DEIA Initiative in the Aerospace Systems Directorate

In 2021 the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Aerospace Systems Directorate (RQ) initiated an internal Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiative to support 2600 military, civilian, and contractor personnel across three geographically separated RQ worksite locations in Ohio, Tennessee, and California. RQ DEIA is led by an Executive Level Officer and is supported by passionate employees from each of the Directorate’s 11 Divisions, forming the RQ DEIA Council. RQ’s DEIA mission is motivated by a commitment to identify and remove systemic and institutional barriers, committed to empowering a welcoming and respectful learning and working environment where everyone feels they belong. Engaging the organization at all levels, representing diverse perspectives and empowered to institute organization-wide DEIA impact, examine all components of our framework, working through discomforts and delivering a sustainable, measurable and attainable action that directly and positively supports the RQ mission.

The DEIA Council currently hosts 4 Action Committees supported by diverse and passionate employees: Equity and Accessibility, Physical and Psychological Safety, Recruitment, and Retention. The DEIA Council Action Committees are tackling institutional barriers such as, WWII era infrastructure that is not equitable and accessible, recruiting a diverse work force, retaining highly qualified personnel, improving workforce understanding and access to reasonable accommodations, increasing developmental opportunities, and much more.

Recent successes from Allyship and Mental Health First Aid training have started to affect the RQ culture in positive ways, showing immediate impacts on retention and workforce morale. These efforts are only the beginning. The Aerospace Systems Directorate is dedicated to engraining equity and accessibility throughout the workplace, driving diversity, increasing inclusion, and opening opportunities for authentic belonging. Our work has just begun.