Lines that Divide

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Angelita Colón-Francia
  • Public Affairs
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. --  Dobbins Air Reserve Base Airmen and civilians are participating in Cross Cultural Communication Awareness training this month to enhance their understanding of different cultures and to promote harmony among coworkers.

Coined the "Big Elephant Briefing," the training was intended to encourage conversation among Airmen and civilians." When faced with big problems, the big elephant in the room - no one readily wants to deal with it," said training leader Mr. G. Lee Floyd, director of Equal Opportunity Programs for Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command. "This training encourages dialogue about the barriers to cross communication, assumptions and beliefs."

The 94th Airlift Wing commander, Col. Timothy E. Tarchick, opened and closed multiple sessions for Traditional Reservists, Air Reserve Technicians and civilian personnel. "The reason we're here is because there are issues we need to discuss."

A single voice speaks over the images of men and women of various races and ages in a video. The voice asked those viewers to think about their beliefs, values and even biases while considering statements such as, "Would you judge me because I'm different from you? We are all of different values, beliefs, needs, circumstances but we are all similar. We all want to be treated with dignity and worth."

To build awareness and trust, group and one-on-one conversations were essential to giving participants an opportunity to voice their opinions and to listen to the opinions of others.

"No one of us is better than the other," said Mr. Floyd. "It is when we think that way that we get into trouble."

Master Sgt. Marilyn Rodgers of the 94th Civil Engineer Squadron said she liked the openness of the conversations. "I think it's important to get issues out in the open so that if there is a problem we can head it off and find a solution that will help Airmen perform better together."

A key message intended for Airmen and civilian personnel to take away from the training was that they can and should approach the chain of command if they believe they've been treated wrongly.

"This is very important to me," said Colonel Tarchick. "We are all Air Force blue. Moreover, we will continue to treat each other as members of the Air Force family, with dignity and respect."