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Zero is the only acceptable number

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. Roger H. Watkins
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing commander
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  In a memo by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. Mark Welsh, titled "Combating Sexual Assault in the Air Force," he states an alarming 700 reported sexual assaults will occur in our Air Force this year. He also states, "It's time we all wake up and get mad about it, because the only acceptable number is zero."

The CSAF is so determined to eliminate sexual assault, he gathered all active-duty wing commanders to Washington D.C. to discuss the issue. The CSAF also wrote and reiterated during the commander's discussion, "we are either all part of the solution, or we are part of the problem. Inaction or neutrality is no longer an option."

After returning from that meeting, I ordered a Health and Wellness Inspection throughout the wing. During the inspection, commanders were looking for inappropriate materials in workspaces and common areas. Although we did not find a great deal of inappropriate or offensive material, we did find some and removed it immediately.
Furthermore, we have Airmen who do not feel they are in a work environment free of harassment or offensive materials. Let me reemphasize what I said during my commanders call, I need everyone to understand we need to create the mindset of a conducive, professional and safe work environment for all. Over time, we have had a gradual desensitization and acceptance to potentially offensive material, but it must stop right now.

We will correct and deter conditions which are detrimental to proper standards. We can no longer have the mindset of letting things slide or turning a blind eye when we see or hear inappropriate or offensive behavior. What I ask of each and every one of you is to do the right thing. Do the right thing every single day and be a part of the solution.

The Air Force established a Sexual Assault and Prevention Response program in 2005 focusing on victim care, prevention and accountability. The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 437-SARC (7272).

Our goal is to immediately and permanently reset the environment to remove sexual harassment from our Air Force. From our senior most Air Force leadership to our newest Airmen, we need to work together to eliminate sexual harassment and assault until the number is zero. We cannot and will not accept any other number.