Equal Opportunity office strives to be '1st resource' Published Nov. 2, 2015 By Kimberly Gaither 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The Wright Patterson Air Force Base Equal Opportunity office has helped countless individuals continue to successfully fulfill the Air Force mission by assisting with and guiding mediation, conflict and complaint resolution. "The EO program was established to ensure that everyone could come to work without any fear of discrimination or harassment based on their protected categories that fall under the Civil Rights Act of 1964," said Tech. Sgt. Lacey Schafer, NCOIC, Equal Opportunity. This act protects five categories including race, color, sex, national origin and religion. "[Genetic information] was added to these protected categories through the Genetic Information Nondisclosure Act of 2008," said Schafer. In 2008, the Military Equal Opportunity office and the Civilian Equal Opportunity office combined, giving way to the Equal Opportunity offices Air Force-wide. Although the process is slightly different for active duty members and civilians, Schafer explained that the office is well trained and able to assist. "We at Wright Patterson are one of two offices in the Air Force where the EO and the Diversity Offices are split apart," said Schafer. The EO office focuses on the process of filing a complaint or initiating any type of resolution, such as mediation. "The overall mission of the office is to make sure everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect," said Schafer. All EO specialists receive extensive human relations training. The Wright Patterson office also offers special emphasis programs, referral assistance, climate assessments, and resources to assist in clarifying complaints of different types of discrimination. "We want to be your first resource, not a last resort," said Schafer. If you have any questions about filing a complaint, you can contact the Equal Opportunity office at 257-2789 or visit them in Area A, Building 70.