Department of the Air Force Office of Diversity and Inclusion joins next AETC Real Talk Feb. 26

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  • By Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs

Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of Air Education and Training Command, hosts the fifth episode of AETC Real Talk: Race and Diversity in the Air Force at 5 p.m. Feb. 26 on AETC’s Facebook page.

With Webb, for this episode, will be Chief Master Sgt. Sonia Lee, senior enlisted leader for the Department of the Air Force Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion activated Jan. 11, 2021.  The office works directly for the secretary of the Air Force and continues to address the strategic impact of diversity, inclusion and equity on Airmen, Guardians and their families.

“We have been holding these AETC Real Talk sessions to seek to understand our differences,” Webb said. “In this Real Talk we will examine the recently released Air Force Inspector General Report actions, like the activation of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, that are being made to achieve meaningful and lasting change.”

The ODI was established based on the recommendations of both the office of secretary of defense and Air Force inspector general independent reviews of racial disparity, ordered by the secretary of the Air Force and the air and space forces service chiefs, which was released Dec. 21, 2020.

The inspector general’s review focused specifically on assessing racial disparity in military discipline processes, personnel development, and career opportunities as they pertain to Black/African American Airmen and Guardians. The new office is charged with identifying and changing policies and procedures, removing barriers and other practices that may have an unfair effect upon underrepresented Airmen and Guardians.

The ODI is a cross-functional team of military and civilian Airmen and Guardians that represent communities across both services and applies subject matter expertise to the changes being considered. Viewers are encouraged to submit questions on the AETC Facebook page during the event.