Air Force Diversity

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POSITION PAPER
ON
DIVERSITY AND THE AIR FORCE
1. This paper will focus on the need to promote diversity in the Air Force and the diversity of thought amongst the ranks. The focus will be upon the current organizational climate, proposed solutions for consideration, and what should be done to levy change.

2. As a dominant air power it is essential to maximize resources in all aspects, including our people. President Truman signed the legal end of racial segregation in the military in 1948 and sparked an initiative for change and an increase in minority Airmen.1 Unfortunately, even today, the Air Force has staggering differences with regards to demographics reflective of minority groups. The organizational climate of the Air Force is explained …show more content…

To levy change with regards to accommodations and increased diversity, there is a need to increase the attractiveness of the Air Force. It must be understood that, if Airmen feel valued and excited, they will not want to go elsewhere. Airmen need to experience a legitimate buy-in. Moreover, their commitment and enthusiasm will be evident.7 To attract and retain quality Airmen of a diverse nature, there needs to be a higher retention rate. To increase retention, there needs to be flexibility, such as better control over assignment locations and duration, opportunities to control future development, and a more accepting environment for growth. The Air Force population is hungry for greater opportunities and satisfaction. If the Air Force can’t satisfy their needs, they will go to an organization that understands their desires. Being more accommodating to an Airman’s wants and needs will increase retention allowing for a greater number of candidates. Larger numbers to choose from will increase the potential for an underrepresented applicant group to be considered. Lastly, consider that a “group of people with diverse individual expertise would be better than a homogeneous group at solving complex, nonroutine problems.”8 There is a critical need to retain and broaden the diversity of the Air Force, not only to retain air superiority, but to guarantee that numerous views and thoughts are openly expressed at all levels of …show more content…

Promoting diversity through the Air Force and its ranks requires a constant effort and the results will be advantageous. Through proactive effort, the barriers can be identified and removed. With changes to accommodations, the possibility of retaining a more diverse force increases. It is important to reiterate, if Airmen feel valued and excited they will not want to work elsewhere. In the end, retaining Airmen through accommodations will increases the pool of talent and lean to a more diverse Air Force. Notes

1. Parco, James E., and David A. Levy, 2010. Attitudes Aren’t Free. Maxwell AFB, AL: Air University Press. 2. Air Force Personnel Center, Air Force Demographics, United States Air Force, 31 December 2016, http://www.afpc.af.mil/Air-Force-Demographics.
3. Ibid. 4. Col Suzanne M. Streeter, United States Air Force, 2014, "The Air Force and Diversity." Feature 105. 5. Ibid., 105. 6. Florentine, Sharon, How to Improve Employee Rention. 14 January 2015,

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