AF leaders testify on academy

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. David A. Jablonski
  • Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON --  Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche led a small contingent of officials to Capitol Hill on Sept. 30 for congressional testimony on allegations of sexual assault at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper and General Counsel Mary L. Walker joined the secretary in a hearing of the Senate Committee on Armed Services.

The three-hour testimony focused on a recent report from a civilian panel reviewing sexual misconduct allegations at the academy. The report was published in September.

The panel was headed by former Florida Congresswoman Tillie K. Fowler. It wrote that there has been a “chasm of leadership” at the academy and beyond. The Air Force has known for years the problem was serious and did not make a concerted effort to correct it. Those responsible for what the panel called a “failure of leadership” should be held accountable, according to the report.

Committee Chairman John Warner said Congress and the Air Force must work together to solve this problem.

“Cadets come from big cities and small communities across America, and they expect a lifestyle and environment that is second to none in terms of quality, integrity and honesty, to build their own individual goals,” he said.

Roche acknowledged the problems and said he remains committed to solving them.

“There have been failures at the Air Force Academy, of that there’s no doubt,” the secretary said. “General Jumper and I have been and remain intensely focused on correcting these problems, restoring the confidence of the American people in their Air Force Academy. Our focus throughout has been on fulfilling our goals of educating, training and inspiring our Air Force leaders of the highest character and integrity, ensuring the safety and security of every cadet and enhancing the trust and confidence of the American people.”

In his testimony, Jumper took full responsibility.

“I am the one responsible,” he said. “We do work these issues as a team, and I feel responsibility for what happens at the U.S. Air Force Academy. We will continue to be engaged, understanding that this is a long-term problem. I want to reiterate that I am the one responsible. I am the one the superintendent reports to. I am responsible for not only the Air Force Academy, but the conduct of an entire Air Force, along with Secretary Roche.”

Following testimony, committee members questioned Air Force leaders about certain details in the report, alleging that information may have been omitted to shield the service’s top leaders from criticism.

Near the end of the hearing, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton asked what leaders will do to correct problems.

“Have you done any self-examination about what better oversight and leadership can be provided by both headquarters and the board of visitors?” Clinton asked.

Roche responded, saying, “Already, we have in place a mechanism to provide oversight of the academy that has a senior level, consisting of the vice chief of staff for the Air Force, the assistant secretary of the air force for manpower ... the general counsel and the superintendent. There’s a working group below that.”

At the conclusion of the hearing, Roche said the academy situation is causing leaders to look at solutions that will apply across the Air Force.

“We are going to look at the suggestions there, because if they’re good enough for women at the academy, they’re good enough for the entire Air Force,” he said.