Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and the Judge Advocate General Lt. Gen. Richard Harding appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee June 4, 2013, in Washington, D.C. During the hearing they testified alongside the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the service chiefs from the other branches about combating sexual assault in the military. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and the Judge Advocate General Lt. Gen. Richard Harding appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee June 4, 2013, in Washington, D.C. During the hearing they testified alongside the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the service chiefs from the other branches about combating sexual assault in the military. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and the Judge Advocate General Lt. Gen. Richard Harding appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee June 4, 2013, in Washington, D.C. During the hearing they testified alongside the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the service chiefs from the other branches about combating sexual assault in the military. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)
by Staff Sgt. David Salanitri
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
6/4/2013 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air Force chief of staff testified in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee along with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and service chiefs from the Army, Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard on pending legislation regarding sexual assaults in the military June 4.
Gen. Mark A. Welsh III re-emphasized to the committee the Air Force's commitment to combating sexual assault within its ranks and improving care for victims when it does occur.
Sexual assault "undermines the mission effectiveness of our great force," he said. "Nothing saddens me more than to know this cancer exists in our ranks."
According to Welsh, preventing sexual assault is every Airman's responsibility.
"Every Airman is either part of the solution or part of the problem," he said. "There is no middle ground."
In January, the Air Force spearheaded a pilot program for the Department of Defense which provides special counsel to survivors of sexual assault.
The Special Victims Counsel is currently composed of 60 specially-trained military lawyers and is currently serving 282 victims.
"Feedback from the victims has been very, very positive," Welsh said. "We're excited about where it's going. It's been a very, very good program ... In my mind, it's game-changing."
Welsh personalized the issue by discussing, as a family man, how sexual assault weighs on him.
"All of us have families and we immediately relate to them when we see a report of this crime," he said. "I have five sisters. I have a mother. They set my moral compass on this issue. I have a daughter who's looking into the United States Air Force. I will not be tolerant of this crime."
Comments
6/12/2013 9:46:40 AM ET I agree with SJ. Briefings and training are just CYA for leadership. Lets not keep the binders on anymore.
Postion Number, Where The Wild Things Are
6/11/2013 4:07:47 PM ET I agree andor sympathize with most of what's been stated. However this ill cuts across every sector of our society. It's one that must be addressedattacked in every pillar of our society. As with most issues the US Armed Forces are but a microcosm of the greater society. Even though DoD strives to attract the best of the best the bottom-line is that it receives the products of our society. So while DoD is being grilled regarding this matter we as a Nation must reflect on and engage as well. If DoD represents some of the best then how do other sectors of society look wrt this matter
DLH, Maxwell AFB
6/11/2013 10:47:14 AM ET I am a male and was sexually assaulted when I was child while in a JROTC sponsored military school. I felt I had no one to turn to and that reporting the crime would only make matters worse for me for the exact same reasons cited by many other victims in the military. Chief among those are being command support of the offender would only make matters worse by making me face the wrath of the both the unpunished offender as well as that person's friends. I wonder if the Generals and decisionmakers who do not want to give up control of the process have ever been the recipient of an assault in the military setting. Making everyone responsible and calling it cancer doesn't help.
KG, Lackland
6/11/2013 10:46:28 AM ET Like many others have said no amount of briefings or training is going to solve the problem only accountability. Even so the AF in its infinite wisdom has directed an SAPR down day dedicated to briefings and training.
