News>Former safety chief heads sexual assault prevention efforts
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Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward heads the Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office in the Pentagon. She was formerly the Air Force Chief of Safety. (Courtesy photo)
Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward heads the Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office in the Pentagon. She was formerly the Air Force Chief of Safety. (Courtesy photo)
by Staff Sgt. David Salanitri
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
6/11/2013 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Senior officials announced June 6 that they have appointed a two-star general to lead the Air Force's effort to reduce sexual assault within the ranks, and provide victims the support they need.
Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward was appointed the new director of the reorganized Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. In addition to appointing a more senior officer to the position, the Air Force raised the stature of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office by linking it directly to the office of the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
"I'm incredibly honored to be picked for something I know is important to our secretary and our chief, and, more importantly, to each and every one of our Airmen," said Woodward, whose last assignment was as the Air Force chief of safety.
Woodward's background is dynamic. It includes a deployment as Coalition Forces Air Component Commander for Operation Odyssey Dawn, and she also investigated the sexual misconduct that took place at Air Force Basic Military Training and technical training.
"General Woodward brings a wealth of experience with her to this office," said Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry Spencer. "She is no stranger to tackling high priority missions, and she's the right person to take the reins as we address this issue that's so important to the health and readiness of our force."
Looking to the near future, Woodward already knows the first step she and her team need to make.
"The first thing we need to do is really get our arms around the extent of the problem," she said. "We need to understand the root issues that are exacerbating it, and connect with people inside and outside the Air Force that have creative ideas to fix the problem."
The SAPR office Woodward directs is going through major changes, which reflects Air Force senior leadership's commitment to addressing the problem head on, according to Woodward.
"In very lean times, we're increasing billets by more than 30 here," she said.
"We are a part of the (Air Force) vice chief of staff's office," Woodward said. "There's a reason for that. The issue of sexual assault has his personal attention and interest. He is personally involved with what we are doing on a daily basis."
As the SAPR office is growing in leadership and resources, Woodward is encouraged by Air Force senior leadership's support.
"Our Air Force leadership is putting all of their resources, energy and support behind this effort, and they're doing it for the right reasons," she said. "It's absolutely about caring for our Airmen."
The stakes are high for the Air Force. The mission is high profile, but senior Air Force officials are confident the SAPR program will prevail in its evolution.
For Woodward, her goal is clear -- she's here for the Airmen.
"I have one goal. It's to make every Airman secure and confident in their service and proud of being a wingman for each and every one of our fellow Airmen, and that there is never a breakdown in that sacred bond," she said. "Until that happens, I'm not done."
Comments
6/20/2013 2:12:24 PM ET What gets me is the emphasis being put on this problem in the military all the while ignoring that fact that it is just as big a problem in the civilian sector. Remember that the military is drawn from society so with that comes the issues of society.
NCO, In the US
6/19/2013 9:30:51 AM ET Tom I just want you to know I'm sorry that's how your case turned out. I've seen when friends were sexually assaulted by someone active duty. The victims faced reprisal including someone in their CoC leaking info about the assualt out into the offender's and victim's units. You are not alone and please know that there are people in the AF that believe in supporting victims. I hope that we make progress with respect to handling of sexual assault in the AF. Peterson I agree the continuum of harm must be understood and mitigated by everyone in order for this problem to be curbed. I think many folks have earmuffs on during this training because it's cool to ignore any kind training these days due to the dilution of importance of training as a result of too many CBTs.
