WESTOVER AIRMEN RECEIVE D & I TRAINING

During the March Unit Training Assembly, Airmen at Westover were provided training on diversity and inclusion, as well as its importance in maintaining mission readiness and capability.
Mr. Grady L. Floyd, Air Force Reserve Command Diversity and Inclusion Branch, traveled to Westover in order to conduct diversity & inclusion training for 439th Airlift Wing personnel.
“This is a passion of mine,” said Floyd, “I really believe in it.”
Floyd said that Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee, AFRC Commander, hired him as the first AFRC diversity and inclusion officer.
“I believe he hired me because he and I share the vision for the command that diversity and inclusion should be ingrained into the fiber of everything we do inside the AFRC,” said Floyd.
Floyd said his objective has been to go across the entire reserve command to initiate discussions, to ensure that Air Force personnel understand the value of diversity and inclusion and how it relates to mission accomplishment.
“We just want to educate the masses,” said Floyd, “We can’t accomplish the mission without good, solid, and sound diversity and inclusion.”
Floyd likes to encourage participation in his trainings, and hopes that his style of teaching makes the material more palatable and will stay with Airmen longer than if he just read information off of slides.
“By including Airmen in the learning process and them having the ability to listen to and get the differing perspectives from other Airmen, that gives them a better understanding and appreciation for who their fellow Airmen are,” said Floyd.
Floyd said he was asked by Col. Joseph Janik, 439th Airlift Wing Commander, to visit Westover in order to conduct some training for the wing’s leadership as well as the wing personnel in the area of diversity and inclusion.
“I was invited to come out and conduct this training, which speaks volumes to their commitment and dedication to the tenets of diversity and inclusion,” said Floyd. “Col. Janik wants to emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion to the wing as a whole.”
Floyd said by the end of Westover’s UTA weekend, he will have trained over 700 Airmen.
“The training has been well received,” said Floyd. “The participation has been off the charts, so this has been a successful trip.”
Floyd has been part of the Air Force family since he enlisted as an active duty Security Forces member in 1987, and has been working for the Air Force in the civilian capacity since 2003.
“I am getting ready to retire, but I have more work to do,” said Floyd. “I want to ensure that our diversity and inclusion programs get a good, solid, and sound foundation before I call it a career and punch out.”