SJ, Florida
6/11/2013 7:39:03 AM ET ARMED FORCES SENIOR MILITARY LEADERS TESTIFY - I find the same 'talking points' without any changes from the top leadership and I'm disappointed. Our most senior uniformed leaders seem more concerned with retaining 'command authority' and affixing blame on generational sexual promiscuity. The focus of this conversation has to be shifted on the victim and away from all of the other distractors that continually are brought up by what I thought was a highly responsible and concerned senior leadership team at the highest levels. Let's face it the US public and members of the military force have lost confidence in your leadership therefore the argument that Commanders 'must maintain authority for good order and discipline' is no longer valid. The number 26000 should be the first indicator that you've taken your eye off the 'sexual assault' ball and good order and discipline is no longer an issue in these cases. Commanders have proven that they are either not interested incompetent or read
Rick Power, Air Force Pentagon
6/10/2013 12:53:33 PM ET Plain and simple. Our allies have figured this out why can't we Sex crimes should be removed from the command decision authority of our CoC and placed in a special DoD prosecutorial unit. The status quo is not working. Sexual predators get away with their crimes. No more training vidoes or symposiums. You can call it whatever type of cancer you want to call it but the current strategy is not working and thus radical change is necessary. As an NCO I don't want my fellow Airmen walking around in a climate of fear and uncertainty. And this is where we are. Truly sad. This is the US Military. Sexual predators need to be dealt with and booted and not at the expense of the victim. Victims are not the issue. By leaving it in the CoC they become the issue.
NCO, CA
6/10/2013 12:50:50 PM ET I see alot of Leadership this and that like Gen Welsh and others don't care. Those are cheaps shots and only exacerbate the problem. One offender at a time with stiff strong consequences will be the answer. Let's stop bashing our our leaders and point the finger where it deserves to be pointeed...the offenders. Our leaders are great men and women dealing with a moral issue that isn't as easy to solve like buying planes or deploying people. Just my take.
SMSgt Retired, Robins AFB
6/10/2013 12:14:00 PM ET httpwww.usafa.af.milcore--value.
Smith, Robins
6/10/2013 11:13:22 AM ET I agree that something needs to be done. I do not believe adding another mandatory training is the answer. We as a community sit through so many mandatory briefings we just tune them all out by this point. The subjectivity of punishment needs to be removed. A zero tolerance policy should be enforced as just that. Commanders should not have the final say in punishment as that has been shown to be extremely subjective in the majority of cases.
TSgt, USAF
6/10/2013 10:59:19 AM ET Rick Power you put it very eloquently. The number 26k refers to incidents and not just sexual assaults which is indicative that it's not just sexual assault that is the problem. Included are incidents like inappropriate touching like that incident that a recent commander was accused of by a civilian is included in that 26k. I wonder how many incidents are unknown to the military that didn't even make it into that number for various reasons. BM3 I get what you're saying but it's going to sometimes be very difficult to separate false accusations from cases without enough evidence to prosecute the accused.
Capt, USAFA
6/10/2013 10:40:33 AM ET Speaking as a female and a victim of sexual assault before the military most other people don't understand why a victim would choose to not persecute the offender. Victims are treated the same in and out of the military. They are ashamed that the act happened at all. Most victims prefer to forget it as soon as possible not talk about it. My own family pushed mine under the rug choosing not to press charges either. While the chain of command should not be able to overturn convictions or lighten sentences the culture needs to change. Victim blame needs to stop or all victims women and men will continue to suffer in silence.
Victim, SC
6/10/2013 8:59:34 AM ET I find the same 'talking points' without any changes from the top leadership and I'm disappointed. Our most senior uniformed leaders seem more concerned with retaining 'command authority' and affixing blame on generational sexual promiscuity. The focus of this conversation has to be centered on the victim and away from all of the other distractors that continually are brought up by what I thought was a highly responsible and concerned senior leadership team at the highest levels. Let's face it the US public and members of the military force have lost confidence in your leadership therefore the argument that Commanders 'must maintain authority for good order and discipline' is no longer valid. The number 26000 should be the first indicator that you've taken your eye off the 'sexual assault' ball and good order and discipline is no longer an issue in these cases. Commanders have proven that they are either not interested or ready to simply push the problem under the rug. What is needed
Rick Power, Air Force Pentagon
6/10/2013 3:26:10 AM ET Just an FYI the word cancer is not solely used to define a disease--that's pathology. Cancer means any evil condition or thing that spreads destructively blight. I'm pretty sure our CSAF knows this and didn't mean it in an offensive way. The word is TECHNICALLY without emotion tied in an accurate description.