Capt, USAFA
6/18/2013 4:39:21 PM ET I was sexually assaulted and almost murdered by a co-worker. I made a unrestricted report to the SAPR reported it to OSI and JA. To make a long story short In my belief I was ostracized and faced reprisal for doing so. After reporting the incident I was removed from my unit sent to pick up trash revoked driving privileges etc. I was called a liar and accused of making it up. OSI admittedly never investigated the sexual assault aspect rather talked co-workers regarding what they thought of us. Luckily for me a couple of co-workers witness this individual attack someone else and the report came favoring me as the victim. However I was given a LOR UIF Referral EPR and was being Commander Recommended to mental health. Otherwise being admin discharged. My saving grace... the IG investigated the case discovered reprisal and all forms of punishment were dropped. I went home on emergency leave to visit my cancer stricken mother and was later notified by the ADC that I w
Tom, US
6/18/2013 4:10:55 PM ET Retired CMSgt I think everyone is missing the point. How did we get here? As an AF vet of nearly 41 years I have watched the continuous erosion of moral values within the ranks. The military has always been known for taking the moral high ground as we must with the military power that we might be asked to employ. Leadership from the top down is sending the message that the values that made this country strong no longer matter. This cannot be a don't do as I do do as I say kind of thing. We must get back to our moral foundations regardless of political correctness and who is offended. If we don't the assaults and cases of adultery and fraternization within the ranks will continue to grow. Count on it
Jim Honeycutt, Louisville Tennessee
6/18/2013 3:27:07 PM ET When are our leaders going to realize sexual assault prevention begins with sexual harassment prevention? The continuum of harm is briefed during SAPR training as well as Equal Opportunity training. More often than not an environment that allows and breeds sexual harassment leads to an environment in which individuals may not recognize actions that border on sexual assault. In turn these environments can and often times do lead to an environment that allows a tolerance for sexually assaulting type behaviors.Example-If an officeshop allows the viewing of Super Bad Knocked Up 40 Year Old Virgin and allows its airmen to discuss their sexual escapades how farfetched would it be to find the same members of said shopoffice partaking in frequent good games which according to law and policy constitute sexual assault Dependent on varying factors of course however the possibility remains.Rather than highlighting the end result assault let us focus on cultivating an environment
Peterson AFB, Peterson AFB
6/18/2013 12:49:30 PM ET It's more than Assault. It's harrassment. It's an underlying culture. It's using your power and authority over someone too. It's woman separated from each other that become easily victimized. It'll be interesting to see how this all pans out...I hope for the better.
capt, peterson
6/18/2013 3:12:12 AM ET I remember serving under MG Woodward when she was commander of the Communications Squadron at MacDill AFB. The morale throughout the unit was high and she was a very competant leader. I have no doubt whatsoever she's the right person for this job.
Alex Martin, Ramstein AB Germany
6/17/2013 4:25:44 PM ET I do think its time to deal with this issue. My only question is how come now instead of before. Is it because the press got hold of it. In the past Sexual assault was considered rather routine. We had female airman posing for playboy while I was stationed at Nellis AFB. We had women taking advantage of getting pregnant at Thule just so they could ask for an abortion and spend 6 weeks in Colorado for recovery thereby reducing their time on station and yet still getting credit for a short tour. We had the base commanders daughter living in our all male dorm in Duluth IAP using drugs with the enlisted guys. It is sad also that I have to complain to my supervisors about the language in my work area being sexually oriented and I feel I do not belong there because I have higher standards. My point is now it is a problem and now the USAF wants to fix it. So much for integrity first. It's a sad day when the USAF reacts only because it was brought to the attention of the press. What I see i
David Huff, Goodfellow
6/17/2013 10:07:49 AM ET I think we're all missing the point here. Yes we're not immune to crime and of course something needs to be done. The problem is that the Assualts are being broadcasted to the public. The people we protect and serve are beginning to doubt us. If we can't protect ourselves who can protect them I wish Maj Gen Woodward the best of luck I really do. But wether something drastic happens or not it at least looks like the Air Force is doing something about it.
Mike, US
6/14/2013 7:15:11 PM ET Gen Welsh is an amazing and caring man. This is not a new issue and unfortunately will not be fixed overnight. Allow Gen Welsh the time to properly address the issue. This is a step in the right direction.
Old NCO, Travis AFB
6/14/2013 3:44:14 PM ET I remember her from Macdill AFB. I really liked her. She was very stern and I remember that when she was commander we always had gatorade oranges and bannas at the wing runs. LOL I'm just saying. I think it's a small sign that she cares about the little ppl.
LA AFB, LA AFB
6/14/2013 1:29:00 PM ET @A SNCO just because one Force Support Officer committed a crime doesn't mean that another Force Support Officer shouldn't take that post. Do you ask a Comm Officer to step in when an Acft Mx Officer is convicted of stealing Force Support Officers run the SAPR program from the base level all the way up. I'm not saying MG Woodward isn't a good Commander. I'm saying let the community responsible for the administration of the program be the ones that lead it. Just an observation. I have no dog in this fight. I'm neither AFSC
Lt, AFB
6/14/2013 7:24:28 AM ET @Lt Lt Col Krusinski was an FSS Sq CC and a former Force Support FGO of the Year. So I am not convinced that an FSS officer might be the best solution.@RC MGen Hertog previously held this post until her retirement. Not a pilot she was the AF's top cop. MGen Woodward I have met and I am confident she is the right officer in the right place at the right time...IMO
A SNCO, An AFB Near You
6/13/2013 6:29:50 PM ET I served in the Security Forces as a SetCat Assistant Flight Chief at a missle base during the intregation of Women into the field. I had several women on my flight and never did I hear of a case of Rape at my base or other missle bases during my time and these women were living in the missile field in a camper on remote missle sites. Rapist are cowards and to do this is both a psychological problem and a morale and mission killer
Mike, Holland Ohio
6/13/2013 5:06:56 PM ET I wish you well Ma'am it's a tough role for the Air Force right now. My prayers are with you and the AF. As a Victim Advocate and a survivor of domestic violence I have great faith that you will do a great job. Change can only happen if we change our mindset.
