A cadets point of view
This letter was written by a first-class cadet, sent through the AOG.
Dear Friends and Family,
Today I am writing you amidst a troubling time here at the US Air Force Academy. In recent weeks, light of horrible criminal acts that have allegedly occurred at the Academy have been brought to the attention of the American people through the media. For those of you who are not aware of the circumstance that I am referring to, the local news, CNN, and most recently, 20/20 has televised the story and analysis behind seven sexual assault cases. In each of these seven individual cases, a male cadet has been accused of rape, sometimes on multiple accounts. The special on 20/20 that aired 28 February was particularly revealing, as each of the seven victims told their stories and gave their opinions on the Academy's stance on sexual assault and conduct in general.
I am going to try to refrain from bludgeoning what I thought was a disrespectful and misleading portrayal of one of the finest institutions in the world, done by award winning news-casters and analysts. Instead, I would like to recap what the "facts" of the case were as they were presented and then give you a view of the other side...the side that was not televised.
Several months ago, a single cadet victim wrote to a Denver news source that she had been sexually assaulted and knew of other females at the Air Force Academy who had been as well. She said that she did not have confidence in the disciplinary system here and that she wanted to know if there was anything the news source would do. At that point, the reporter could not do much since the cadet was still enrolled at the Academy. However, upon leaving the Academy (I do not know if she was kicked out or left voluntarily) she contacted the reporter again. From there, six more victims accumulated, each claiming that they had been raped at the Academy. What's worse is that they claim that they did not have enough confidence in the Academy disciplinary system or that they felt (because of the circumstances of the rape) that they would not be given amnesty for their own actions. One of the victims claimed that, "when you're a 4-degree (4th Class Cadet), nobody believes what you say...so I didn't say anything." Another felt that they could not talk to an officer about it because, "talking to an officer is like talking to God." Furthermore, our Superintendent, Lt. Gen John Dallagher, was quoted saying that he was "surprised to hear of the numbers of sexual assault cases" that the news source accused the Academy of having. That number was 70 in the last 6 years. The source of that information was not disclosed.
The idea behind the presentation was to make it seem as if the Academy had an uncontrollable situation on its hand- its male cadets, who are held to a higher standard of character by the public eye, were guilty of an alarming number of sex crimes...and who knows how many more.
First, I want to say that I speak for all permanent party, civilians, and most importantly, all male cadets when I say that sexual assault has not, is not, and will never be tolerated at the US Air Force Academy. Those who commit this crime no longer have the privilege of being called a cadet, a friend, or a citizen of this country in good-standing. They become criminals. Even without conviction of this crime due to legal matters, our knowledge that the individual did such a heinous act warrants such disgrace and discipline that I can guarantee you that they would no longer remain a cadet at this Academy. This institution takes every measure and then some to see that those who are guilty of disciplinary infractions are either dealt with on the tour pad, through disenrollment, or at Fort Leavenworth Military Prison.
With that said, I'd like to address the discrepancies in the show as well as give you some information that the media did not tell you.
1.) Should any cadet claim rape or sexual assault, the case is immediately handled by The Air Force Office of Special Investigation. This is a crime against the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) so the cadet disciplinary system is not involved whatsoever. This is a criminal act and is dealt with as such. Any lack of confidence in the cadet disciplinary system in regards to sexual assault is simply a lack of knowledge as to what jurisdiction that crime falls under. ALL CADETS ARE INFORMED OF THIS DURING BASIC TRAINING.
2.) 6 of the 7 individual cases involved voluntary alcohol consumption in the dorms by the victim during the time of the crime. According to the UCMJ, alcohol consumption limits both parties' ability to grant consent to sex, which is one of the criteria in determining whether rape was committed. 4 of the 7 individuals (that I am positive of) were on some type of probation, be it academic, conduct/aptitude, or honor. I think you all can figure out what those mean, because the bottom line is the same- these were not good cadets. In fact, one of them (the one who told the most lies on TV) was on academic and honor probation and was eventually disenrolled for her own sexual misconduct.
3.) 4-Degrees are not treated differently when it comes to situations like this. Your rank here has absolutely nothing to do with your claim that someone sexually assaulted you. Nothing. I cannot accentuate this more. Despite the "harsh" treatment that one is subjected to during the 4-Degree year, never is that treatment a violation of the UCMJ. In addition, there are Academy regs that stipulate what you can and cannot do to 4-Degrees. Upperclassmen do not have absolute authority or control on a 4-Degree's life.
4.) Talking to an officer is not like talking to God. Every cadet talks to officers every day. Most of us talk to God everyday. The statement made by the individual on the show about this relationship is absurd.
5.) General Dallagher would know if there was a chronic reporting of sexual assault in the Academy. Notice I say in the Academy, not at the Academy. The numbers given to him were not the numbers that we as an institution collect on our own at the Cadets Advocating Sexual Integrity and Education (CASIE). I do not know where those numbers came from and given the misinformation already presented, I would take them with a grain of salt.
In addition to these items, I think that the portrayal of Gen Dallagher as a leader without knowledge of the events occurring at his own institution was unfair and cowardly. One could tell that Gen Dallagher was being cut off as he was explaining himself, as his sound-bytes were short and selective. Gen Dallagher is the most admired man by the Cadets at the Academy. I do not know if this is true in regards the faculty and other permanent party, but I have not met an officer in either association that does not think the highest of him. He is one of the most charismatic, yet down to earth leader that I may ever have the privilege of serving under. His character is infallible; his motives are as pure and non-partisan as you will ever find. I hope dearly that he is still the Superintendent when I graduate on May 29th, 2004.
This is a great institution and a great Air Force. We both are committed to our Air Force core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. To hear and watch the mockery that the media makes it to be is both disturbing and humiliating at the same time. Especially with the current state of affairs in the world, such slanted news is the last thing that the American people want to hear.
I hope that you all can tell (if you saw it) that the program set out with specific intentions and succeeded in conveying an inaccurate image of the Academy. Though this was not mentioned as well, the population responsible for these incidents is less than 1% of the cadet wing, not the overwhelming population that they seem to indicate. Despite this number being so small, it is too much. I cannot say what "steps are being taken" to fix this problem, but unfortunately, I can tell you that cadets are not being tasked with this responsibility. The Academy has been overrun with "visitors" this week, most of them from Washington. I do not think the officer leadership is in any way responsible for this problem. I wholeheartedly believe that in each case, proper due process was exercised, and if the perpetrator was not convicted, it was due to insufficient evidence. This sounds like it is the case considering none of the victims on the show reported the crime within 24 hours after it occurred.
Finally, I want you all to remember that everyone, no matter what institution they attend, no matter what rank they wear on their shoulder or sleeve, no matter what position is placed in front of their name...everyone makes mistakes. And try as we might as a facet of the Armed Forces to always do the right thing, it seems only when the wrong things happen that we earn the media's interest.
We are still the United States Air Force Academy. Our mission continues to be to develop leaders with character in service to our nation, and to produce the finest officers in the world. We look forward to the great mission that will be in our hands in just a few short years, and we look inward to hold ourselves accountable for our actions today. We love this country and the people who live in it. If we did not, we wouldn't be here. I can only ask that you pass this word on to those who may have a misconstrued image of us now, that they may be given the full story and be free to judge from there. As the late philosopher Voltaire once said, "I may not agree with what you say, but I shall defend to my death your right to say it." We, along with the thousands of other service members across the globe uphold that statement today. In closing, please keep the Academy and its personnel in your prayers during this time. And last but not least...
Sincerely, Matt
