USAFE Diversity, inclusion council hosts German counterparts

Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
German Armed Forces Lt. Col. Michael Brendel, Leadership Development and Civic Education Center Koblenz senior civil servant (left), shows training slides to Brig. Gen. Bradley Spacy, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa director of Logistics, Installations and Mission Support and Diversity and Inclusion Council chair, during a Diversity and Inclusion Council meeting June 26 on Ramstein.
German Armed Forces Lt. Col. Michael Brendel, Leadership Development and Civic Education Center Koblenz senior civil servant (left), shows training slides to Brig. Gen. Bradley Spacy, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa director of Logistics, Installations and Mission Support and Diversity and Inclusion Council chair, during a Diversity and Inclusion Council meeting June 26 on Ramstein.

The U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Diversity and Inclusion Council hosted three German armed forces diversity officers to speak on how the German armed forces operate their programs June 26 on Ramstein.

Formed in 2012, the council supports the headquarters’ diversity initiatives by promoting awareness and value of diversity and inclusion across their major commands. The council oversees wing councils, educates senior leaders on diversity and partners with host nations to share initiatives to educate service members.

“We began this initiative three years ago and today we are helping build on the fifth tenant, partnering with our host nations,” said Steven Von Neumann, USAFE-AFAFRICA Warrior Preparation Center lead action officer and USAFE-AFAFRICA Diversity and Inclusion Council member. “This is important because host nations are doing things differently, and there are definitely things we can build on, expand our own efforts and share what we think are best practices.”

The team of German officers briefed councils throughout Europe as well. They showed how German officers and enlisted members are trained through a variety of briefings, computer-based training and seminars.

“Speaking to Americans about diversity is very interesting for me and very important,” said German armed forces Lt. Col. Michael Brendel, Leadership Development and Civic Education Center Koblenz senior civil servant. “It’s important for me to exchange knowledge and experiences made in diversity. I hope we will continue our mutual work.”

The meetings left the doors open for more opportunities to work together with potential visits and exchanges of ideas and service members.