Diversity & Inclusion:

What It Is,
Why We Care,
& What We Can Do
Squadron ## D&I Reps
[fill with own names]

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 Semester Overview
n 7 Sept (Today): Setting the Foundation
n What is Diversity?
n What is Inclusion?
n How Does D&I Pertain to us as Cadets and as (Future) Officers?
n What Can I Do to Foster Inclusion?

n 21 Oct: Stereotypes, Bias, and Microaggressions

n What are These Things (Within & Around Me)?
n Why Should I Care as a Leader?
n What Can I Do?

n 10 Nov: Deeper-level Discussion [Depends on Our Needs]

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 Overview

n Discussion Ground Rules

n Why D&I?
n Diversity in USAF/USSF
n Inclusion in USAF/USSF
n Activity
n Next Steps
n Debrief
n Resources

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4

Ground Rules for Real Talk

n DEI conversations are often not easy; we will navigate the discomfort together
n What’s said here, stays in the room (let's have each other's backs)
n Non-attribution (don’t share people's stories with their name/identifiers)
n We are doing the best we can – offer respect to those of us still learning
n Listen to understand, not just respond
n Model inclusive leadership practices
n If you’ve spoke twice, allow others to share thoughts before speaking again
n Others?

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 Warming Up: D&I & Me
On a piece of paper, complete the following prompts [4 minutes]
*Be prepared to share your name and your answers with the person next to you*

1. What I think about me in terms of who I am…

2. What others think about me…
3. What might be misunderstood about me…
4. How squad/classmates can help me feel valued…

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 Warm-Up Debrief

1. What are 1-2 words that describe what

this activity was like for you?

2. What was it like to introduce yourself

in this manner, rather than just your
name/major/hometown/extracurriculars?

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 “Why?” D&I is Important at USAFA
n Critical to Developing Warfighters Prepared to Lead the
USAF/USSF with Character *
n How can we Lift Others (motivate our teams) if we don’t
know our people?
n How can we Elevate Performance if we don’t include people
during planning and execution?
n Cadets Practice Dignity & Respect *
n Inclusivity (Leaders/Followers/Teams supports
Commandant’s Warfighter Mentality
n Enhances the Educational Experience of all cadets via
exchange of diverse perspectives
n Diverse teams outperform other teams (Rock & Grant, 2016)

* USAFA Strategic Plan Integrity - Service - Excellence

 “Why?” Diversity & Inclusion (D&I)
is Important to the USAF/USSF
n A diverse and inclusive force is a warfighting imperative! *
n Our USAF/USSF faces a complex environment and tackles “wicked,” complex problems…

n Diversity among Airmen/Guardians opens the door to creative solutions and

provides a competitive edge in air, space, and cyberspace!

* Dept of the Air Force Posture Integrity - Service - Excellence

Statement 2022 8
 Diversity in the USAF / USSF
(And Beyond)…
n Diversity in the USAF / USSF is broadly
defined as:
a composite of individual characteristics,
experiences, and abilities consistent with the
Air Force Core Values and the Mission *

n Diversity includes, but is not limited to:

n Protected Categories (EO): Race, Ethnicity,
Nationality, Color, Religion (or lack thereof),
Sex, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation,
Pregnancy Status
* AFI 36-7001, Diversity Integrity - Service - Excellence 9
 Inclusion in the USAF/USSF/CW…

n An Inclusive Climate *:
n Connects each Airman/Guardian/Cadet to the Organization;
n Encourages Participation, Collaboration, Flexibility, and Fairness;
n Leverages Diversity throughout the organization so all individuals
participate fully and meaningfully

* AFI 36-7001, Diversity Integrity - Service - Excellence 10

 D&I: A Military Necessity
Diversity (Who) Inclusion (How)
Ø Demographic Ø Respect & Dignity
Ø Cognitive Ø Participative Leadership
Ø Structural Ø Manage Conflict
Ø Language, Regional Ø Airmen Valued
Expertise & Culture

Mission Accomplishment
Ø Right Airman/Guardian and Right Environment
Ø Creative Solutions to Complex Problems
Ø Elevated Performance & Meaningful Development

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 Mission Accomplishment Activity

nOne Minute Activity: NO INTERNET ACCESS

nYou will need paper and a writing utensil
nWhen I say go, list as many G-Animals as you
can think of on a piece of paper
nPut your writing utensil down when I say stop

