Training
Programs for leaders, attorneys, civilian personnel specialists, EEO officers, acquisition personnel, and Army civilian employees increase ADR awareness, teach interest-based negotiation, and train Army mediators.
Mission & Policy
ADR Program Summary
The Secretary of the Army’s 2007 policy established a departmental ADR program to resolve disputes early, inexpensively, and at the lowest organizational level.
Program History
One Departmental Program
On 22 June 2007, then-Acting Secretary of the Army Pete Geren issued the Army ADR policy encouraging the use of ADR to resolve disputes as early and inexpensively as possible, at the lowest organizational level.
The Secretary designated the Principal Deputy General Counsel as the Army Dispute Resolution Specialist and tasked that office with the Army ADR program budget, elimination of unnecessary barriers, ADR and negotiation training, and sufficient resources for a broad spectrum of disputes.
In January 2008, the General Counsel stood up the Army ADR Program. The program consolidates Army ADR policy and practice at the departmental level while allowing activities and components to run programs consistent with their missions and requirements.
ADR Methods
Informal, Collaborative & Confidential
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Party control
Parties exercise greater control over both the process and outcome than in litigation.
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Neutral assistance
A trained third party helps the parties communicate, evaluate options, and reach resolution.
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Confidentiality
ADR proceedings use confidentiality protections that support candid discussion.
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Efficiency
Informality and voluntariness generally produce faster, less expensive outcomes.
Program Delivery
Training & Third-Party Assistance
Neutral assistance
The ADR Program Office provides direct third-party neutral assistance in workplace disputes involving HQDA personnel and organizations.