SAPR and EO offices visit ASU Air Force ROTC Detachment 847

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Erica Rodriguez
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
SAN ANGELO, Texas --  Angelo State University Air Force ROTC Detachment 847 cadets received briefings from the 17th Training Wing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response and Equal Opportunity offices on sexual assault, harassment and discrimination Jan. 15.

"While the cadets are not required to have a SARC briefing, Air Force ROTC guidance directs that certain topics are covered, including sexual assault and sexual harassment," said Capt. Paul Frisinger, ASU Air Force ROTC Detachment 847 operations flight commander. "Who better to give the briefing than the expert at Goodfellow? Ms. Casey's willingness to come out and brief our cadets is just one example highlighting the great relationship we have with the base and one of the reasons we're so successful."

Donna Casey, 17th Training Wing sexual assault response coordinator, briefs Team Goodfellow members on what the SAPR office provides for victims and ways to prevent sexual assault.

The Air Force has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual assault and provides equal opportunity for all members despite their race, color, religion, national origin and sex; in the case of civilian employees, age and handicapping conditions except prescribed by statue or policy.

As future Air Force leaders, the cadets are taught to be aware of Air Force rules and regulations, which are in place to better lead and help Airmen when facing situations such as sexual harassment and discrimination.

"The cadets are briefed on Air Force and Air Force ROTC policies on sexual harassment at the beginning of every semester," said Frisinger. "From this briefing, I hope the cadets gain a better understanding of sexual assault and discrimination, its prevalence in our society and military, and how we can help eliminate them."

Briefers shared their own personal stories with the cadets and gave them situational demonstrations.

By "being engaged in the lesson [and] seeing our peers placed in some of the uncomfortable situations that we may see in the future really made the subject hit closer to home," said Cadet 1st Lt. Dylan Parrish, Air Force ROTC Detachment 847. "Of the many briefings we've received, especially on the subject of sexual harassment and assault, this one was surely one of the most engaging and personal."

For Cadet 3rd Class Kaitlin Lombardi, Air Force ROTC Detachment 847, she learned about the benefits of equal opportunity available to members.

"I was unaware of equal opportunity prior to the briefings," she said. "From what I learned, I believe they are great programs for the military. Conflicts within a group of people can create a difficult environment. Having Equal Opportunity come in and assess each issue as a third party allows the situation to be eliminated easier and with fewer problems."

The cadets left the briefing with a better understanding of the Air Forces policy on sexual assault, harassment and discrimination and how best to avoid the issues, so they can properly lead and complete the Air Force mission.