8/2/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO -- LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) -- A guilty verdict has been returned in the special court-martial of former Air Force military training instructor (MTI) Tech. Sgt. Christopher Smith. The trial will now enter the sentencing phase, which will begin tomorrow at 8:30 a.m.
Tech. Sgt. Smith was found guilty of two specifications of unprofessional relationships with two basic trainees, specifically seeking to develop and conduct personal and intimate relationships with one trainee and carrying on a personal social relationship with another trainee. He was found not guilty of an additional specification of unprofessional relationship and of obstruction of justice.
Comments
8/9/2012 2:13:24 PM ET These recruits were in no position to give consent. That's rape. BMT is designed to break you down and build you up to follow orders and pay attention to detail. The offenders took advantage of that environment to satisfy their own sense of power. They were weak and gave in to their own impulses.
Dan Smith, TX
8/6/2012 3:49:15 PM ET Tony I am with you on this. Girls and guys for that matter are at BMT for the sole purpose of AF training. Not to be seduced by their so-called assigned mentors. This is not a good way for anyone to start off their AF career by thinking that the entire AF is going to be like that. I feel for these girls and thank god that myself and my little sister who recently went through BMT did not encounter this kind of situation.
Erica, Scott AFB IL
8/6/2012 3:05:29 PM ET Enlisted goes to jail but officers pay fines and get to retirehttpwww.af.milnewsstory.aspid123009458
Ricky , DFDub TX
8/6/2012 12:57:49 PM ET Bud if one of these young girls were your daughter I think you would have a different tune. It doesnt matter what the prosecution coached them to say he intimidated these young girls into having sex with him bottom line. Hang him T.A. Ret AF MSgt
Tony, Eglin AFB
8/4/2012 10:12:37 PM ET Jay when you say serial rapist you sound ignorant of the facts. The Air force gambled on this one and got by. He didn't rape anyone he failed to obey a lawful order. Oh wait everything that is said is always true right I am sure that the females were not coached by the prosecution at all and this was definitely something that could not have been taken care of with an Art. 15 and adminstrative discharge. Sorry AF you wasted money on this one.
Bud, SA TX
8/3/2012 11:36:15 AM ET Before you start thinking this guy continues on with his Air Force career consider HYT rules. He's done and rightfully so.
Paul, San Antonio
8/3/2012 6:50:03 AM ET A1C smith sounds about right for this guy. But considering the last court martial down there resulted on only 20 years for a serial rapist I expect this guy to get a sternly worded Letter of Admonishment and to get on with his career
