Diversity Within the Military Discussed at Monthly Luncheon

The chapter addressed diversity within the military during its monthly luncheon with an all-star panel. As moderator, Col. Lamont Atkins, USAF, director of operations, Sixteenth Air Force, Air Forces Cyber, opened the discussion with explaining how diversity and inclusion are of operational importance to capitalize on the talent within the Air Force and Department of Defense. Col. Atkins was joined by Col. Lauren Courchaine, USAF, commander, 67th Cyberspace Operations Group; Col. Christopher Robinson, director of communications, Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber); and Col. Omar Velasco, USAF, vice commander, 67th Cyberspace Wing.

"I view (diversity) as a foundation, a force multiplier...the way to pull together a group of individuals to do things we may be limiting ourselves if we don't open up our aperture," explained Col. Robinson. Col. Courchaine responded that we are all powered by people and even on days when people disagree with each other, maintaining open lines of communication is key. "Our organization is set with a strategy that is all about people and accepting of the different viewpoints of the different people that we have in our enterprise to get the mission completed." Diversity and inclusion weigh heavily into the acceptance and understanding of all people. "Achieving a state of readiness and to execute at a high level, we have to do that as a team," explains Col. Velasco. When it comes to honing in on diversity, these leaders are focused on who an individual is and where they come from.

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