Lt, Thule
6/13/2013 4:22:24 PM ET @RC this office was previously ran by MG Hertog until her retirement and she was replaced by Lt Col Krusinski. @Lt I would like to point out that Lt Col Krusinski was once an FSS Squadron Commander. @Accused Exonerated you are exactly right. We should take action against those who falsely accuse others of this heinous crime. Those who are guilty of SA need to be punished to the full extent of the law.
A SNCO, An AFB Near You
6/13/2013 3:51:55 PM ET Having personally worked for MG Woodward at the time a Col I can say without a doubt this is a leader Iam confident will address the issues from the top.
Chief Rice, Shaw AFB
6/13/2013 1:27:46 PM ET General Welsh is as fine of officer as there is BUT even he is over his head on SA. It is a question of not understanding the root causes so therefore not addressing them. Give the man as many stars as you want General Welsh and the DoD Leadership just does not get it.
Retired SMSgt, Colorado Springs
6/13/2013 12:06:32 PM ET Since I have personally worked for this exceptional 2 Star General I can honestly say to the all the people in the Air Force. She is the perfect choice. A fair but tough leader that can get any job done. Just take a look at her bio and than you will see.
MSgt Roux, Dyess AFB
6/13/2013 11:45:56 AM ET The idea that sexual assault awareness can prevent sexual assault is a joke. The number of SA's in the Air Force is significantly lower than outside the military yet we are constantly forced to sit through outdated SAPC Training. People who are going to sexually assault someone are not going to be deterred by a 30 minute PowerPoint slide. The effort needs to be placed more on screening people who are joining as opposed to scaring everyone into thinking one misinterpreted look at another person can land you in jail and labeled a sex offender. If we continue to let these people into our military the problem will never really go away no matter how Aware of it we are.
Aware Already, USA
6/13/2013 8:53:53 AM ET Why would you take a program run by one AFSC Force Support Officers and make the leader of the program a different AFSC Pilot. All we hear about is how Pilots are the senior leadership of the AF because they are the SMEs on the AF mission. Who are the SMEs of SAPR Force Support Officers To a few comments below...punishing Commanders for not getting convictions They have absolutely no control over that. It is their duty to take the offender to trial. It's JA's baby then. We have been trying to educate Amn to understand what SA is so we can get convictions. We Amn are sitting on the court martials and not convicting them Then they walk off free and clear and the Commander's hands are tied.
Lt, AFB
6/12/2013 11:19:52 PM ET What Reality is spot on. The previous BMT commander was doing exactly what needed to be done to prevent sexual assault in BMT while maintaining good morale given the circumstances. But he was fired to make a statement and the current commander was brought in and she has been a cancer to BMT for the past year. Ask any MTI who has served under her and I'd put my money down that they do not have many polite comments about her. When a new Airman shows up and you think - What has happened down there at Lackland -- you can thank the current 737 TRG leadership. I truly wish the AF would wake up and realize that they are turning a lot of people against it with this style of political leadership.
Former MTI, 179-Land
6/12/2013 10:48:34 PM ET One GO billet saved.
BM3, USA
6/12/2013 8:05:43 PM ET People make me laugh. People say that leadership isn't taking the CANCER of sexual assault seriously enough. Then the Air Force appoints an exceptional 2-star General to lead the anti-sexual assault effort and now people say that we're wasting a 2-star General. I don't get it. I guess people will always search for something to whine about. Maj Gen Woodward is an amazing officer and will do everything she can to end the scourge of sexual assault in the Air Force. We owe it to her and to our Air Force and our country to give her support and best wishes. As for sending the wrong message about what the mission of AF Safety is I don't even know how someone should respond to that. That's one of the most ludicrous comments I've heard on this website in a long time and there's no shortage of ludicrous comments on this website. I don't understand how moving someone from leading one office to another will make people think that the AF Safety office isn't important.
