DVIDS – News – Task Force Mustang Strengthens Equal Opportunity Leadership Abroad

Camp Burling, Kuwait – The 36th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) of the 36th Infantry Division (CAB) of the Texas Army National Guard (TXARNG), now deployed as “Mobile Force Mustangs”, completes an equal opportunity leadership course. Evaluated and commended 16 Soldiers who participated (EOLC) on 14 October.

The Soldiers will be Equal Opportunity Leaders within their first month in theater as part of the Task Force Mustangs mission to provide full spectrum Army air operations for the Joint Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Solution (CJTF-OIR). (EOL) has been appointed. middle east.

Military Equal Opportunities (MEO) programs are based on race, color, gender (including gender identity), religion, national origin, or sexual orientation. Her EOL of Task Force Mustang has the additional mandate of promoting a safe and inclusive work environment and assisting in the resolution of informal complaints of unlawful discrimination and offensive behavior perceived within the force. I’m here.

U.S. Army Colonel Scott P. Nicholas, commander of Task Force Mustang, expressed appreciation for EOL and how it supports daily operations.

“Regardless of the location, number of locations, or type of duty orders our Soldiers receive, all Army Air Forces should make promoting Army values ​​in all workplaces a top priority, and that goes from training to training. “Because Mobile Task Force Mustang now has an EO program that provides its training and expands awareness, our team will continue to support partner forces in the permanent defeat of ISIS.” Our mission continues to be focused on supporting

Leading the 16 EOLs of Task Force Mustang is a U.S. Army Sergeant. First Class Mildred A. Restrepo, Maintenance NCO and EO leader of the air brigade’s command team. She hosted her EOLC and assisted MEO advisors in qualifying soldiers for additional assignments.

“It’s great to serve as EOL for Task Force Mustang,” said Restrepo. “It is a privilege to be able to serve as the eyes and ears of a brigade commander, and it is most rewarding when our soldiers and leaders are able to resolve potential EO complaints at the lowest level.”

Restrepo is a member of the U.S. Army Reserves and served as the S-1 petty officer in charge of the 11th CAB, “Mobile Task Force Eagle,” before the 36th CAB took over duties last summer. After his return, he has served as an NYPD police officer.

“I knew I would be staying for my second overseas tour, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to fulfill the same duties in HR,” she said. I saw the advantage of working in the EO office at the time, so I was able to find a place to stay and help strengthen the brigade’s EO network.”

Restrepo said her EOL training allows her to inform commanders about informal complaints.

“Our EOL serves as a resource for all Soldiers and stands ready to accept anonymous or informal complaints, while our certified MEO Advisors can facilitate formal complaints directly,” she said. added. “All Soldiers have the right to choose their own type of complaint reporting. Always there.”

The number of EO complaints can easily vary by mission and deployment duration.

“The maximum number of informal complaints we received was 4 in any given week. We had several weeks with no complaints at all, which is great,” shared Restrepo. “In some cases, the Soldier’s complaint could have been formalized, but thanks to the Unit Leader’s attention and the EOL involved, the Soldier was able to work it out with his immediate supervisor.”

US Army Colonel. Her Acie Matthews, Operations NCO of the CJTF-OIR and his MEO Advisor, will serve as the coordinator of all his EO programs assigned throughout the Consolidated/Integrated Operations Area (CJOA) of the OIR.

“EOL is selected and trusted by commanders to monitor the climate and culture of their units,” said Matthews. “Our goal with EOL is to communicate EOL to the unit as an extension of the commander’s ear, and to convey the voice of the unit to commanders and other leaders. are tagged to carry out major military missions, which vary widely from team to team.”

Matthews brings to CJTF-OIR several years of EO experience both in-state and internationally.

“Being an MEO Advisor is a very rewarding and humbling position. People are our most precious resource and supporting their right to be treated with dignity and respect is absolutely imperative. “Prior to this deployment, I served as an MEO advisor to the Minnesota National Guard State and enjoyed supporting our Soldiers and Airmen during that time.”

He noted that Task Force Mustang is heading in the right direction for the EO program.

“MTF Mustang is unique in that its responsibilities are spread across multiple locations, multiple countries and across the CJOA. Maintaining a consistent message across such a vast area is difficult,” he said. Added. “However, EOL across Task Force Mustangs are thrilled and excited about the opportunity to support their respective commanders in their missions. But because dignity and respect are the drumbeat, these EOLs seamlessly integrate the rules of Title 10 into the rhythm of battle.”

Restrepo couldn’t agree more with Matthews on the importance of the EO team acting as a support channel for the Soldier.

“Towards the end of a deployment, it’s very common to see an increase in concerns and complaints,” said Restrepo. “It’s all a fresh start at the beginning of a year-long mission. , soldiers not talking to other soldiers, leadership involvement being perceived as less common, or soldiers not letting go of cultural differences or holdings, all of which affect discipline and unit morale. Our EOL will therefore prove essential to upholding professionalism and respect among soldiers and their chains of command.”

To meet MEO requirements, Restrepo says the EO awareness class will be completed by all Task Force Mustang soldiers during the next month, with an additional 15 soldiers completing the EOLC before the start of the new year. had all company-level to brigade-level leadership fully supported by EOL for the remainder of the deployment.

“That’s what we want,” concludes Restrepo. “We want all unit leaders to be able to communicate inequality concerns with their soldiers and resolve potential issues at the lowest possible level. EO complaints can arise at any time. It may be, but our EOL will always be there to maintain a safe and comfortable work environment for everyone until our mission is complete.”