The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln’s (CVN 72) Command Managed Equal Opportunity (CMEO) team is dedicated to serving Sailors by addressing command climate issues, such as working conditions and quality of life.

In order to identify new ways to improve morale and make necessary changes, Abraham Lincoln’s CMEO team relies on anonymous surveys.

“CMEOs are the first point of contact for Sailors with equal opportunity or sexual harassment issues or concerns,” said Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Jermaine Joyles, a CMEO team member. “Keep your chain of command informed and give them the opportunity to correct certain forms of discrimination.”

CMEO members also investigate and respond to complaints based on equal opportunity matters in the command. Sailors can go to the team just to get advice on how to resolve the conflict if they feel it’s pushing the boundaries. Sometimes it’s a matter of not knowing who to go to for proper guidance, but the CMEO team can put them on the right path.

“The CMEO team is used to promote positive command morale and quality of life by ensuring everyone aboard the ship is treated fairly and has the same opportunities,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Felix Sanchez, a CMEO team member. “It’s an outlet Sailors can trust to lend an ear and make necessary changes.”

The process of filing a complaint is confidential. Complete indemnity is important to both the Sailor and the CMEO team.

Sailors aren’t required to file a report just because they come to speak with a CMEO or Command Climate Specialist (CCS).

“We want to make sure they know we’re their advocate,” said Senior Chief Jennifer Mahan, Abraham Lincoln’s CCS. “We want to be their support system. We don’t go forward unless a Sailor wants us to go forward. Sometimes they just want someone to listen to them and give them resources for support, such as the DRC or the chaplain. Only about 5 percent of our cases are equal opportunity-related.”

One thing Mahan said she would like to see change is the skepticism some Sailors feel about the effectiveness of the process. She emphasizes that the CMEO team looks into every report to make sure every voice is heard.

 “We want people to come forward and say how they feel the command could be better,” said Joyles.

The CMEO team is comprised of three different teams: The Command Assessment Team (CAT), Heritage Cultural Committee and the Command Training Team (CTT) all of which are comprised of Sailors who volunteer for the positions.

“This is a program I believe in,” said Sanchez. “If my sister were to join the Navy and something were to happen to her, I know her CMEOs would have her back.”

Sailors on the CMEO team have a passion for helping Sailors, and their doors are always open. Having a safe space to sort through difficult work place situations can have a positive effect on a Sailor’s morale and ability to problem solve as well as teaching them what resources are available.

Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. With Abraham Lincoln as the flagship, deployed strike group assets include staffs, ships and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG 12), Destroyer Squadron 2 (DESRON 2), USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW 7).

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