SSgt RC, Japan
6/9/2013 6:54:36 PM ET From all the reports that I've seen ALCOHOL is the number one contributing factor in the sexual assaults in the armed forces. So we know what the root cause for this behavior is and we still don't address this issue.
Justin, Andersen
6/9/2013 6:04:19 AM ET When the military starts taking all aspects of the sexual assault issue seriously to include false allegations there will never be an end to this epidemic. It would also eb nice if the feminist would stand up and fight the female is always the victim line the military has drawn. If two drunk people have sex and don't remember anything why is the female automatically the victim Probably because the military thinks that women are incapable of fending for themselves and need to be babysat meaning they are not equal and recieving special treatment which is against the true feminist movement.
BM3, USA
6/8/2013 12:41:05 PM ET What use is any of this if people like Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin are just going to throw away and disregard something as significant as a jury trial None of this means anything as long as men like Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin are allowed to conduct this kind of behavior unpunished. If the AF wants to prove they are serious Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin must be removed from his position.
Cindy, Texas
6/7/2013 8:24:51 PM ET The people who are saying they are offended by the use of the word cancer are part of the problem with today's military. The use of the word cancer by CSAF is entirely appropriate. Yes cancer is horrible. No it's not something anyone wishes to be diagnosed with. And contrary to what Mike Ehrlich says some types of cancer are preventable. Just ask someone who smoked for 20 years and then developed lung cancer. Mr. Ehrlich and others I sincerely thank you for your service to our country and our Air Force. But your comments serve to distract everyone from the CANCER of sexual assault in the military in order to try to make us think about your feelings. Shame on you sir. Not on General Welsh.
MSgt Brian Potvin, Deployed SWA
6/7/2013 7:42:59 PM ET Sexual assault is a moral issue. Until the moral decay of of our society is reversed the military will continue to reflect the society from which its members come.
SB, JBER
6/7/2013 4:04:53 PM ET We need to continue to lead the way by prosecuting those who are commiting this crime. We don't seem to have a problem believing Basic Trainees why then dont we believe anyone else. Our Air Force led the way in dealing with adultry back in the 90's. We took a black eye for it. But the other services followed. That black eye made us combat ready in in 2001-2. We need to step up again
Combat Ready, Lackland
6/7/2013 12:33:38 PM ET While I see the value of showing sensitivity to the victim's preferences I do not agree with restricted reporting letting perpetrators get away with their crimes. Why is the investigation a hell for the victim Is that because it is conducted through the chain of command If the investigation and the persecution took place outside of UCMJ and the victims command it would afford more privacy to the member for sure. The chain of command is the wrong place to expect the victims to seek a fair and private handling of the rape cases. While restricted reporting may help the victim move on quicker but it also lets a rapist off the hook reinforcing their sick behavior to continue hurting people. This is unacceptable.
Capt, Colorado
6/7/2013 12:29:20 PM ET How about this for a start. Fire the entire Joint Chiefs of Staff and all senior enlisted advisors. Give a charge to the new group that this must improve or they will be out as well. Once the most senior are held accountable they will make sure everyone else is.
Don, USA
6/7/2013 9:21:00 AM ET Sorry I guess my earlier message was a little long. My last line emphasises that this issue is BIGGER than a panel of Gen officers this is about ALL of US. The Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps Docket list the members and cases facing trial.
TSgt King, Scott AFB
6/6/2013 6:41:18 PM ET I've serve over thirty years what needs to be done is remove the complaint to commaders and place it to a special department on the DOD side of the house. Year after Year we are trained on how to act around each other and not to offend anyone but people still think that they could do what they wish. Its time to act.
