Equal Opportunity Office

Equal Opportunity Contact Form

Equal Opportunity Office Emblem

The Indiana National Guard Equal Employment Manager serves as the principal advisor to the adjutant general and manager of the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program. The program includes special emphasis programs, the affirmative employment plan, alternate dispute resolution and the complaints processing system for the Army and Air National Guard. Military equal opportunity (MEO) officers and state human resources/equal opportunity (EO) personnel assist to develop equal opportunity programs for the Army and Air National Guard. Contact the Equal Employment Manager at 317-247-3237.

Diversity Day

The Indiana National Guard hosted its annual Cultural Diversity Day, Aug. 31, 2023, at the Indiana War Memorial in Indianapolis. Military and civilian members of the Indiana National Guard created displays to honor and celebrate a variety of different cultures with free food tasting, music and entertainment. Leadership presented awards to the most educational, most creative and best overall displays. (Indiana National Guard photos by Sgt. Kelsea Cook)

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Indiana National Guard’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives promote a cultural climate that allows people to maximize their potential by embracing each other’s holistic characteristics. Diversity is not a program or policy – it is a state of being. Diverse experiences, perspectives and backgrounds can empower us to incorporate fresh approaches and new ideas in our work, sparking innovation that enables us to more effectively perform the duties entrusted by our government and fellow citizens.

The INNG’s Joint Diversity Executive Council (JDEC), comprised of senior leaders appointed by the adjutant general, meets quarterly to discuss diversity and inclusion efforts internal and external to the Indiana National Guard and to measure progress of our diversity strategic plan.

Diversity	Equity	Inclusion
All attributes, experiences, cultures, characteristics, and backgrounds of the Total Force which are reflective of the Nation we serve and enable the Army to deploy, fight, and win.	The fair treatment, access, opportunity, choice, and advancement for all Soldiers and Civilians while striving to identify and encourage drivers and identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of the Total Force.	The process of valuing and integrating each individual's perspectives, ideas and contributions into the way an organization functions and makes decisions; enabling workforce members to contribute to their full potential in focused pursuit of organizational objectives.

Equal Employment Program
Equal Opportunity
Reasonable Accomodations
No FEAR Act
Policy Letters
Sexual Harassment Reporting

The Indiana National Guard Equal Employment Program protects each of us from discrimination in employment, promotion, training and other personnel actions regardless of race, color, religion, and gender, including sexual harassment, national origin, age, mental and/or physical disability or reprisal for participating in a protected Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) activity. Our office works to educate leaders about the advantages of maintaining of a workplace that is free of unlawful discrimination. We strive daily to meet all obligations under federal and state equal opportunity and affirmative action laws and regulations.

Alternative Dispute Resolution
The Indiana National Guard supports Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to the maximum extent practicable and at the earliest possible stage to prevent, minimize, and resolve disputes between or among the agency and its employees and other parties. ADR helps to achieve mutually acceptable and cost-effective outcomes and to accomplish business efficiently, economically, and productively. Participation in the ADR process is voluntary and information shared during the proceeding is confidential.

Special Emphasis Program
The Special Emphasis Programs (SEP) were established as part of the overall affirmative employment program. Within the concept of the EEO program and the Federal Merit System, the programs emphasize the enhancement of employment and advancement opportunities for minorities, women, and people with disabilities. The term “Special Emphasis Programs,” refers specifically to employment related programs which focus special attention on groups that are conspicuously absent or underrepresented in a specific occupational category or grade level in the agency’s workforce. These programs increase diversity awareness and assist us in achieving our affirmative employment goals by:

Identifying and evaluating potential barriers to the hiring and advancement of women, minorities, and people with disabilities
Identifying and publicizing opportunities for educational and career development
Annually observing and commemorating the achievements and contributions of each group, promoting ethnic and cultural awareness

Filing an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Complaint
Federal civilians and applicants for employment who believe they have been discriminated against in employment may file an EEO complaint. Please visit the EEO office for advice. Complainants must adhere to strict time requirements for filing complaints. Please see EEO complaint process below for more details.

EEO Directives, Procedures and Forms

The Indiana National Guard is committed to the success and well-being of our citizen soldiers, airmen and civilian employees. Our Equal Opportunity mission is to ensure combat readiness by fostering an environment of respect, growth and human dignity through compliance with federal law and applicable military regulations. It is our policy and practice to provide equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.

Filing an equal opportunity (EO) complaint
All INNG personnel serving in Title 32 status (a military pay status) who believe they have been discriminated against based upon race, color, religion, sex-gender (includes sexual harassment) or sexual orientation, national origin or reprisal based on EO activity may file a request to resolve the discrimination allegations. Your chain of command is the primary channel for resolving discrimination complaints. Complainants and commanders must adhere to strict time requirements for filing complaints. Please see EO complaint procedures below for more details.

The Indiana National Guard provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a job, the work environment or the way things usually are done that enables a qualified individual with a disability to enjoy equal employment. During the job application process, please immediately notify the point-of-contact identified in the job announcement if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or questionnaire process.

In 2002, Congress enacted the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act. Known as the No FEAR Act, its purpose is to require federal agencies to be accountable for violations of antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws, and to ensure that employees, applicants for employment and former employees know their rights under the law.

In the policy letters below, the Indiana National Guard Adjutant General addresses the organization’s guiding principles regarding diversity, sexual harassment, equal opportunity and equal employment opportunity:

Harassment complaints, to include witnessing or experiencing sexual harassment, are reported through the EO/EEO program. Please contact your unit EO representative to file a complaint. If you would prefer to file a complaint outside your unit, you may contact the State Equal Employment Manager at 317-247-3237. For more information, the National EO information line is available at 1-703-607-7756.

Harassment and Sexual Harassment Reporting

If you are reporting sexual harassment with a sexual assault component, please contact the Indiana National Guard Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program (SAPR) 24/7-monitored number at 317-247-3172, in order to maintain confidentiality while determining what resource is best for you.