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Taking a stand

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Elizabeth Van Patten
  • 94th Airlift WIng Public Affairs
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. --  Members of the 94th Airlift Wing attended a mandatory commander's call on Aug. 4 at the Fuel Maintenance Dock for the purpose of conducting annual Sexual Assault Awareness training, known as the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response stand-down.

This SAPR stand-down follows direction from the secretary of defense to conduct training for personnel before Aug. 31.

During the stand-down, the 94th Airlift Wing focused on definitions of sexual assault, reporting options, the changing culture of the Air Force and the newly created special victims' councils. The special victims' council provides lawyers with specialized training to advise sexual assault victims and guide them through the criminal justice system.

"The military has recognized that we have an issue with sexual assault and we are taking additional steps to empower our entire force to collectively work to stop this problem before it progresses," said Brande Newsome, 94th AW sexual assault response coordinator. "The focus for the 94th AW will be on leadership taking on the issue of sexual assault prevention and response by leading the Stand-down Day initiative from the top."

The stand-down kicked off with a wing commander's call, during which Col. Timothy Tarchick, 94th AW commander, spoke to the masses about his perspective and expectations in reference to this issue.

"This is about creating a climate of respect and zero tolerance for those who don't follow the rules," said Tarchick. "Today isn't about something that may happen. It's about something that we as a military and Air Force are currently experiencing, and we need everyone to help prevent this crime before it happens to another fellow Airman or dependent or Department of Defense civilian."

Wing personnel then transitioned back to their squadrons to hear from their respective commanders on their approach to eliminating this problem. Lt. Col. Mark Cumbee, 700th Airlift Squadron commander, spoke to pilots, navigators, flight engineers, loadmasters, and squadron support staff, taking a candid approach to stress his zero-tolerance policy.

"The bottom line is that we need to treat each other with respect," said Cumbee. "There's probably one percent of society that are deviants. We don't want them in the Air Force. We need to identify them, isolate them, and get rid of them! If that's personal, then good. I want it to be personal. I will do whatever I can to get rid of this cancer."

Members also had an opportunity to be involved in discussion, role play and to reinforce bystander intervention skills as a way of enhancing response capability.

Chief Master Sgt. Wendell Peacock, 94th AW command chief, reflected on the success of the stand-down.

"Taking a day to reflect on our priorities and have candid discussions about sexual assault will reinforce honor and respect for all Airmen," said Peacock. "It is important that we took this pause from our busy schedules and ensured we are all crystal clear in our understanding that sexual assault is absolutely incompatible with our service to our country. I am confident we accomplished our goals today and walked away a stronger Air Force."