NAWS leadership recognizes that continued success in meeting the needs of our Sailors and Marines, both internal and external, requires the full and active participation of talented and committed individuals regardless of their gender, race, ethnic origin, disabilities, age, or sexual orientation. By fostering an atmosphere of acceptance and support, we can begin to value and appreciate the strengths afforded by the differences, styles, ideas, and organizational contributions of each person.

We will achieve the ultimate goal of workplace diversity when NAWS enhances its ability to recruit, retain, and tap the full potential of employees at all levels.

Diversity complements the other organizational values of teamwork, leadership, empowerment and service quality. It encompasses the way we work, the work environment, and respect for people and ideas. Diversity includes everyone and everything. While its primary focus may often revolve around issues of previous discrimination based on race and gender, we can neither define nor limit diversity solely by these factors.

Diversity extends to age, personal and work history, education, function and personality, including lifestyle, sexual orientation, national origin, and all levels of the work force. It also encompasses varying management styles and ways of thinking, leadership abilities, skill levels, experiences, viewpoints, expression of thoughts and differing ways of delivering services provided there is consistency in the values we share.

Diversity is inclusion. It stresses equal opportunity, recognizes and respects the multitude of differences that employees bring to the workplace, and acknowledges the changing “face” of the community we serve. The affirmation of diversity and full cooperation by all managers, supervisors, and employees is expected.