# data[].attributes.body
Field of Education: Military flight instruction.

Professional Perspective: I am a military educator that not only teaches helicopter initial qualifications to brand new aviators but also upgrades experienced flyers to instructors. Part of my job is also onboarding experienced instructors.

Audience: New schoolhouse instructors; peers, but less familiar with the formality of the helicopter schoolhouse.

Topic: Unprofessional Relationships.

Reason for Topic: A major concern, and cause for scandal, in the Air Education & Training Command is the breakdown in good order and discipline that follows when unprofessional relationships between instructors and students occur.

# data[].attributes.body
Often called upon to assist the U.S. Government with analysis, in 2015 the RAND Corporation published An Integrated Survey System for Addressing Abuse and Misconduct Toward Air Force Trainees During Basic Military Training.

The events sparking this study also spurred the subject of professional and unprofessional relationships to the forefront. The report itself covers background information, survey methodology, and then results from the trainees as well as Military Training Instructors (MTIs).

# data[].attributes.body
- Even outside of training units, unprofessional relationships are investigated and penalized to the maximum extent possible.

- This commander was under investigation for multiple unprofessional relationships. Some fraternizers can quietly erode good order and discipline for years before being caught.

https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/air-force-commander-is-fired-for-fraternization-1.668136

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
WASHINGTON - The commander of a South Carolina-based airlift unit was fired Thursday following an investigation into relationships he had that were deemed inappropriate, according to the Air Force.

Col. Jaron Roux was found to have "engaged in unprofessional relationships and fraternization," according to a statement by the 18th Air Force. He is the commander of the 437th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Charleston.

Roux was fired by Maj. Gen. Kenneth Bibb Jr., the commander of the 18th Air Force, due to a "lack of confidence in his ability to command" after the allegations were substantiated, according to the statement.

"Commanders are placed in a special position of trust and are expected to exemplify the highest standards of conduct personally and professionally," Bibb said in the prepared statement. "I must have complete confidence in our wing commanders to lead airmen, maintain good order and discipline, and execute the mission in an environment where professional relationships and the Air Force core values serve as the foundation for our actions."

Roux has been reassigned to the headquarters of Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., which is about 24 miles east of St. Louis, Mo. The vice commander of the wing, Col. Christopher Robinson, is now serving as the interim commander.

Roux assumed command of the wing in August, according to the base's official Facebook page. The unit has 41 C-17A Globemaster III aircraft, which are used for cargo and transportation of personnel, according to the unit's official website. Their missions include special operations and humanitarian relief.

Roux graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2000 and is a C-17A pilot, according to his official biography.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Air Force commander is fired for fraternization

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
WASHINGTON - The commander of a South Carolina-based airlift unit was fired Thursday following an investigation into relationships he had that were deemed inappropriate, according to the Air Force. Col. Jaron Roux was found to have "engaged in unprofessional relationships and fraternization," according to a statement by the 18th Air Force.

# data[].attributes.body
- Insular educational communities such as the Air Force Academy are difficult for investigators to pierce.

- Cadets that are victims of sexual assault will not be punished for unprofessional relationships or underage alcohol use.

- Due to the power imbalance in unprofessional relationships taking place in training units, there may be an element of spoken or unspoken coercion.

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/07/31/the-air-force-academy-just-dropped-a-huge-barrier-preventing-sexual-assault-victims-from-stepping-forward/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Air Force Academy will no longer punish cadets who are victims of sexual assault for underage drinking, fraternization or certain other "collateral" misconduct violations, in an effort to increase reporting of such assaults.

In a May 8 memo, signed by Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Kristin Goodwin, the academy said that sexual assault victims often don't come forward because they fear being punished for crimes that would emerge during the assault investigation.

"Collateral misconduct by a victim of sexual assault is one of the most significant barriers to reporting the assault because of the victim's fear of punishment," the memo said.

The memo also said other such violations associated with a cadet's sexual assault, such as adultery, could still warrant punishment. But to "encourage reporting, avoid unnecessary additional trauma, and maintain good order and discipline," the memo said, commanders have been given more leeway to decide what, if any, corrective actions should be taken, and when.

The new "safe to report" policy was first reported by the Colorado Springs Gazette on July 28.

Other collateral misconduct violations of regulations governing cadet standards, which in most cases will not be punished if uncovered during a sexual assault investigation, include possession of alcohol in the dorms, consensual sexual activity in the cadet area, unprofessional relationships or fraternization among cadets, or so-called "over the fence" violations, or sneaking off-base. The memo said that those offenses "represent some of the most common barriers to reporting."

However, they could still be punished if there are aggravating circumstances increasing the seriousness of such violations, or its effect on good order and discipline.

When it comes to other forms of collateral misconduct, commanders will consider each violation - as well as whether and when the assault victim should be punished by an administrative or disciplinary action - on a case-by-case basis, the memo said.

When making that decision, commanders will weigh whether the collateral misconduct was already known before the sexual assault was reported, and whether that misconduct would have emerged otherwise. Commanders should also consider whether, if they do discipline the sexual assault victim for such a violation, it might dissuade future victims from reporting their sexual assaults.

If a commander decides a punishment is warranted, he should "consider actions that minimize or eliminate impacts on the victims' career," the memo said.

Commanders can defer punishments until the sexual assault case is finished, according to the memo.

Sometimes, it's not a fear of victims themselves getting in trouble making them reluctant to come forward. The memo said victims can also hold back because they're worried about getting their friends and peers in trouble for violations they committed, and that would emerge during a sexual assault investigation.

To fix that problem, the memo said commanders should similarly consider this policy when disciplining cadets other than the assault victim, when weighing punishments for misconduct uncovered during the assault investigation.

Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter at Defense News. He previously reported for Military.com, covering the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare. Before that, he covered U.S. Air Force leadership, personnel and operations for Air Force Times.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Air Force Academy just eliminated a huge barrier to sexual assault victims stepping forward

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Air Force Academy will no longer punish cadets who are victims of sexual assault for underage drinking, fraternization or certain other "collateral" misconduct violations, in an effort to increase reporting of such assaults. In a May 8 memo, signed by Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen.

# data[].attributes.body
Air Force Instruction 36-2909, Professional and Unprofessional Relationships.

- Para 3.5.2. is most applicable, dealing with technical training.

- Faculty will not form social relationships with trainees or their immediate family members, and any promises or threats regarding a trainee's grade or status are strictly forbidden.

http://pubs.afmentor.com/pubs/afi36-2909.pdf

# data[].attributes.body
10 U.S.C. Ch 47 is the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the collection of articles by which servicemembers are prosecuted through the military courts system.

Article 92 (§ 892) refers to failure to obey a lawful order or regulation, such as the Air Force Instruction on unprofessional relationships.

Article 132 (§ 932) covers retaliation, in this context specifically when the junior member in a coercive unprofessional relationship, or a third party, report the misdeed. Additionally, the Air Force Academy article reduces the threat of retaliation against cadets correctly reporting such a relationship.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/subtitle-A/part-II/chapter-47

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Amendments

1994- Pub. L. 103-337, div. A, title IX, § 924(c)(3)(B), , 108 Stat. 2832, substituted "United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces" for "Court of Military Appeals" in item for subchapter XII.

1989- Pub. L. 101-189, div. A, title XIII, § 1304(a)(1), , 103 Stat. 1576, added item for subchapter XII.

1983- Pub. L. 98-209, § 5(h)(1), , 97 Stat. 1400, substituted "IX. Post-Trial Procedure and Review of Courts-Martial" for "IX. Review of Courts-Martial".

1958- Pub. L. 85-861, § 33(a)(6), , 72 Stat. 1564, substituted 801, 807, 815, 816, 822, 830, 836, 855, 859, 877 and 935 for 1901, 1913, 1929, 1931, 1943, 1959, 1971, 2009, 2017, 2053 and 2169, respectively.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 U.S. Code Chapter 47 - UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Amendments 1994- Pub. L. 103-337, div. A, title IX, § 924(c)(3)(B), , 108 Stat. 2832, substituted "United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces" for "Court of Military Appeals" in item for subchapter XII. 1989- Pub. L. 101-189, div. A, title XIII, § 1304(a)(1), , 103 Stat. 1576, added item for subchapter XII.

# data[].attributes.body
United States v. Estacio is the case wherein a former trainer, Staff Sergeant Estacio, is charged for his wrongdoing in an unprofessional relationship. It is important to note that even after a student is under a military instructor's care, it is unlawful for a social or sexual relationship to exist if that student is still in training status.

https://afcca.law.af.mil/content/afcca_opinions/cp/estacio-38256.u.pdf

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE)

# data[].attributes.body
While not a military source, it is important to note that the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification also provide guidance for ethical conduct.

Principle 1B, as an example, covers that a professional educator will not retaliate against a person making an ethical complaint about the educator's conduct.

https://www.nasdtec.net/page/MCEE_Doc

# data[].attributes.body
Within our training unit, the squadron commander made it policy that instructors could not accept social media invites from students until one year after those students graduated from our courses.

This is stricter than high level guidance on that specific issue, and ensured that any undue social influence from an instructor would be mitigated, if present, and that the odds of an unprofessional relationship forming were slightly lower when pursued through online means.

# data[].attributes.body
"Integrity First" is the ethical principle most applicable, which is derived from the USAF's Core Values.

It is widely known that unprofessional relationships are unsatisfactory, and can end a career while severely damaging unit morale or discrediting a training program.

Due to this, instructors and students need to act with integrity and avoid or report fraternization.

https://www.airman.af.mil/Portals/17/001%20Home%20Page/005_The_Little_Blue_Book/Profession%20of%20Arms_Final_For%20Screen.pdf?ver=2015-08-21-135633-6

# data[].attributes.headline
Slide 12 - Personal Connection to Legal and Ethical Standards

# data[].attributes.subject
Slide 12 - Personal Connection to Legal and Ethical Standards

# data[].attributes.body
My connection to these standards is that as a military member, and educator, I am also bound to these regulations.

While unprofessional relationships and the issues surrounding them do not directly interact with my education goals, a foray into acting unethically would completely derail my education goals as well as future credibility in any teaching community.

As I am responsible for onboarding new permanent party instructors to the unit, I owe the "new hire" the background information on why unprofessional relationships are such an issue in the training community. Much of avoiding unethical behavior involves mutual accountability, so establishing that atmosphere early is critical.

# data[].attributes.headline
Slide 13 - Recommendations and Implications

# data[].attributes.subject
Slide 13 - Recommendations and Implications

# data[].attributes.body
- Before interacting with students, familiarize yourself with both Air Force and local guidance on this issue.

- Our students are adult learners, which makes our jobs easier. Treat them as adults - but not as friends. Stay professional.

- If you suspect a co-worker of malfeasance, confront them with humility and from a place of caring

- If a student makes flirtatious comments or appears overly friendly, remind them of the established formal boundaries of your professional relationship.

- If these comments are public, in front of other students, immediately work to re-establish a professional atmosphere. I have had to do this by addressing the room and turning the event into an impromptu lesson on ethics and best practices.

- After you have dealt with that situation as directly as possible, update your co-workers (especially supervisors) so you are all on the same page. This helps keep the relatively small instructor cadre on the same page, and also pre-empts having to worry about rumor control.