DAFI 36-2710: EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM

DAFI 36-2710 — index record

Number	DAFI 36-2710
Title	EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM
Published	January 20, 2026
Certified current	January 20, 2026
Guidance memorandum	July 28, 2026
Office of primary responsibility	SAF/MR
Issued by	Headquarters, Department of the Air Force
Status on the index	Current
Last index action	UpdateContact, September 29, 2026
Source index	Air Force e-Publishing
Index last read	October 20, 2026

Copied from Air Force e-Publishing (index). The publication itself is the authority; this page does not summarize or interpret it. Verify the current edition on the index before acting.

From the publication itself

Text below is lifted mechanically from the official PDF (192 pages, read October 20, 2026) with no editing or interpretation. Quote the document, not this page.

Purpose, in the publication’s words

This instruction implements Air Force Policy Directive (DAFPD) 36-27, Equal Opportunity and is consistent with Department of Defense Directive (DODD) 1020.02E, Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity in the DoD. This instruction provides directive guidance and procedures in implementing the Department of the Air Force’s (DAF) civilian equal employment opportunity (EEO) and military equal opportunity (MEO) policies and programs. This publication applies to military members subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) in Regular Air Force (RegAF), United States Space Force (USSF), the Air Force Reserve (AFR), the Air National Guard (ANG) under Title 10 United States Code (USC), United States Air Force Academy Cadets, eligible senior Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets, and all DAF civilian personnel (except National Guard Technicians who are governed by National Guard Bureau (NGB) regulations, directives, and principles) subject to civilian administrative and/or disciplinary action under

Summary of changes, as printed

This document has been revised and should be completely reviewed. Changes include: updates to comply with executive orders, roles and responsibilities of DAF stakeholders, incorporates the Office of Special Trial Counsel (OSTC) in substantiated formal complaints of sexual harassment, updates language and timelines related to MEO complaint appeals, training requirements, and updates referenced in Attachment 1. It also removes DAF policies on Affirmative Employment Program, barrier analysis obligation, Special Emphasis Programs, personal assistance services, reasonable accommodation of disability, training for Affirmative Employment Program Managers, Special Emphasis Program Managers, Disability Program Managers, DAF Barrier Analysis Working Group, and Installation Barrier Analysis Working Group, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility reporting requirements, which are now published in DAFI 36-2711, Affirmative Employment and Disability Programs Policy. All references to Headquarters Air Force (HAF) include the Secretariat, the Air Staff, and the Office of the Chief of Space Operations (“Space Staff”).

Attachment: Guidance Changesp. 2
Chapter 2—ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESp. 13
Chapter 5—EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND TREATMENT INCIDENTSp. 174
Chapter 6—EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TRAINING AND EDUCATIONp. 184
Chapter 7—CAREER FIELD MANAGEMENT AND TRAININGp. 190
Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 217

