I Am the Mission: Master Sgt. Razak Sidik
Story by Staff Sgt. James Johnson
BALTIMORE – Meet U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Razak Sidik, an equal opportunity advisor assigned to the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard. On the civilian side, Sidik serves as the State Equal Employment Manger with the Maryland National Guard.
In both his military and civilian roles, his goal is to uphold the equal opportunity mission by promoting a safe environment free from barriers for Airmen and Soldiers to reach their goals.
Sidik became part of the 175th Wing’s Equal Opportunity Office in August 2021 after becoming one of the founding members of the wing’s diversity program.
“I began attending, what we called, make-a-change meetings, where I met individuals who were facing similar diversity disadvantages within the military,” said Sidik. “Myself along with these Airmen were guided by an exceptional officer and together founded the Wing Diversity Program on the base. This program developed my interest in equal opportunity. I finally found a way to better the climate for the people I served with.”
Born in Baltimore, Sidik began his military career in 1995 when joining the Maryland Air National Guard as a traffic management apprentice in a traffic management operations unit. Sidik then cross-trained into the ammunitions flight as a munitions storage troop and advancing to production supervisor before receiving the position as EOA. Sidik is the only member in his family in the military and feels honored to have the opportunity to serve his fellow Guard members.
Sidik is no stranger to diversity challenges. His parents lived in Uganda, Africa, prior to being forced out in the 1970’s, when a Ugandan dictator initiated a mass expulsion of Asians and Indians. As a result his family fled to the United States. This journey directly inspired his enlistment in Maryland Air National Guard but there were still service members who did not uphold the Air Force core values.
“I’m hoping to bring education to the base and recognition to the program, ” said Sidik. “I would like to see a full-time position on base where the equal opportunity program can be better utilized and prevent Soldiers or Airmen from leaving the agency due to harassment and discrimination as I experienced when I first enlisted.”
After hearing speakers who discussed diversity topics referred to antiquated policies and he saw how the mindset of people stifled the growth of diversity and inclusion within the Air Force, Sidik knew he wanted to help. According to Sidik, ensuring equal opportunity is vital component in every organization, it encourages diversity and inclusion by providing an opportunity to expand individuals’ horizons and accept change.
“It has been a great pleasure working with Master Sgt. Sidik to build the Wing Diversity Program,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Christina Mayo, a cyber officer assigned to the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard and the Deputy Director of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Program for the Maryland National Guard. “He is passionate about ensuring equity is delivered to all Airmen throughout the Maryland Air National Guard. His commitment to fellow service members is beyond compare. I look forward to all the great accomplishments he will achieve as the equal opportunity advisor.”
