SETAF AF hosts Equal Opportunity Leaders Course at Caserma Ederle
VICENZA, Italy — “You will be hard pressed to find a more rewarding broadening assignment,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Tiffany Bjorklund, military equal opportunity advisor for U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF AF) hosted the Vicenza military community Equal Opportunity Leaders Course from Aug. 24 to Sept. 1 at Caserma Ederle, bringing together leaders from across Italy and the Horn of Africa for training focused on strengthening command climate and supporting the Military Equal Opportunity Program.
Sixteen students attended, including representatives from the Vicenza and Darby military communities, Naples, Italy, and one participant from Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa. Four SETAF‑AF Soldiers completed the course, highlighting both the broad reach of the command’s area of operation and its investment in developing leaders across multiple theaters.
“When leaders understand how to identify issues early and respond the right way, they help build trust inside the unit,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Joseph Bright, SETAF AF’s chief advisor for military equal opportunity. “That trust is what keeps Soldiers engaged and ready to perform.”
Equal opportunity leaders serve as key connectors at the unit level. They help commanders and equal opportunity advisors maintain climates rooted in dignity, respect and fairness. They are often the first people Soldiers approach when they have concerns, making their training essential to early intervention and problem resolution.
“The course gave leaders practical tools to support Soldiers and strengthen communication within their formations,” Bright added.
The course curriculum blended classroom instruction with scenario-based exercises. Students learned how to recognize behaviors that can erode cohesion, how to respond to complaints and how to guide Soldiers toward the right resources.
“This class distinguished themselves through their willingness to be open minded, to get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” said Bjorklund.
Along with Bjorklund, U.S. Army Master Sgt. Ashly Tristan, an equal opportunity advisor with U.S. Army Europe and Africa, traveled from Germany to lead the training. Their instruction focused on helping leaders understand that equal opportunity is not only a regulatory requirement but also a leadership responsibility tied directly to readiness.
The instructors noted that course participants become stronger leaders who can identify early indicators of harmful behaviors and address them with education, empathy and respect.
“The sixteen graduates of Equal Opportunity Leaders Course Class 26 307 leave this course as true ‘change agents,’” said Bjorklund. “They are the eyes and ears of their commanders, committed to strengthening unity within their formations and ensuring every servicemember is developed and utilized based on merit, performance and potential.”
Bjorklund noted that commanders clearly selected participants for their professionalism, integrity and the trust placed in them to strengthen their organizations’ equal opportunity programs.
“Equal opportunity is about people,” Bright added. “If leaders take care of their Soldiers, the unit becomes stronger. That’s what this course is designed to support.”
The course concluded with a graduation ceremony at the Mission Training Complex on Caserma Ederle. U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Lorenzo Souza, senior enlisted leader for SETAF AF Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, served as the guest speaker. He thanked the students for their commitment and highlighted the importance of caring for Soldiers as a foundation for readiness.
“Leaders who invest in their people build teams that can handle pressure and stay resilient,” Souza said. “This course helps leaders understand how to create an environment where every Soldier feels valued.”
Souza also noted that SETAF AF’s mission requires leaders who understand people as well as operations. He said leaders trained through this course will help maintain a ready and resilient force capable of performing in demanding environments across Europe and Africa.
SETAF-AF’s sustained attention to climate issues throughout the year has helped keep concerns at the lowest appropriate level. This progress positions newly trained equal opportunity leaders to work directly with commanders to promote the Military Equal Opportunity Program while supporting the significant policy changes expected with the upcoming release of Army Regulation 600 28, which provides instruction on Army personnel management.
“The early education these course graduates will deliver across their formations will build cohesive teams and enhance mission readiness,” said Bjorklund. “Their impact strengthens the community and echoes long after their MEO tour.”
The Equal Opportunity Leaders Course reflects SETAF AF’s commitment to developing leaders who are prepared to support Soldiers, strengthen unity and promote a climate where all personnel are treated with dignity and respect.
“The next step we’re looking forward to is completion of SETAF‑AF’s Defense Organizational Climate Survey,” Bright said. “Your participation is essential to shaping the climate of your organization and ensuring leaders act on what matters most to you.”
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
