Standards of behavior

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Darrell S. Smith
  • 436th Dental Squadron commander
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  As a leader in today's Air Force, you are faced with difficult situations and making tough decisions. Arguably the most challenging and important aspect of your job as an Air Force leader will be to enforce standards of behavior.

Air Force leadership occurs at many levels; section, flight, squadron, group, wing, etc., and leaders at every level must be involved with enforcing the Air Force standards. Upholding the Air Force standard is not only how we accomplish the mission, it is how we take care of our Airmen. If we fail to meet the standard, we fail as a team.

"Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence in All We Do."

These Air Force core values inspire our standards of behavior and thus the way we excel as Airmen, both professionally and personally. It is a lapse in this Air Force standard that has led to present day stigma of sexual misconduct associated with today's Air Force.

The Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland technical instructor debacle is a prime example of what happens when we deviate from the Air Force standard of behavior. Since the investigation began in June, approximately fifty nine victims have come forward with charges.

The investigation is ongoing, and is now set to go before the House Armed Services Committee; it is anticipated that they will delve into the last decade of JBSA-Lackland's basic military training records. Thirty-two drill sergeants and training instructors have been disciplined on charges that range from rape to unprofessional relationships and some charges based solely as a result of social media interaction.

Shortly after the JBSA-Lackland investigation began, the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. Larry Spencer launched the "Every Airman Counts" campaign on the Air Force Portal. This is an Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program website complete with blog. In just three short months there have been over 46,000 visits to the web site with at least 900 bloggers contributing to the effort. This is unquestionably a huge step in the right direction!

Airmen now have a site to communicate about these issues, anonymously if they wish to, and can also give input directly to General Spencer.

Even after all that happened at JBSA-Lackland and the mainstream media coverage, etc., just a few months ago, the Lieutenant Colonel who ran the Air Force's SAPR office was arrested and charged with sexual battery. Furthermore, last month, eight high ranking officers at Shaw AFB were reprimanded by the Air Force following a six month investigation into sexual misconduct complaints.

Sexual assault court martial cases are being tried daily throughout the DoD, and for the Air Force, cases that result in a conviction are being published online at: http://www.afjag.af.mil/sexualassaultprosecution/index.asp

All Airmen are encouraged to visit the website listed above. As you go through the cases, you may notice an underlying theme; alcohol consumption, lack of respect for the individual, and the absence of consent. Many cases involve Airmen assaulting fellow Airmen; many involve coworkers.

I hope all Airmen review these cases, and realize the dire consequences associated with a sexual assault conviction in today's Air Force such as being permanently registered as a sex offender, incarceration, and dishonorable discharge...what a dreadful way to go through life.

The Pentagon recently reported that sexual assaults in the military have increased by an unprecedented 46% throughout the last fiscal year. There were 3,553 sexual assault complaints reported October 2012 through June 2013; 1,100 more than the previous year. Fear of repercussion prevents many victims from coming forward, and certainly this number could be much higher. Victims must understand that if they come forward, they will be provided with the utmost care and respect, and their complaint will be given the highest regard.

We obviously still have a problem with sexual misconduct in the military. Our leaders, at all levels, must continue to enforce proper Air Force standards of behavior until this is no longer a problem.

Every Airman is a member of our Air Force family, we are all wingmen, and we must take care of and look after each other. In today's Air Force, in our Air Force, it is paramount that we operate in an environment that is free from harassment, and one that promotes safety, dignity and respect for all. "Every Airman Counts!"