EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFF BASE

procedures. Such reviews detect racial, religious, ethnic, cultural, or sexual bias affecting either the accusation or the punishment phase of military justice. SERVICE AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES Service and recreational facilities must meet the needs of all segments of the Navy community. Commands must pay special attention to the possibility of discriminatory practices in the operation of exchanges, commissaries, service clubs, and recreational facilities. Segregation, lack of tolerance of cultural preferences, or discriminatory practices in command facilities are inconsistent with equal opportunity. Navy exchange facilities provide a variety of products. These products include items purchased by minority and female personnel and dependents, such as special categories of cosmetics, books, magazines, and records. Barber and beauty shops employ personnel trained and qualified to serve all Navy members and their dependents. HOUSING REFERRAL OFFICE The Department of Defense (DoD) has established housing referral offices at locations with large concentrations of military families. DoD has also established housing referral offices at locations where housing discrimination may exist because of race, color, creed, or national origin. The Navy requires that all personnel offices include the following statement in orders for detachment and TAD of more than 30 days in any one place: “You are directed to report to the appropriate Housing Referral Office prior to negotiating any agreement for off-base housing.” The HRO provides information about government housing and the type, cost, and availability of private housing. The HRO also maintains a list of facilities banned as housing for military personnel because of discriminatory practices. Department of the Navy (DoN) policy supports the Federal Fair Housing legislation through its efforts to ensure equal opportunity for available housing. It makes ev e r y e ff o r t t o e l i m i n a t e o ff - b a s e h o u s i n g discrimination toward DoD personnel because of sex, race, color, religion, or national origin. It tries to ensure DoD personnel who meet ordinary standards of character and financial responsibility can obtain off-base housing as easily as any other person. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFF BASE Discrimination in the civilian community has an adverse effect on the welfare and morale of military personnel and their dependents. Consequently, discrimination off base is harmful to the military e ff e c t iv e n e s s o f a c o m m a n d . D e a l i n g w i t h discrimination in the civilian community is more difficult than within a command. However, the Navy deals affirmatively with such problems to ensure equal treatment for service members and their dependents in nearby communities. Commands can take a number of actions to promote equal opportunity for its members in the civilian community. At some installations, problems of mutual concern to the base and the community are discussed on an informal but regular basis. The Navy has established command-community relations committees as another approach. Whatever approach they use, commands make every effort to eliminate off-base discrimination for military personnel and their dependents. Military personnel moving into or changing their place of residence may not enter into rental, purchase, or lease arrangements with facilities under restrictive sanctions. However, such sanctions do not apply to personnel who may be residing in the facility at the time the sanction is imposed. Personnel who intentionally, and contrary to instructions, take residence in restricted facilities are subject to disciplinary action and loss of basic allowance for quarters (BAQ). Equal opportunity also applies to public facilities, such as schools, parks, playgrounds, libraries, and hotels. Any person who receives discriminatory treatment in such places can seek relief through military or civilian channels. Normally, you should go through military channels (your chain of command). That gives your command the opportunity to try to get the facility to comply with the law. 1-16 Student Notes: