanding Officer by promoting diversity, monitoring command climate, and providing education on diversity as it pertains to that command.
Just as a Commanding Officer has to ensure that diversity is adhered to at their command the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) must ensure that the Navy is adhering to the standards he/she has set forth. The CNO has established a council who regularly has symposiums to inform Sailors about ongoing Navy diversity initiatives, as well as collect feedback from the fleet.
So now you can see that the Navy has plenty of tools to ensure we are achieving the hightest standards but now lets examine Corporate America and how it promotes diversity.
The Navy will continue to pursue policies and strategies that enable us to fully engage all members of our workforce by recognizing that the strength that each individual holds collectively contributes to the strength that our nation and its people have to offer will enhance our ability to achieve mission success. To do this the Navy must promote an environment in which every person can excel, where each person is treated with dignity and respect, and where all are recognized for the contributions they make.
References
Department of the Navy Diversity report . (2006).
