Like members of a successful athletic team, the Army of the 21st century must be made up all people, the former equal opportunity and program manager of the 3rd Infantry Division said Tuesday.
“When we talk about diversity, we are simply talking about including all people, talking about inclusiveness,” said retired Lt. Col. Shatrece W.B. Buchanan.
Buchanan was guest speaker for a Black History Month program at Fort Benning’s Marshall Auditorium at McGinnis-Wickam Hall. The theme was “How to leverage diversity to build a strong military force for the 21st century.”
After working her way up through the ranks from private in the judge advocate general’s office to company commander and West Point instructor, Buchanan retired Feb. 1, and started her own company, Bryant-Buchanan Productions and the National Media Center Foundation.
She told a crowd of about 350 military leaders, civilians, employees and children from Pinehurst Baptist Church Christian School and Kendrick High School, that you must have a voice in your organization.
“Diversity is not only about race,” Buchanan said. “Diversity is not action. Diversity is the totality of all things.”
To be successful, Buchanan said an organization must maximize the totality of all its players. She noted there may be only one person in your work place wearing a size 12 shoe or another who has red hair.
“Just because you are different does not mean you do not or should not have a voice,” Buchanan said.
Much has been done to improve diversity but there is still more work to be done. During 2011, Buchanan said nationwide about 99,950 claims were filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and more than $350 million were paid to settle claims.
“We are spending a lot of money and time on the issue,” Buchanan said.
In cases where a man or woman didn’t feel valued and wanted to leave the force, Buchanan said there is a need to focus on issues to improve the work place.
Leaders also need to realize they don’t have to look like their buddies to teach or mentor other employees.
When a diversity plan is put together, it must include your number one resource, the employees.
What is good for Fort Benning is different at Fort Campbell and other installations.
Most of all, leaders must get to know their brothers and sisters, Buchanan said.
Some women at the program shared Buchanan’s experiences about the work place.
“She is saying some of the same things I have observed,” said Iris Johnson, who retired from the medical clinic at Fort Benning. “If you are not in the realm, they don’t see you and they don’t hear you. Sometimes you get the feeling because you are female, they overlook you. They don’t think what you have to say is important. I have experienced a lot of that.”
Many times, Johnson said her input wasn’t recognized.
“We would have meetings and it was like they only would take suggestions from officers and we were the ones dealing with the people,” she said.
Theresa Oliver, a protocol action officer for the Maneuver Center of Excellence, said she is now more aware of her surroundings in terms of diversity. “I’m just learning to accept myself and the diversity of everything going on around me.”