Eli Rivera, California
6/6/2013 4:47:33 PM ET You can NOT prevent that which you do not CONTROL. However we can ENFORCE a ZERO tolerance policy that without bias investigates prosecutes convicts and punishes those responsible. Members of the military are still members of a society that is also plagued by this disease. There was a time in the military where the use of drugs however illegal was a slap on the hand. Today with zero tolerance it hasn't stopped some from using or selling but it has decreased our numbers through deterrence and prosecutions.More training and extensive certifications does NOT tell you what is in a person's heart or mind. However enforcing severe consequences and holding people accountable for their actions will hopefully deter those who would otherwise think they are ABOVE the LAW Here is a link to pending cases look at how many of these AF members are facing charges related to rape sexual assault indecent acts etc. to INCLUDE CHILDREN under the care. This issue is BIGGER tha
TSgt King, Scott AFB
6/6/2013 4:16:01 PM ET I have to agree that calling the dispicable actions of a very few in our great AF cancer is not accurate. It's more like a boil on the butt of the AF that needs to be lanced.
True, Blue
6/6/2013 4:12:29 PM ET While I can agree that the chain of command needs to be taken out of the equation we have to remember that our military members represent the culture they come from. People seem to get on the military for the many sexual assault cases and they seem to forget it's a travesty outside the military too. One other thing the military prosecutes cases that the civilian sector won't even touch. Sexual assault is a terrible thing that happens to our men and women every day. My heart goes out for these survivors.
VA, Illinois
6/6/2013 4:11:07 PM ET I am a sexual assault victim advocate and I can tell you about the importance of restricted reporting. Not everyone wishes to go through the hell they would endure in the investigative process. The most important thing for the victim is to be offered the medical mental and counseling among other things. Restricted reporting allows a victim confidentiality in regards to their recovery.
VA, Illinois
6/6/2013 3:55:20 PM ET Sexual assault doesn't need taken out of the UCMJ the pre- and post-trial convening authority needs to be taken away from commanders. Commanders should not have the authority to decide which cases go to trial and which do not nor overrule the decision of a jury of peers with or without reason--they were found guilty or innocent by jury trial that should stand.Retired Chief restricted or unrestricted reporting isn't a bad thing. Not much different than a victim in the civilian world deciding not to press charges against the offender. If the victim doesn't want to pursue charges why would the government waste its timemoneymanpower pursuing conviction Some victims just want personal help and not necessarily face their assailant in court again. Just my .02 as both AF and civilian LEO.
DM, FL
6/6/2013 2:18:58 PM ET When the VICTIMS stop getting treated like they are doing something wrong or did something wrong. That is when the sexual assault issue will get better. Airmen should have leadership supervisors and counselors that will have their back and support them if they tell them something happened.
SSgt, Tampa
6/6/2013 11:19:32 AM ET IMO taking sexual assaults etc. out of the UCMJ is wrong. I do not...and never did...fully agree with the restricted and unrestricted reporting methods. It is a crime...how can it not be reported and investigated. I understand a victims right to privacy and recovery...but our system was set up with the path of non-prosecution.
Retired Chief, South Dakota
6/6/2013 9:58:24 AM ET It is a cancer it something unwanted that is in or on your body that you must aggressively fight to get rid of to once again have a healthy life. That is exactly what needs to be done in the Air Force as well. It was an excellent analogy. By the way I too am a cancer survivor.
Hicks, Macdill AFB
6/5/2013 11:45:40 PM ET To all those who believe the use of the word Cancer is offensive look it up in the dictionary. cancerknsr Show Spelled kan-ser Show IPA noun 1. Pathology ... 2. any evil condition or thing that spreads destructively blight. I would say that is an accurate description.
Sean, Osan
6/5/2013 11:02:29 PM ET Practical Reaction I hope your comment was meant to be sarcastic. One need only look at the Air Force Lt Col who was just charged with a sexual assault to see that your proposal would have done nothing in this case. You are assuming that all sexual assaults occur strictly between service members. The Lt Col who was just arrested is accused of assaulting a civilian in a parking lot in the middle of the night. It would do us more benefit for such suggestions to be kept to oneself so that we can concentrate on finding a way to seriously fix this problem.
