General briefs senators on sexual harassment in Air Force

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Scott Elliott
  • Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON --  Sexual harassment is a problem in the Air Force, but the service’s second-highest ranking officer assured members of the U.S. Senate that it has the full attention of senior leaders.

Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley testified Feb. 25 before the Senate Armed Services Committee subcommittee on personnel. He was joined by other service vice chiefs of staff and Dr. David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.

Critics have blasted the military’s handling of sexual harassment cases, such as the exposure last year of events at the Air Force Academy and, more recently, at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. One example, a report from the Denver Post, read by Texas Senator John Cornyn, implied it may be that “a secret handshake bonds the Congress and military preventing any meaningful change.”

“Let me tell you the bottom line up front,” General Moseley said. “These are our people. These are our airmen. These are our kids, and we take this seriously. One (case of sexual harassment) is too many.

“An impression that there are ‘handshakes’ or ‘agreements’ out there is not only not true but a bit insulting, because these are our kids,” he said. “We take them as a national treasure.”

Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper made sweeping changes to leadership and policy at the Air Force Academy last year following reports of several cases of sexual harassment.

According to General Moseley, those changes have had dramatic results -- a 35-percent increase in female applications to attend the academy over last year, and an overall all-time high.

The Air Force has also dispatched a 22-member team to conduct a sexual assault review panel at Sheppard. The investigation is ongoing, but General Moseley briefed lawmakers on the preliminary reports.

“The summary is [that] the students feel safe, they know how to report occurrences of sexual assault, and they trust the base leadership,” he said. “At Sheppard, and at all levels of command supervision, members are actively engaged in providing a safe and secure environment.”

Investigators randomly surveyed 5,035 students and conducted 1,000 face-to-face interviews. The general said that 85 percent of those surveyed believe reporting is encouraged and reinforced, 90 percent are absolutely confident in the process, 95 percent of females surveyed feel safe, and 92 percent of the females expressed confidence in their leadership and commanders’ efforts in this area.

There have been 45 reported cases of sexual assault at Sheppard since 1993, General Moseley said. Of those, 19 went to court-martial, 15 of which were found guilty. The remaining 26 offenders received non-judicial punishment through Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor asked General Moseley if he thought the UCMJ should be revised or if unit commanders are allowed too much discretion in sexual assault cases.

“I do not believe commanders have too much discretion because we (hold them) accountable for the conduct of combat, the engagement of combat and for the well-being of (their) troops,” the general said. “A commander is a commander and is ultimately responsible … for the activities of (his or her) unit and the prosecution of his mission.”

Regarding the UCMJ, General Moseley said he is open to suggestion.

“I would welcome any review that would make the addressing of these issues better and quicker, and with more finality,” he said. “I would welcome any review that allows us the ability to protect … the victim, that would allow us to accelerate the process, and would us to prosecute the perpetrator in a more robust manner.”

General Moseley told the committee that the Air Force is using five goals as an assessment of existing policies and programs in all major commands. The goals are:

-- Striving to eliminate sexual assault and the climate that will tolerate it.

-- Ensuring an environment where victims have confidence to report.

-- Conducting appropriate investigation, including prosecution.

-- Effectively addressing victims’ health and well-being.

-- Ensuring commanders and higher headquarters oversee program effectiveness.

“I can assure you that this issue is on the front burner of our senior leadership,” General Moseley said. “It is my commitment to (our airmen) to see that their service is free from the threat of assault and completed with honor and dignity.”