All 120 contents entries

Attachment: Guidance Changesp. 2
1.1. Program Overviewp. 9
1.2. Program Purposep. 9
1.3. Program Scope and Applicabilityp. 9
1.5. The Department of the Air Force Equal Opportunity Commitment of Servicep. 11
1.6. DAF Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment Hotlinep. 12
Chapter 2—ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESp. 13
2.2. Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel, and Services (AF/A1)p. 16
2.3. Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Personnel (SF/S1)p. 17
2.4. The General Counselp. 17
2.5. The Judge Advocate General (AF/JA)p. 18
2.6. Office of Special Trial Counsel (OSTC) (SAF/STC)p. 19
2.7. Department of the Air Force Inspector General (SAF/IG)p. 19
2.8. Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection (AF/A4)p. 19
18 June 2026p. 20
2.9. Director of Public Affairs (SAF/PA)p. 20
2.10. Chief, Air Force Reserve (AF/RE)p. 20
2.11. Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC)p. 20
2.12. Chief, National Guard Bureau (CNGB)p. 20
2.13. Air National Guard Readiness Center Equal Opportunity Office (ANGRC/EO)p. 20
2.14. Air Force Personnel Center Commander (AFPC/CC)p. 21
2.15. Headquarters Air Education and Training Command (AETC)p. 27
2.16. MAJCOM/FLDCOM Commanderp. 28
2.17. MAJCOM/FLDCOM Equal Opportunity Functional Managerp. 29
2.18. Installation Commanderp. 32
2.20. Installation Equal Opportunity Directorsp. 38
2.21. Equal Opportunity Practitionersp. 44
2.23. Installation Staff Judge Advocates (SJA)p. 48
2.24. Installation Civilian Personnel Section (CPS)p. 49
3.1. Overviewp. 50
3.2. Applicabilityp. 50
3.3. Complaint Process and Timelines Overviewp. 51
3.4. Anonymityp. 52
3.5. Aggrieved Individuals and Complainants Rights and Responsibilitiesp. 52
3.6. Impartialityp. 52
3.7. Connect to Carep. 53
3.8. Safeguarding Privacyp. 53
3.9. Intake and Initiation of the EEO Complaint Processp. 53
3.10. Pre-Complaint Processp. 55
3.11. Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Pre-Complaint Complaint Processp. 56
3.12. Final Interview and Notice of Right to File a Formal Complaintp. 59
3.13. Counselor’s Reportp. 60
3.14. Sexual Harassment Complaintsp. 60
3.15. Formal Complaint Process Pursuant to 29 CFR Part 1614p. 77
3.16. EEOC Hearingsp. 85
3.17. Final Agency Actionsp. 86
3.18. Final Agency Decision Without a Hearingp. 87
3.19. Compliance with EEOC Orders and DAF Final Agency Actionsp. 88
3.20. Negotiation of Settlementsp. 88
3.21. Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Formal Complaint Processp. 91
3.22. Formal Complaint Appealsp. 91
3.23. Agency Appealsp. 92
3.24. Requests for Reconsiderationp. 92
3.25. Class Action Complaintsp. 93
3.26. Mixed Case EEO Complaints and Appealsp. 96
3.27. Conflicts of Interestp. 98
3.28. EEO Complaints in Joint Service Environmentsp. 99
3.29. Deployed Environmentsp. 100
3.30. Complaints Pertaining to DAF Programs and Activitiesp. 101
3.31. EEO Complaints Involving Non-Referral and Non-Selection of Positionsp. 102
3.32. Prohibited Personnel Practicesp. 102
3.33. Non-EO Contact Referralsp. 103
3.34. Connect to Carep. 103
3.35. Distress and Risk to Self or Othersp. 103
3.36. Suspected Criminal or Extremist Activitiesp. 103
3.37. DAF Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment Hotline Proceduresp. 104
4.1. Overviewp. 105
4.2. Program Eligibilityp. 105
4.3. Equal Opportunity General Assistancep. 106
4.4. Third Party Reportingp. 106
4.5. Military Equal Opportunity (MEO) Complaint Options and Timelinesp. 106
4.6. Confidentiality and Privacyp. 108
4.7. Complainant Rights and Responsibilitiesp. 108
4.8. Acceptance of MEO Complaintsp. 108
4.9. Maintaining Impartialityp. 109
4.10. Safeguarding Privacyp. 109
4.11. Intake and Initiation of the MEO Complaint Processesp. 110
4.12. Legal Sufficiency Reviewsp. 112
4.13. Informal Complaint Process and Proceduresp. 112
4.16. Anonymous Complaintsp. 153
4.17. MEO Complaint Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (Facilitation Only)p. 155
4.18. Connect to Care and Referral Typesp. 157
4.19. Receiving Referrals from Other Agenciesp. 163
4.20. Complex Issuesp. 165
4.21. MEO Complaintsp. 166
4.22. MEO Complaints againstp. 168
4.24. DAF Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment Hotline Proceduresp. 168
4.25. MEO Complaints in Joint Service Environmentsp. 170
4.26. Deployed Environmentsp. 172
Chapter 5—EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND TREATMENT INCIDENTSp. 174
5.1. Overviewp. 174
5.2. Scopep. 174
5.3. Purposep. 174
5.4. Reporting EOTIsp. 174
5.5. Suspected Criminal or Extremist Activitiesp. 175
5.6. EOTI Classificationp. 176
5.7. EOTI Notificationsp. 177
5.8. EOTI Clarificationp. 179
5.9. EOTI Clarification Reportp. 180
5.10. EOTIs Involving Senior Officialsp. 180
5.11. EOTIs Involving Joint Services and/or Tenant Commands/Organizationsp. 181
5.12. Social Media Incidentsp. 181
5.13. EOTI Documentationp. 183
Chapter 6—EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TRAINING AND EDUCATIONp. 184
6.1. Overviewp. 184
6.2. Key Personnel Briefingp. 184
6.3. First Duty Station Trainingp. 185
6.4. Newcomer’s Orientationp. 185
6.6. Unlawful Discriminatory Harassment Response Trainingp. 186
6.8. Prohibited Harassment (Bullying and Hazing) Response Trainingp. 186
6.9. Sexual Harassment Confidential Reporting for Military Members Trainingp. 186
6.11. Sexual Harassment Response Awareness Educationp. 187
6.12. MEO Training at Pre-Commissioning Programsp. 187
6.13. Military Equal Opportunity Training at Initial Entry Trainingp. 187
6.15. Training Accessibility for DAF Civilian Employeesp. 187
6.16. Training Resources and Proceduresp. 188
Chapter 7—CAREER FIELD MANAGEMENT AND TRAININGp. 190
7.1. Overviewp. 190
7.2. Career Field Eligibilityp. 190
Attachment 1—GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 217

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DAFI 36-2710

DAFI 36-2710 — index record

From the publication itself

Purpose, in the publication’s words

Summary of changes, as printed

Contents

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