MSgt Brian Potvin, Deployed SWA
6/5/2013 4:56:17 PM ET Sgt.D hit the nail on the head. You should be more concerned with the problem he is addressing than his choice of words. Geez
Rick, Colorado.
6/5/2013 4:34:33 PM ET Mike Ehrlich Virginia. Im pretty sure cancer can be prevented in many cases but not all. Sexual assault is definitely a problem as well and is quite dificult to prevent apparently. Perhaps not the best metaphor but you know that more than anyone how serious cancer can be and I believe Gerneral's point is very clear on how serious the matter is. I dont think it was meant to be taken so literally though. I would be quite unhappy as a victim of cancer and probably just as unhappy as a victim of sexual assault especially because of a wingman.
Airman, Illinois
6/5/2013 4:18:44 PM ET cancer any evil condition or thing that spreads destructively blight.
JL SrA, Fort Campbell
6/5/2013 3:42:17 PM ET I have a solution the Air Force needs to have a policy that prohibits ANY sexual contact between another service member. There is a similar policy between officerenlisted. This eliminates any gray area or missed signals.
Practical Reaction, Northwest Florida
6/5/2013 3:20:51 PM ET Per Webster one definition of the word something evil or malignant that spreads destructively. While it may be a sensitive word for some the context in which Gen. Welsh uses the word cancer is extremely apt. Perhaps a little less me and a little more focus on an issue affecting THOUSANDS could or would help us address and solve the problem. Sexual Assault is indeed a cancer and with no offense intended whatsoever... I think it's sad people are more concerned with their personal feelings towards a word than the awful violence that cripples our combat capability.
Corey, TX
6/5/2013 1:34:01 PM ET I am a cancer survivor. I choose not to share my name because I do not want anyone's sympathy. Cancer is a good choice of a word to describe this problem. It is a disease and needs to be cut of our Air Force. All is ask now is that we take deliberate judicial action against those who are proven beyond a reasonable doubt to have committed sexual assault....regardless of rank.
An AD Chief, An AFB Near You
6/5/2013 9:59:00 AM ET The problem with this crime is that the punishment does not fit the crime. Too often the military either does nothing about it or the punishment is so minimal that it doesn't amount to anything. So this prevents anyone from wanting to come forward with a complaint. I watched my wife deal with this during her 25 years in maintenance. I even had to resort to threatening one of her coworkers with physical assault if he did not stop gropping my wife. This would not happen if someone in her leadership would have supported her when she asked that it stop. The amount of stress it put on her to go to work everyday and deal with that was immense. So if you want to fix this problem you need to make the punishment a lot more severe.
SNCO, GA
6/5/2013 9:49:00 AM ET Sorry it is a cancer not a bad choice of words...cancer is a bad thing and so is this.
Retired SMSgt, Robins AFB
6/5/2013 9:42:49 AM ET If people spent half as much time putting energy into making the world a better place instead of being offended anytime someone makes an innocuous comment just think how amazing our society would be.
Sgt.D, EU
6/5/2013 9:20:31 AM ET Bad choice of words on Welshs part but I get his meaning. The Air Force along with the rest of the military needs to make a few examples out of some of the people that do this crime. Give the next airman that rapes and has it proven beyond doubt at his court marshal 30 years hard labor and broadcast the trial and sentencing far and wide. Oh and if it's an officer NO MATTER THE RANK they get the same treatment. Big rocks little rocks. Maybe that'll get the point across.
Jay SMSgt ret, DC
6/4/2013 8:17:30 PM ET As a cancer survivor and 30 year retired AF officer I found Gen Welsh's choice of the word cancer to describe sexual assault in the Air Force to be in very bad taste and very inappropriate. Unlike cancer sexual assault can be prevented. I expect better judgement from our AF senior leadership. Shame on you General.
Mike Ehrlich, Virginia
6/4/2013 5:48:03 PM ET I don't agree with calling it a cancer. If you ever had cancer you would understand. It's a mental illness or a willful act.
