The Department of the Air Force’s kicked off the second Inspector General Independent Disparity Review on April 9, sending surveys to Airmen and Guardians, and conducting interviews that are focused on barriers to service that some faced based on gender and ethnicity.
This second review is focused on disparities Hispanics, Latinos, Asians, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders face, along with gender issues. It follows the first review, which focused on barriers to service and military justice inequalities that Black Airmen face.
“The review we conducted last year and the follow up efforts we’ve taken since have really opened the door to meaningful, enduring, and sustainable change in the areas of racial disparity,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. said in a release. “But we have a lot more work to do, and the overwhelming responses we had from our first review indicate that our Airmen and Guardians want to have a voice in the solution. I am 100 percent focused on ensuring we follow through with lasting results.”
The review, which was announced in February, began with anonymous online surveys starting April 9. Additionally, USAF will use targeted interviews, targeted small-group surveys, and a review of data, according to the release. The review focuses on both USAF and U.S. Space Force personnel. The Department of the Air Force Inspector General will release its findings this summer.
“Diversity and inclusion underpins the readiness of our Air and Space Forces,” said Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond in the release. “This disparity review across gender, race, and ethnicity opens the aperture, allowing us to dig deeper into an issue that affects all of our Guardians and Airmen. We will continue to solicit and hear the experiences, perspectives, and concerns of those who serve. Together, we will create an environment where Guardians and Airmen can thrive, and where they are only defined by their excellence.”
The first review produced a 150-page IG report, with 123,000 survey responses and 138 in-person sessions. Black Airmen reported a distrust of their chain of command, military justice inequalities, along with other administrative issues.