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As the Equal Opportunity Representative with 1st Battalion, 25th Marines, it is my responsibility to provide confidential support and services to any service member who feels that they may have been victims of sex, race, color, national origin, or religious discrimination.
These responsibilities were set forth in policies established by the Equal Opportunity Program at HQMC. Discrimination is defined as denying someone equal treatment because of being different. In order for there to be a cohesive working environment ensuring that every Marine is performing to his or her best, equality has to be across the board. A unit’s mission readiness can be drastically affected thus creating an uncomfortable, unprofessional working environment.
Discrimination can also include sexual harassment which once again can easily affect cohesiveness as well as erode morale. Sexual harassment is defined as an unwelcomed gesture or comment of a sexual nature made by an individual to another. This will not be tolerated. If you or someone you know may be the victim of discrimination, first bring it to the accused individual in a tactful manner for they may not even know they are in the wrong. You can use the “green light”, “yellow light”, “red light” method. Green light means that you are not offended by actions or comments made. Yellow light means caution a boundary may soon be crossed. Red light is stop, the boundary has been crossed and the action or comments need to cease.
There are two methods in which an individual can file a complaint: formal or informal. An informal complaint consists of the accuser and accused giving their side of the story to myself. Hopefully we can come to a conclusion without having to file a formal complaint. A formal complaint is a complaint in which it is taken directly to the unit commander for his decision.
The Equal Opportunity Program is set forth to ensure equality to all and create the best working professional environment possible. All members of the unit will be treated with respect and dignity while ensuring mission accomplishment and unit readiness. |