CJTF-1 Soldier earns FORSCOM EOA of the Year

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan—Soldiers join the Army from different parts of the world, trusting they will be treated fair and equal regardless of race, gender or religion.

U.S. Army Master Sgt. George Parks, a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., upholds these values and gives all his time and dedication to any Soldier who walks into his office, as the Combined Joint Task Force-1 Equal Opportunity Advisor.

Parks said he began his career as an automated logistical specialist and he has been involved with the equal opportunity program for the past two-and-a-half years.

“Any and every assignment I’ve ever had, I’ve given 110 percent,” Parks added.

Parks’ hard work paid off this past year, as he won the 2011 United States Army Forces Command Equal Opportunity Advisor of the Year award.

“Master Sgt. Parks' involvement in the community and command was quickly noted,” said Sergeant Maj. Carl Downey, FORSCOM Equal Opportunity and Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention programs sergeant major.

Downey was one of several senior NCOs and officers that comprised the board that reviewed and selected all nominee packets this year.

“A whole Soldier concept is utilized when selecting the FORSCOM EOA of the year which include civilian education, Army Physical Fitness Test performance, Non-commissioned Officer Evaluation Reports, community involvement, and contributions to the Army, command, Soldiers and Family members,” explained Downey on the criteria for selection.

The award is given to a nominee who has displayed outstanding leadership qualities and made significant contributions to the human relations and EO programs, which directly impacted the readiness of the organization and the Army.

“He maximized resources, communication outlets, and created a strong bond between the command and local communities,” said Downey. “He ensured that Soldiers and Family members were educated and have resources readily available to them, assisted commanders in ensuring an environment that exemplified Comprehensive Soldier Fitness, and preserved the true meaning of ‘all men and women are created equal’ while serving in the greatest Army in the world.”

Although Parks usually deals with issues pertaining to race, gender or religion, he has also been an outlet for Soldiers to go to when they have other issues.

“Some Soldiers when they come in our door, they just want somebody to listen to them,” said Parks. “They’re not always looking for answers, sometimes I just let them talk and they’ll say thank you for listening, get up and walk out.”

Furthermore, Parks reaches out to the surrounding communities.

“I’ve done a lot of volunteer EO work in the civilian community, bringing the military and the community together,” Parks added.

In addition to winning the award, Parks has been nominated to compete for the Army Equal Opportunity Advisor of the Year award.

Parks said this job has definitely taught him how to be a better leader.

“I would say for the most part every leader should have an EO background, this job has opened my eyes a great deal and has made me a better leader,” said Parks.