HRT On-Course to Enhance Guard’s Well Being

Sgt Sheba McNair (standing) collects ideas and suggestions from team members (l-r) Sgt 1st Class Samuel Cherry, Chief Grover Henderson, and Lt. Col. Norman Bell as the group discusses one of the four strategic opportunities established during the recent HRT meeting.

The Georgia Department of Defense Human Relations Team (HRT) has set its sights on becoming the “go-to” organization for virtually all personnel issues affecting the care and well-being of Georgia Guardsman.

Twenty-two members of the team met recently to put into motion this ambitious plan and to map out strategies. Once adopted by Human Resources Office (HRO) officials, the plan will become an integral part of the overall strategic plan for the Georgia DOD.

“My vision for the HRT is that it becomes the primary human relations focal point for Guardsman and commanders whenever issues involving our soldiers and airmen arise,” said Col Steve Joyce, HRT Chairman and HRO chief.

The team is comprised of 38 Georgia Army and Air Guard members, a State Defense Force representative and a civilian DOD employee. Members are enlisted and officer and from every part of the state.

Through quarterly meetings held around Georgia, HRT members meet regularly with subject matter experts to discuss new and existing programs and to identify issues or challenges to the workforce. For example, at the recent meeting in Peachtree City, team members were briefed on current reintegration programs, policies and challenges facing Soldiers and Airmen returning from deployments, and their families.

Following a number of meetings, four strategic HRT priorities have been identified: These are training, leadership, communications/marketing and funding/resources. HRT members, whose responsibilities already lie in these areas, are now being asked to focus on opportunities and strategies to meet these goals.

“Awareness of the HRT and its role in the well being of the soldier/airman and the organization may be our greatest challenge right now,” according to Lt. Col. Ken Baldowski, GA DOD public affairs officer.

“Hopefully this will soon change,” said Air Guard Command Chief, Betty Morgan. “We want to be seen as the eyes and ears of the (Georgia) National Guard and as a resource for both Guardsmen and commanders,” she added.

“Commanders should look at the HRT as a valuable tool which to be added to the Commanders toolkit,” said Col. Joyce.

Team members represent the state’s top equal employment opportunity, MEO, seniorhuman relations advisors, along with the Air Command Chief, Army Command Sergeant Major, and key operations personnel in the GA DOD.

“There have been several important human relations initiatives and significant accomplishments resulting from the HRT,” explained to Lt. Col. Jay Peno, deputy human resource officer, who was among the original HRT team members.

“Early successes of the HRT,” said Peno, “include assisting with dozens of unit climate surveys, resolving numerous human relations issues, the creation of the focus group concept s now in used statewide to help foster open communications necessary for successful conflict resolution; the development diversity and statewide demographics; and the preparation of TAG policy letters on issues of equal opportunity and sexual harassment,”

Additionally, the HRT has been educated extensively on diversity management using experienced instructors trained by the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute and are in the process completing the Diversity Strategic Plan for the Army and Air National Guard. It has expanded the outreach and mentoring program using HRT as the driving force to influence commands to enact formal mentoring programs.

“I am confident that our team members recognize the areas in the organization where improvements should be made to enhance a Guardsman’s experience,” said Joyce.

“Our role then is to translate those opportunities into useful programs and initiatives that align with the overall objectives of the Georgia Dept of Defense. I believe we are on course to do just that,” he added.