Purpose:

• Ensure equal opportunity in the hiring, advancement, training and treatment of all employees and applicants for employment.
• Strive to achieve a diverse civilian work force with representation at every major organizational element, occupational category, and grade level commensurate with the relevant census data.
• Integrate the goals and objectives of the Special Emphasis Programs (SEP) into all aspects of civilian personnel management.

Legal and Regulatory Bases:

• Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended
• Executive Order 11478, Affirmative Action in the Federal Sector, August 1969 (as amended by EO 13152, May 2000)
• Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Americans With Disabilities Act, July 26, 1990
• Civil Service Reform Act of 1978
• Civil Rights Act of 1991
• 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1614
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Management Directives 712, 713 and 714 Department of Defense Directive 1440.1
• Department of the Army Regulation 690-12 (Affirmative Employment Program)
• Executive Order 13096, American Indian & Alaska Native Education, August 6, 1998
• Executive Order 13125, President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, June 7, 1999
• Executive Order 13171, Hispanic Employment in the Federal Government, October 12, 2000
• Executive Order 13227, President's Commission on Excellence in Special Education (as amended), October 2, 2001
• Executive Order 13230, President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, October 12, 2001
• Executive Order 13256, President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, February 12, 2002
• Executive Order 13270, Tribal Colleges and Universities, July 3, 2002