From the moment you raised your hand to take the Oath of Enlistment, you were accepted into the profession of arms. All professions, including the military, have rules regarding professional conduct and professional relationships.
The Military Equal Opportunity (MEO) program helps promote an environment free from personal, social and institutional barriers that prevent AF members from rising to the highest level of responsibility possible. It guarantees that Airmen will be evaluated only on individual merit, capability and performance.
Later, you will have in–depth classes on Human Relations and Sexual Assault Prevention and Treatment. But for now, here is the critical information you need to understand until you get these classes.
Unprofessional relationships between permanent party personnel (instructors and staff) and trainees are strictly prohibited. Trainees and permanent party personnel will NOT date or engage in sexual or social relationships.
You will not establish, develop, and attempt to develop or conduct a social, personal, intimate or sexual relationship with MTIs. You should not be contacted by your MTI by phone or through social media such as Facebook, Twitter, or texts.
You will ensure your relationships with MTIs are professional. Trainees are not allowed to be alone with a person of the opposite gender, either another trainee or permanent party personnel.
This includes being in the opposite gender dormitory without a Military Training Instructor (MTI) present, closed-door office counseling or riding in a motor vehicle.
Permanent party personnel must report any prohibited personal or social media contact from any Trainee/student, or the family member or friend of any Trainee/student, to their chain of command immediately.
If the personal contact involves an item (i.e. card, letter, gift, etc.) that arrived in the mail or was left behind, the MTI must submit it to their chain of command immediately.
Trainees will treat each other with the utmost dignity and respect. There will be no name-calling, teasing or harassment. Permanent party personnel will treat you in the same manner.
The AF has “zero tolerance” for sexual harassment and sexual assault. The AF is committed to deter sexual assault through robust education and training programs, appropriate supervision and policies.
As a new Servicemember, you must understand our military culture will not tolerate sexual assault and you must know what to do in the event of an offense.
The AF’s goal is to sustain an environment in which our Airmen feel secure enough to report assaults as they occur. The AF swiftly and thoroughly investigates all allegations and punishes perpetrators when the results of these investigations dictate. No one, including other trainees or permanent party personnel, should do the following:
- Make unwelcome sexual advances toward you
- Request sexual favors from you
- Engage in verbal conduct, physical contact or gestures of a sexual nature
Hazing
This behavior causes another person to suffer or be exposed to activity that is cruel, abusive, humiliating, oppressive, demeaning or harmful. Hazing will not be tolerated. All AF customs and courtesies are conducted with the highest degree of professionalism and dignity.
Secret initiation rites are NOT allowed. BMT is your only indoctrination into the AF and the profession of arms. Immediately report any instances of maltreatment, maltraining or hazing using your chain of command.
Decency
While living in close quarters, here or in a deployed environment, everyone is expected to show common courtesy and respect by demonstrating modesty. What was once acceptable prior to AF life may not be acceptable now.
With the exception of the shower and drying areas, trainees will not walk around unclothed. Show respect for others by properly covering yourself as you walk through the dormitory.
Sexual Crimes Prevention
Sexual crimes such as rape or sodomy involve forcing a person to submit to sexual intercourse and can happen to both males and females.
While in BMT, follow these guidelines to minimize chances of becoming a victim of a sexual crime:
- Never put yourself in a compromising position (follow the Trainee Rules of Conduct)
- Report those who do not follow rules (exercise professional behavior)
In the unlikely event you find yourself in a threatening situation, rely on your judgment. Some recommended actions to take:
- Reason with your attacker as it may turn their attention to something else
- Be assertive by loudly yelling, “No!” and screaming for help
- Physically resist by stomping on the attacker’s foot or kicking them in the groin
Reporting Sexual Crimes or Attempted Sexual Crimes
As you go through BMT training, you’ll receive training on sexual assault at various points in the program which may trigger difficult emotions.
You always have the option to meet with a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), anonymously; that is without anyone in your flight including your MTI, your wingman or anyone in the chain of command knowing the specific reason.
You may also use the Trainee Hotline Phones, available 24/7.
Two Reporting Methods
Restricted (Confidential) Reporting
When you access the SARC directly or a Medical Provider, without discussing the specific details of your situation with your Military Supervisors, you reserve the right to keep your information confidential and not prompt a formal investigation. Anonymous reporting is one way to do that.
You may also tell any of your military supervisors that you want to see the SARC – without providing any details. In this case they will know you’re seeking help, but they will not know or seek to know, the specifics of your situation. This is important, if you want to maintain confidentiality - do not discuss details beyond asking to see the SARC.
The advantage of this is, you can report an allegation of sexual assault and get access to medical care, supply forensic evidence and receive victim advocacy counseling without triggering an investigative process.
Unrestricted Reporting
You provide the details of your sexual assault or attempted sexual crime to anyone in your chain of command or any of the offices listed below:
- MTI
- Instructor supervisor
- Squadron superintendent
- First sergeant
- Director of Operations (DO)
- Commander
- Office of Special Investigations (OSI)
- Security Forces
- DoD SAFE Helpline
- SARC
This will trigger a law enforcement investigation through Security Forces or Office of Special Investigation (OSI).
The advantages of this are: when cases are investigated, offenders can be pursued through prosecution and held accountable for their crime which may include being discharged from the AF.
Other Information
Your chain of command is here to provide you with the help and support you need. If you feel you were sexually harassed or assaulted during your recruitment, you may report it now. If you would like to make an unrestricted report, which will start an investigation, please see your commander after you receive this briefing.
If you would like to make a restricted report (confidential), notify your MTI that you would like to speak to a SARC representative. When notifying your MTI, do not discuss any details regarding your assault. This violates your confidentiality and your report immediately becomes unrestricted.
If you are a victim of a sexual crime, remember these key pieces of information:
- The sooner you report the crime, the greater the chances the attacker will be caught
- Do not bathe, shower or change clothes before being examined as these actions destroy valuable evidence
- The first concern when a sexual assault is reported is for the well-being of the victim
- Regardless of which type of report you choose, know that your needs as a victim remain the top priority
Maltreatment and Maltraining
Your MTIs will be tough but fair. No MTI should engage in any type of maltreatment. All training is based on required training objectives that will always be made clear to you. Verbal and physical abuse by other trainees, staff or MTIs will not be tolerated.
- No person should use language that degrades, belittles, demeans, ridicules or slanders anyone based on color, national origin, race, religion, age, ethnic group, gender or physical stature
- The use of profanity or disrespectful language is prohibited
- Unnecessary physical contact is not authorized (e.g., no one should hit, poke, thump, push or grab another person)
- No one should threaten to physically harm another person
- No one should order anyone to perform degrading or humiliating tasks in the name of training