Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians

Commentaries

  • Commentary: Overcoming abuse

    This is my Air Force story; why despite my difficult life experiences and many jobs I had, I chose to become an Airman.

  • Pursuing a healthy dialogue and stigmatizing rape culture

    As service members, we receive a number of mandatory sexual harassment and assault awareness briefings each year. These briefings address an array of topics, but I would like service members to be given the opportunity to gain a better understanding of what constitutes rape culture.

  • #NotJustApril: Know your part, do your part

    There is a good chance that someone you know has been or may be sexually assaulted in their lifetime, yet 68 percent of victims will not report the crime. If a survivor trusts you enough to share their experience, how will you respond? Will you believe them? Will you be empathic and supportive?

  • AF vet uses marathon training to cope with PTSD

    As a disabled Air Force veteran living with post-traumatic stress from military sexual trauma, I’ve had my good days and bad days but all of my hard work over the past two years paid off Oct. 25 when I achieved one of my goals -- completing my first full marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon.

  • Honest answers to sexual assault myths

    As Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month comes to a close, I want to take the opportunity to address three persistent myths regarding the Air Force’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program. These myths include a commander’s ability to start, stop or otherwise hinder a sexual

  • General courts-martial for sexual assault: How do they work?

    Support for military sexual assault victims and the number of reported offenses have increased in recent years, resulting in more investigations and courts-martial involving sexual assault charges. This article describes the general court-martial process and some of the unique aspects with regards

  • Sexual assault survivor: One Airman’s story

    Sexual assault is a hot topic — one addressed in annual training and at commander’s calls throughout the Air Force — yet the details of victims’ stories are seldom mentioned. This is understandable. These crimes against service members are intensely personal. Also, as many survivors have learned,

  • Why I became a victim advocate for fellow Airmen

    Editor's note: Though the author chose to remain anonymous, this is the real story of one Airman's experience with sexual assault. Be mindful that no two sexual assault stories are the same. If you are anyone you know has been or is currently a victim of any sexual crime, contact the Sexual Assault

  • Finding light through darkness

    That secret is one that took me nearly a year to even reveal to my mother and I have yet to reveal to the majority of my family or friends. The Airmen I serve alongside everyday have no idea that I'm a victim of sexual assault, until now.

  • I will no longer be a victim

    As a young child the horrors of sexual violence arrested my sense of safety, security and the sanctity of my home -- robbing me of self-worth, my voice and the development of healthy boundaries.