AR 600-20, Army Command Policy - Army Publishing Directorate ...

(2) Memorial Service. A Memorial Service is a command program with a religious orientation. A Memorial Service
should be sensitive to the deceased Soldier’s faith group and to the needs of the Soldiers who voluntarily attend.
Attendance of units and Soldiers may be encouraged and supported by command, but will not be made mandatory. A
Memorial Service may include the following: Prelude, Invocation, Scripture Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Silent Tribute
or Roll Call, and Benediction. The Soldier’s remains are not present for this service.
(3) Ramp Ceremony. A Ramp Ceremony is a command-directed activity normally only occurring in a deployed
environment that may be conducted in addition to a unit memorial event. It does not replace the requirement to conduct
a memorial event. The combatant commander normally establishes policies within a theater of operations that may
restrict or preclude the conduct of this ceremony in order to ensure the expeditious movement of remains. In locations
where this ceremony is permitted and is normally conducted, the requirements outlined in paragraphs a and b, above,
apply.
d. Combatant theater memorial events. Commanders of units deployed to combatant theaters or other contingency
operations may conduct a memorial event in the theater as the tactical situation permits and another event upon return
to home station.
e. Family member attendance. As part of the Army Family Covenant, unit commanders are charged with ensuring
the Families of their fallen Soldiers are made to feel a part of the Army for as long as they desire. To that end, unit
commanders will inform Family members of the deceased Soldier about any unit memorial event that is conducted in a
deployed environment and will invite the Soldier’s Family to attend unit memorial events at the home station.
f. Non-military memorial events. Commanders may also conduct non-military memorial events for deceased immediate
Family members of Soldiers assigned to their units to recognize the Family member’s contribution to the unit and
military community when appropriate. “Immediate Family members” are defined as the Soldier’s spouse, children (to
include stepchildren), and parents (to include stepparents).
g. Memorial event support. Commanders at all levels must ensure unit memorial events are conducted in recognition
of the deceased Soldier’s military Service and on behalf of a grateful Nation.
Chapter 6
The Equal Opportunity Program in the Army
6–1. Purpose
The EO Program formulates, directs, and sustains a comprehensive effort to maximize human potential and to ensure
fair treatment for all persons based solely on merit, fitness, and capability in support of readiness. EO philosophy is
based on fairness, justice, and equity. Commanders are responsible for sustaining a positive EO climate within their
units. Specifically, the goals of the EO program are to—
a. Provide EO for military personnel and Family members, both on and off post and within the limits of the laws of
localities, states, and host nations.
b. Create and sustain effective units by eliminating discriminatory behaviors or practices that undermine teamwork,
mutual respect, loyalty, and shared sacrifice of the men and women of America’s Army.
6–2. Equal opportunity policy
a. The U.S. Army will provide EO and fair treatment for military personnel and Family members without regard to
race, color, gender, religion, national origin, and provide an environment free of unlawful discrimination and offensive
behavior. This policy—
(1) Applies both on and off post, during duty and non-duty hours.
(2) Applies to working, living, and recreational environments (including both on and off-post housing).
(3) Additionally, in some circumstances, the Equal Employment Opportunity Complaint system in AR 690–600 may
provide guidance.
b. Soldiers will not be accessed, classified, trained, assigned, promoted, or otherwise managed on the basis of race,
color, religion, gender, or national origin. The assignment and utilization of female Soldiers is governed by Federal
law. AR 600–13 prescribes policies, procedures, responsibilities, and the position coding system for female Soldiers.
c. Definitions
(1) Discrimination. Any action that unlawfully or unjustly results in unequal treatment of persons or groups based
on race, color, gender, national origin, or religion.
(2) Disparaging terms. Terms used to degrade or connote negative statements pertaining to race, color, gender,
national origin, or religion. Such terms may be expressed as verbal statements, printed material, visual material, signs,
symbols, posters, or insignia. The use of these terms constitutes unlawful discrimination.
(3) Equal opportunity. The right of all persons to participate in, and benefit from, programs and activities (for
example, career, employment, educational, social) for which they are qualified. These programs and activities will be
free from social, personal, or institutional barriers that prevent people from rising to the highest level of responsibility
50 AR 600–20 18 March 2008