R 282039Z JUN 13
UNCLASSIFIED/
MARADMIN 323/13
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP/MPE//
SUBJ/FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPATION SUPPORTING CMC'S DIVERSITY TASK FORCE INITIATIVE//
REF/A/CMC WHITE LETTER 2-13//
AMPN/REF A IS CMC WHITE LETTER ON DIVERSITY TASK FORCE INITIATIVE//
NARR/REF A IS CMC WHITE LETTER 2-13, COMMANDANT'S DIVERSITY TASK FORCE INITIATIVE// 
POC/M. J. SHEPPARD/CIV/UNIT: MPE/-/TEL: 703-784-9371/TEL: DSN 278-9371//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  THE PURPOSE OF THIS MARADMIN IS TO ENCOURAGE MARINE OFFICERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FOCUS GROUPS THAT SUPPORT THE CMC'S DIVERSITY TASK FORCE INITIATIVE ESTABLISHED IN CMC WHITE LETTER 2-13.
2.  CMC HAS DEFINED DIVERSITY AS THE VARIED CULTURES, BACKGROUNDS, TALENTS, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES AMONG MARINES THAT ENHANCE OUR CORE VALUES, CONTRIBUTE TO OUR WARFIGHTING CAPABILITIES, AND ENSURE OUR CONNECTEDNESS TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.  OTHER ASPECTS OF DIVERSITY, SUCH AS RACE, ETHNICITY AND GENDER MAY ALSO INFLUENCE US ON OUR PERSONAL MARINE CORPS JOURNEY. 
3.  PER THE REF, THE CMC HAS ESTABLISHED FOUR TASK FORCE  GROUPS: 1) TASK FORCE RACE/ETHNICITY:  ATTRACT, DEVELOP AND RETAIN MINORITY OFFICERS, LOCATED AT MCB CAMP PENDLETON, CA; 2) TASK FORCE LEADERSHIP, ACCOUNTABILITY AND MENTORING, LOCATED AT MCB QUANTICO, VA; 3) TASK FORCE WOMEN IN THE MARINE CORPS: ATTRACT, DEVELOP AND RETAIN WOMEN OFFICERS, LOCATED AT MCB CAMP LEJEUNE NC; AND 4) TASK FORCE CULTURE AND LEADING CHANGE, LOCATED AT MCB CAMP BUTLER, OKINAWA JA.   THE PURPOSE OF THESE TASK FORCES IS TO SURFACE ANY KEY DIVERSITY RELATED ISSUES SO THAT THE CORPS MAY BETTER UNDERSTAND AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION WHERE WE ARE FALLING SHORT.
4.  THE FOCUS GROUPS WILL SERVE AN IMPORTANT SUPPORTING ROLE IN THIS EFFORT.  THEY WILL BE MADE UP SOLELY OF OFFICER VOLUNTEERS WHO WILL PARTICIPATE IN MODERATED DISCUSSIONS ON TOPICS WITHIN EACH OF THE FOUR TASK FORCE GROUPS.  OFFICERS WHO VOLUNTEER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FOCUS GROUPS MUST BE STATIONED IN THE GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF THE RESPECTIVE FOCUS GROUP FOR WHICH THEY VOLUNTEER.
5.  THE FOCUS GROUPS WILL BE CONDUCTED 15-31 JUL 13.  EACH FOCUS GROUP SHALL BE COMPRISED OF A MINIMUM OF NINE MARINE OFFICERS. THE INVITATIONS TO THE POTENTIAL FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANTS WILL BE SENT OUT VIA SEPARATE CORRESPONDENCE.  THE FOCUS GROUPS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPORTING THEIR FINDINGS TO THE DESIGNATED TASK FORCE, WITH THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS ON IMPROVING DIVERSITY WITHIN THE OFFICER RANKS. 
6.  COMMANDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO SUPPORT CMC'S DIVERSITY TASK FORCE INITIATIVE BY ENSURING ALL OF THEIR OFFICERS ARE GIVEN A VALID OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A FOCUS GROUP.  FOR QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PLEASE CONTACT MPE BRANCH HEAD COL THOMAS JOHNSON AT 703-784-9371/72.
7.  RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY (SES) MR. M. F. APPLEGATE, DIRECTOR, MANPOWER PLANS AND POLICY DIVISION.//