BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Buckley Space Force Base’s no-fail missions demand readiness. The Equal Opportunity (EO) office directly supports this readiness. Beyond processing administrative forms, EO is a proactive resource dedicated to building a culture of respect and professionalism. By preventing unlawful discrimination and harassment, and educating personnel, the office builds the cohesion necessary for mission success.
Our power is our people. The base invests in them; in return, their dedication enables our nation’s critical missile warning and space communication capabilities. Our people are our most important power system; the harder units train and take care of their personnel, the easier the fight becomes because readiness is our insurance.
At the heart of Buckley Space Force Base’s EO office is a commitment to fostering a positive change. According to Staff Sgt. Donald Harris, Space Base Delta 2 EO Practitioner, that commitment stems from a “passion of helping others feel seen, heard, and respected.”
Equal Opportunity’s mission is simple but powerful: foster a workplace built on dignity, respect, and afforded equal opportunity and right to nondiscrimination. This involves ensuring that every member of Team Buckley is treated equally and can thrive in a positive environment. To achieve this, EO offers a wide-range of resources, like conducting briefings at Newcomers’ orientations, First Term Enlisted Course, Airman & Guardian Leadership School, and commander's calls. They also conduct out and about unit visits, sensing sessions, and provide specialized training tailored to specific unit needs.
While often perceived as solely a complaint processing center, EO professionals encourage individuals to reach out when something feels wrong, even if they are unsure whether it rises to the level of a formal complaint. When someone contacts the office, the focus is on taking care of the individual and understanding the situation. Personnel discuss confidentiality and help members decide their next steps so they can remain focused on the mission.
Instead of "getting people in trouble," the goal is to educate, prevent, and support. Whether a member chooses an informal or formal route, EO ensures fairness by acting as an impartial fact-finder. They gather evidence for commanders and legal teams to review, and actively promote dispute resolution—like mediation—to resolve conflicts fairly.
“We always try to resolve everything at the lowest level,” explained SMSgt Melissa Dixon, SBD 2 EO director. This approach reinforces the responsibility of commanders and supervisors to intervene when necessary, ensuring concerns are addressed at the right level and preventing issues from escalating unnecessarily.
“We will always get people to the right office, regardless of where they originally seek help,” Dixon emphasized. “This ensures individuals receive the necessary support, even if their issue is outside the direct scope of our office.”
Installation readiness requires removing any barriers that restrict mission execution, including workplace conflicts. Having processes in place to address unlawful discrimination ensures that the workforce powering Buckley's missions remains cohesive and efficient. By proactively addressing issues, educating service members, and taking care of the force, EO ensures people are engaged at work and always ready for the fight.
“Empowering people to have a voice that they didn’t feel that they had is what motivates me to do this kind of work,” Dixon said. “I don’t want anyone to feel like they have to deal with issues and bottle them up. You have an outlet. You have rights for a reason, and I love helping people understand their rights so they can not only get re-focused on the mission, but also on themselves as an individual.”
If you experience or witness unlawful discrimination or harassment, Equal Opportunity is a resource available to you. You can contact EO by calling (720) 847-6250, emailing 460sw.eo.wf@us.af.mil, or stopping by in person.