Which legislation formed the basis for the Army's Equal Opportunity policies?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is foundational to the Army's Equal Opportunity policies because it established comprehensive prohibitions against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This landmark piece of legislation aimed to eliminate inequality in various sectors, including education, employment, and public accommodations, and has been pivotal in shaping policies meant to foster fairness and inclusivity within the military. The Army has implemented its Equal Opportunity policies to align with the principles set forth in the Civil Rights Act, ensuring that all service members are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their background.

In contrast, while the Affordable Care Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act address important social issues, they focus on health care rights and disability rights, respectively, and do not specifically establish the workforce anti-discrimination framework that the Civil Rights Act provides. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act concerns the legal rights of service members relating to financial and civil issues, which is also not directly related to equal opportunity in the workforce context.