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 Did you get all of these?
n Gaboon n Gerbil Armadillo n Glen Of n Golden n Gopher Flycatcher Eater n Greyhound
Viper n German n Giant Clam Imaal Terrier Retriever Snake n Great Dane n Green Frog n Griffon
n Galapagos Cockroach n Giant Desert n Glow Worm n Golden Saint n Gopher n Great n Green Heron Vulture
Penguin n German Centipede n Gnat n Golden Tortoise Danoodle n Green n Griffonshire
n Galapagos Pinscher n Giant n Goat Shepherd n Gordon n Great Egret Mamba n Grizzly Bear
Shark n German Leopard n Goberian n Golden- Setter n Great n Green Rat n Groenendael
n Galapagos Shepherd Moth n Goblin Shark Crowned n Gorilla Hammerhead Snake n Ground
Tortoise Guide n Giant Panda Flying Fox n Goshawk Shark n Green Snake Snake
n Goby Fish
n Gar n German Bear n Goldendoodl n Gouldian n Great Plains n Green Tree n Groundhog
Sheppit n Goldador e
n Garden Eel n Giant Finch Rat Snake Frog (Woodchuck)
n German Salamander n Golden Dox n Goldfish
n Gargoyle n Grass Carp n Great n Green Tree n Grouper
Gecko Sheprador n Giant n Golden n Goliath Pyrenees
Lancehead n Grass Snake Python n Grouse
n Garter Snake n German Schnauzer Beetle n Grasshopper n Great White n Greenland
Shorthaired n n Golden Lion n n Guinea Fowl
n Gazelle Giant Goliath Frog n Grasshopper Shark Dog
Pointer Schnoodle Tamarin n Guinea Pig
n Gecko n Goliath Mouse n Greater n Greenland
n German n Giant Weta n Golden Tigerfish Swiss n Guppy
n Genet Masked Owl n Gray Fox Shark
Spitz n Gibbon n Gomphotheri n Mountain
n Gentoo Golden Gray Tree n Grey Heron
n Gharial n Gila Monster
n
um Dog
Penguin Newfie Frog n Grey Mouse
n Ghost Catfish n Giraffe n Goonch n Green Lemur
n Geoffroys n Golden n Great Blue Anaconda
Tamarin n Ghost Crab n Glass Frog Catfish Heron n Grey Reef
Oriole n Green Anole
n Gerberian n Giant African n Glass Lizard n Goose n Great Shark
Land Snail n Golden n Green Aphidsn
Shepsky n Glechon Pyrenees n Gopher Crested Grey Seal
n Giant n Green Bee-

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 Mission Debrief

n How many G-Animals did you generate as an individual?

n How many G-Animals did your class/squadron generate?
n What does this activity show us about the power of
combining our diverse perspectives?
n If this were an operational USAF/USSF challenge (think
COA development) what risks might be present if we did
not fully leverage the diversity of our group?

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 What Can I Do Now?
Leading Inward
n Leading Inward
Ø Act Courageously, Learn (Read & Listen), and Self-Reflect
n Curiosity
Ø Seek to Understand, not just Respond
Ø Ask “what’s your experience with ___ ?”
Ø Learn About Other Identities, Backgrounds, Worldviews
n Humility
Ø Take Ownership for Mistakes and Improve Next Time
Ø Seek Feedback, Work to Implement it
Ø Acknowledge Personal Biases/Shortcomings
n Courage “What will hurt us the most is
Ø Act on Principles, even when Uncomfortable not the words of our enemies but
Ø Confront Stereotypes and Microaggressions ASAP the silence of our friends.”
-DRMLKJR

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 What Can I Do Now?
Inclusive Language
n What do people call themselves?
Ø When in doubt, ask
n Include all genders
Ø “Y’all/Team/Squaddies/Everyone/Folks” vs. “you guys”
Ø “Partner” vs. “Boyfriend/Girlfriend”
n “Person-centered” language
Ø “People with disabilities” vs. “the disabled”
Ø “Transgender people/service members” vs. “Transgenders”
n Recognize diverse family formation
Ø “Parents/Caregivers/Guardians” instead of “Mom and Dad”
n Not “Colorblind” or “I don’t see color” or "we're all just people"
n Not Jokes at subordinate’s expense (nicknames)
n Not The “N”, “R”, or “F” words, nor “Terrorist” (for nationality; it happened)
n Most Importantly: Model humility when you get it wrong

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 Wrap Up

1. What is one thing you learned that you will

add to your daily habits to make you a more
inclusive leader of character?

2. What did this session prompt you to want

to learn more about on your own or in future
sessions?
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 Additional Resources

Affinity Groups D&I Cadet Positions

D&I Reading Room D&I Minor

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