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Osan moves for cultural change

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alexis Siekert
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Service members face challenging situations every day all in the line of protecting the United States' freedoms, yet of the challenges, there is one created within the ranks that has proved to be one of the greatest.

Recently, sexual assault has become one of the biggest issues on the table for military leadership. In an attempt to reduce the number of assaults, the culture of the Air Force must change. To spark the change, Secretary of Defense Chuck Haggle directed all service branches to hold a Sexual Assault Prevention Response stand-down day by the end of June.

Osan Airmen came together June 21 for its mandated stand-down day.

The SAPR stand-down day began with a commanders call lead by Col. Patrick McKenzie, 51st Fighter Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Brendan Criswell, 51st FW command chief. During the briefing, the Airmen were addressed on the importance of creating a culture of zero tolerance of sexual assault.

"Sexual assault is a problem - so it's our problem to fix and we really need to fix this," McKenzie said.

The SAPR annual training was also hosted during the commander's call, followed by a question and answer period with leadership. Many questions on restricted versus unrestricted reporting were asked, but the focus came down to something a little more Osan-specific: alcohol.

"Many of the problems we have here are related to alcohol use," McKenzie said. "Play it smart and don't take the unnecessary risk of becoming a victim or perpetrator of sexual assault by having sex while under the influence."

Base members were also required to watch videos prepared by Air Force leadership on the topic. A popular quote in both came from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III who said, "You're either part of the solution or part of the problem."

"It's a big problem for our nation, but we have the ability to lead the pack on this," Welsh said at the service's fiscal 2014 budget request to the Senate Armed Services Committee May 7. "We have the organizational structure -- leadership, training, education, disciplinary system and judicial process -- that allows us to attack every aspect of this problem. We should be the best in the world at it."

The SARC office is always looking for potential candidates for Victim Advocates. Although at times challenging, it can also be rewarding. If you are interested in becoming a VA, please send an email to 51FWCVK@osan.af.mil or call 784-2832.