United States Air Force Academy Culture Before And After The Scandel

United States Air force Academy Culture before and After the scandel

U.S Air Force Academy is a military institution which has its own culture as organizations. The problem that hangs over this academy was the sexual assault scandal which reached more than 56 cases of rape and sexual Assault, in which already has reported over the last 10 years. Investigators Work to discover the facts, to know more about the details which hasn't been easy because of the lightly controlled atmosphere that characterizes this and other military institutions. However, Air Force Secretary

"James Roche" was busy in thinking how to deal with this violent problem, what dose it take to change the culture of Air Force Academy that leads to have this scandal and how we can manage the place. Moreover, The U.S Navy's scandal that occurred in Tail hook in 1991 was the first public indication of the issues that existed in the military and the main reason to arise this scandal in the academy. Air Force Academy is not only the organization that was dealing with sexual assault but also there were some other organizations too such as, Harvard University, The U.S Military Academy and Naval Academy.

After the scandal the former leader and the current one tried to change the culture. There were nearly 50 changes directed in the "Agenda for Change" issued by the Air Force Secretary and Chief of Staff in March 2003. Changes range from standing up a sexual assault response team to the clustering together of female cadets' dorm rooms to cracking down on underage drinking and alcohol abuse to strengthening the roles of the active duty officers and non-commissioned officers assigned to each of our 36 cadet squadrons.

Beginning with the new class of freshmen who entered the Academy last summer, the administration have changed the Basic Cadet Training system that was based on yelling and in-your-face intimidation to one that's equally challenging, but focuses on leadership, problem solving and education, while preserving human dignity. It is vastly different from the one your guests experienced as freshman cadets.

They also instituted an Academy Response Team comprised of command, medical, counselling and legal experts on call around the clock to immediately respond to and care for victims of alleged sexual assault. The ART's goal is to provide a victim the initial care, treatment, comfort and advice she (or he) may need to deal with a traumatic situation. Which shows the social responsibility of the academy? Its additional mission--once the victim is stabilized--is to preserve evidence so we can investigate the alleged crime for follow-on legal or disciplinary action, if warranted.

The cadet disciplinary system is changing from one of demerits and weekend room restrictions or hours marching on the "tour" pad to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the legal system under which all of America's Armed Forces operate. Cadets found guilty of crimes under the UCMJ will face a range of punishments, including discharges and jail time, if appropriate.

The academy have teamed with outside rape and sexual assault response and crisis experts to help educate and advise us on how to handle these offences and care for the victims.

Further more they have met with members of the clergy to exchange information about how best to deal and act with the different cultural mores, beliefs and attitudes our young people bring with them when they enter the Academy.

They conducted a Climate Survey with all of our cadets in August to determine what they think about the changing situation at their school and how they feel about sexual assault. And they are acting on the results of that survey.

In addition, all of the cases are under review by DoD and Air Force officials to determine if they were properly handled at the time they were reported. Also being reviewed are the actions of senior Air Force and Academy officials over the past 10 years to determine if their responses to the assaults were appropriate

This case relates to the issues of Social responsibility of the academy and how it had moved a step forward to care more about the cadets and less about the managers or administrative of the academy. They also set various plans to secure the equality and fight any kind of sexual harassment in the future.

However, a year after the scandal some cadets say the atmosphere is so poisonous that they are afraid a simple request for a date or a sip of alcohol could end their careers.

And some cadets warn that the once-punishing training regimen has been relaxed so much that the Air Force's effectiveness could suffer. Yet, some freshmen say they are pleased they no longer are treated "like dirt."

In recent interviews with The Associated Press, a dozen cadets, from freshmen to seniors, described their struggles since female cadets began complaining they were reprimanded or ostracized after they reported being raped.

"A lot of guys are afraid to even ask a girl out because she will take it wrong," said freshman Paul Zielinski of Erie, Pennsylvania.

Janelle Hyde of Palm Desert, California, said she cannot go anywhere alone with a male upperclassman, while fellow freshman Katherine Smith of Paris, Texas, complained: "Some guys say, 'I won't date her because she will call rape."'

In a statement, the academy's new superintendent, Lt. Gen. John Rosa, acknowledged there have been growing pains with the new policies, which were prompted by at least 142 assaults--many of them involving alcohol--between 1993 and 2002.

"I would hope that our young men are not afraid to approach our young women, but it's understandable, given all the attention given to gender issues here, that some might be overly cautious in their contacts," he said.

In January 2002, cadets began contacting members of Congress with complaints of assault and indifference from commanders. A year later, cadets began going public, touching off several investigations. The Air Force ultimately installed four new leaders and drew up the new policies.

Among other things, the academy issued sterner warnings about sexual assault, harassment, fraternization and supplying alcohol to underage cadets. It also ordered cadets to keep the doors to their rooms open all the way whenever they have a visitor, and for the first time said cadets may not enter the room

...