Getting to know equal opportunity Published May 15, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Janelle Patiño 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Team Fairchild's equal opportunity office offers Airmen a chance to get to know the EO mission close-up by way of an EO Shadow Program. The EO Shadow Program is a guided process that fosters the Air Force Wingman concept by development and progression of newly assigned EO staff, as well as accelerating professional growth of experienced EO professionals. "We want to have exposure for what we do and not just complaints," said Senior Master Sgt. Daphne Soto, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing equal opportunity director. "We offer field support, coaching and on-the-job training by seasoned Air Force EO practitioners." The program is voluntary and designed as a valuable and inexpensive method of building a new perspective of on-the-job training for assigned EO directors and specialists. "The program focuses on intervention and teaching not just Airmen, but also civilians, on how to help others without having to go to the EO office," said Soto. "We are here to provide a hands-on experience of what we do in the EO office." The goal of the program is to mentor Airmen, enhance and increase professional competency, increase morale and boost self-confidence, develop interpersonal working relationships and more. "The idea is to share best practices, influence and lead positively," she said. "It's also designed to inspire and encourage those who are new to the EO world or simply for those who would like to experience the various EO processes." Civilian or military personnel over the age of 18 are welcome to join the program. "At Fairchild, we have opened up the program to anyone. The only thing we ask is for them to have an upstanding record," explained Soto. "They also have to coordinate it with their first sergeant and/or commander through an interview." According to Soto, the program helps develop individuals with the mindset of treating everyone with dignity and worth, knowing how to resolve issues and knowing how to enable effective communication. Airman Brittany Gibson, a volunteer with the EO shadow program since March 2014, and has learned that the EO office does much more than just handling complaints. According to her, they also do a lot of outreach and support diversity by celebrating different cultures. "It's important to know about EO because their main goal is to make sure you're working in a healthy and fair environment," Gibson said. "I recommend the program because it gives people the ability to see the Air Force from a different perspective, making Airmen more diverse." If interested in joining the EO shadow program, visit or call the EO office at (509) 247-2555.