MSgt Brian Potvin, Deployed SWA
6/12/2013 5:33:49 PM ET Wow... Major General. Guess the Air Force just found a two-star lying aroundAF Problem solved... let's just pay the person in charge a couple thousand more a month and give them a couple of enlisted aides... DONEHahahahaha...
Top-Heavy, AFDW-NCR
6/12/2013 4:13:17 PM ET Will this fix it...no. You get convicted you are out....no matter position or AF investment you have AB-Gen...when punishment becomes severe for a 'severe' act then people will stop. AF just made it real expensive to put another FO staff to manage something that could be fixed with some in your face ldrshp.
AF Vet, SW
6/12/2013 2:55:46 PM ET I am excited by the prospect of change...I hope MG Woodward does her very best in her position and will also influence her peers to do the same for lowly people like myself....I have faith the right choice was made.
Hoping for the best, JBLE
6/12/2013 1:41:17 PM ET I wish I could join you in this happy parade of good wishes. Also noted is the command pilot's wings the good lady is wearing so she's done more than fly a desk. I'm from the old school. Good guys can look into this and clean it up. This appointment has a connotation that all men are closet rapists and I don't like it. Men real men don't do this and real men can handle this from the bottom up.
roger fulton, tucson az
6/12/2013 11:46:48 AM ET I don't understand the prevention part and I'm strictly focusing on violent sexual assault which is rare in the military. Most of this is educating people to not put themselves in the other situations. Statistics...1.7 percent of the population is sexually assaulted. .5 percent of the military is. We're not immune to crime.
MI, AL
6/12/2013 7:25:17 AM ET Not to mention all of the added staff and protocol added. I think MG Woodward will do an awesome job but in light of the current fiscal situation what is the added cost for this elevation of the office I am sure they could have found a highly capable Lt Col to replace the former leader of that effort and just increase top cover as needed. But this has gone sky high in Congress so the cost is justified
RC, GA
6/12/2013 7:22:59 AM ET That will fix it Problem Solved
Yes, Man
6/12/2013 6:45:15 AM ET Let us hope they squarely address false sexual assault allegations brought on by jaded females. Yes it happens and those who falsely accuse should be held to the same punishment as those who are actually guilty of sexual assault.
Accused, Exonerated
6/12/2013 5:52:43 AM ET Easy fix to the problem. SJA needs to start punishing people same with commanders. I don't know how many times I see people acquitted of crimes for finding Jesus or good behavior while awaiting trial. Or getting an LOR or Article 15 for beating their spouse and then given OPTIONAL help at Family Advocacy. Start giving maximum punishments and holding people responsible for their actions. Place cameras in the dorms and fix the ones which are broke. Then if the individual is busted throw the book at them make them stand out at the gate with a sign that say Hi my name is X I committed X amount of sexual assaults It cost me this that and the other etc. But no lets create a position when there are common sense fixes to these issues. All that will come of this is a new organization and ADLS training which is not going to solve anything when people slam through the slides in 30seconds and have to waist a day of work to attend some seminar no one cares about. Obviously the
John, Colorado
6/11/2013 4:56:21 PM ET A good choice. There should be a shake up at the very top of the Air Force. Fire top leadership and give the new commanders an ultimatum. Either stop sexual assualts or you will be fired too. Once the commanders are being held accountable you can bet they will hold everyone else accountable too.
Don, USA
6/11/2013 3:55:14 PM ET Is this the same office that was headed up by a Lt Col...wow from O-5 to O-8...while it is obvious that sexual assaults etc. are out of hand...is ths really properly utilizing a Major General
Retired Chief, South Dakota
6/11/2013 2:07:28 PM ET I am very proud to see that Maj General Woodward will be leading this effort. Even prouder to have served under her leadership at MacDill.
Kaye, MacDill
6/11/2013 12:13:07 PM ET I am of the philosophy that if a female is appointed to lead the Air Force Sexual Assault and Prevention Office it will drastically eliminate sexual assaults across the Air Force.A success story recently a female was appointed to lead the 737th TRG in light of the recurrent sexual assaults at Lackland AFB. After her assuming command trainer-on-trainee sexual assaults stopped and morale as a whole increased for JBSA-Lackland.Wait..............NO IT DIDN'T.Led AFSAPR Office 511K Amn protected by SAPR prgm--zero sexual assaults prevented
What, Reality
6/11/2013 10:13:21 AM ET I am glad to see that MGen Woodward has been appointed to this new position. I was very disappointed to see that she was appointed to preside over this issue when first becoming AFSE it completely sent the wrong message to everyone about what the AF safety mission is.
