AFRICOM's top enlisted advisor: 'Sexual Assault must stop'

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Jack Johnson Jr.
  • Command Chief Master Sgt., U.S. Africa Command
STUTTGART, Germany (AFNS) --  On May 12, Mothers Day, my wife, retired Master Sgt. Candy Johnson and I listened intensely to the Pentagon Channel's viewing of two leaders I greatly admire, our Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF), Secretary Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff (CSAF) General Mark Welsh, as they testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense on May 9.

This necessary process, albeit painful at times, affords both the Air Force and Congress the opportunity to address and support its priorities, concerns and future of America's resources, whether equipment, people and/or money.

As we watched the hearing with great interest, and listened to our nation's elected officials rightfully question the erosion of discipline amongst our ranks, I also watched our SECAF and CSAF rightfully defend the exceptionally high percentage of our great Airmen who faithfully and unselfishly execute their mission and sacrifice all they have, to include potentially losing their life, for the security of our great country. The reality is anything less than full compliance is not, and will never be acceptable to our Nation, our Air Force, nor to me! Unequivocally, we recognize that any member of our force who fail to meet these standards of conduct through deplorable acts such as sexual assault is not simply one grain of sand on a beach, despite all the other great successes we bring, we see that small grain as a mountain, which we cannot, and will not ignore. Enlisted Airmen, this is OUR fight!!

The fact that even one of our Airmen has been sexually assaulted is unacceptable! For the first time in more than 50 years of my life, starting as a family member dependent and now as a service member of 28 years, I've never experienced where congressional testimonies, or American Forces Network radio and television spots, or Stars and Stripes articles have been so consumed with this epidemic within our five military branches of service. Admittedly and justifiably, these testimonies, commercials and articles reflect our military leader's strong plea that this criminal activity, will not, and cannot be tolerated. Enlisted Airmen, this is OUR mission!

I have always been that zealous American who watched our military branches grow strong, and still today, thankfully, we are admired not only by the American public, but also by militaries all over the world. That said, I have never seen one message, more unanimously aired among all services than that of stamping out sexual assaults in our Department of Defense. There is no ambiguity on what our charge is, sexual assault must stop and be deleted from our culture. Enlisted Airmen, this is OUR responsibility!

My message is this; every Airman has a story as to why they decided to be a part of the best and most powerful Air Force in the world. All Airmen have the inalienable right to be safe from sexual assault. To the bystander of potential victims, the greatest courage you can exemplify will be your moral courage to step in and stop any behavior, by both males and females that you see is detrimental to the safety of your wingman. Sexual predators, I will not soften my message but say, sexual assault is one of the lowest and most despicable acts you can do to your wingman. I have heard excuses such as, I drank too much, I didn't think she really meant "No," or we were both in the mood. Airmen, these are OUR sensors!

The most difficult challenge now is, what's next? Our Air Force has been working aggressively to find solutions to end this criminal activity and will not cease until it is eradicated from amongst our ranks. That is our pledge, not only to our Airmen, but to our nation. To the enlisted leaders of all ranks, know your people. If walking through your work centers and having daily rap sessions with your people isn't your forte', you will NOT make a difference in the lives of the very people whose Enlisted Performance Reports you send back and forth, in the belief you've done your job in helping set that enlisted Airman up for success. Out of respect for the size, scope and the demands on your time which often works against you, do you personally do a pulse check, whereby you make the effort to walk around, and also hold your supervisors accountable to do the same? In fact, on the surface your priorities, i.e., perfecting an Airmen's EPR or awards reflects that you are taking care of your Airmen through managerial leadership, but the reality is, it may represent quiet leadership, not necessarily the totality of Caring Leadership.

Although it embarrasses me to say this, because our strength has been and should continue to be one Air Force of many ethnicities, creeds, colors and races, where we pride ourselves as united professionals called Airmen. I humbly appeal to all enlisted leaders at every unit, have you pulled in all your Airmen and talked to them about known indicators and risks which have or could put them at risk. Have you said bluntly, "this is my phone number; I'm available 24 hours a day to you." Senior enlisted females, your unique experience, maturity and trust offers younger Airmen, your peers, as well as your commander the greatest tools to reduce and eliminate vulnerabilities, risks, and threats to female enlisted Airmen. It is important to underscore, this is not putting ownership on the senior enlisted female, but an opportunity to confide in someone who has similar optics. Note, this should never be designed as a private or public network, but a relationship of Caring Leadership! Airmen, this is OUR commitment to you!

Lastly, as a former first sergeant of eight years, Wing, Numbered Air Force, Major Command and now Combatant Command, Command Chief Master Sergeant, I've spoke at almost one hundred First Term Airmen Center briefings, and at the very end of every briefing I would share these words:

"Everyone one of you entered the Air Force, likely for varying reasons, and quite frankly the reasons are not necessarily important, but what is important is that you raised your right hand and accepted to be a part of something greater than yourself alone. But look around, statistically, several of you will go home before your enlistment is over. Although we've taught you everything you needed in Basic Military Training and Technical School in order to be successful, one or two of you will depart from the standards and conduct acceptable to continue to serve in our great Air Force. That said, it will not be you who will inherit the most disappointment from your lack of discipline. It will be your mother, father, sister, brother, grandparents, friends and/or teachers, who may or may not have understood why you joined, but after they saw your transformation into an Airmen, you became the pride of the family...the person your family and friends admired the most. As young Airmen, those close loved ones and friends I've mentioned couldn't wait until you came home for the first time and asked that you wear your uniform. Boy, they couldn't wait to show you off!! You have a steady paycheck, independence, responsibility and most importantly, you have tremendous opportunities ahead of you. All that said, will you have the discipline not to disappoint them because you did something illegal, immoral, or unethical. Think before you act, if not for yourself, for the ones who care about you!"

I salute our SECAF, CSAF, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force and all Airmen who continuously keep sexual assault as their/our number one enemy and I applaud all Airmen who courageously reinforce our zero tolerance demand. We know we have a problem; we will not rest until every Airmen, both female and male, are safe! Many Air Force leaders similar to myself, with one son and two daughters serving in today's Air Force, remain steadfast that our Air Force remains the world's best. We have entrusted our children to our Air Force as a testament of confidence in our Air Force. We are more than professionally, but personally invested in the success of stamping out sexual assault because these Airmen are too OUR daughters, sisters and mothers, as well as sons and fathers.

Humbly written with my utmost appreciation and respect for our United States Air Force Airmen and all members of our Armed Forces who honorably serve today! Collectively, we must defeat sexual assault!