6/27/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO -- LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) -- Air Force officials announced today the cases of two Air Force military training instructors (MTIs) assigned to the 737th Training Group at Lackland have been referred to special courts-martial at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. These cases come as part of a larger investigation into sexual misconduct by Air Force basic military training instructors.
Master Sgt. Jamey Crawford, is alleged to have wrongfully conducted a sexual relationship with a basic trainee, wrongfully provided alcohol to and consumed alcohol with the same trainee and allegedly committed adultery with the same trainee.
Technical Sgt. Christopher Smith, is alleged to have engaged in wrongfully seeking to develop and conduct a personal and intimate relationship with a trainee, wrongfully making sexual advances toward a trainee and wrongfully carrying on a personal social relationship with a second trainee and obstruction of justice.
The trial dates for Crawford and Smith have not yet been set. They are each expected to go to a special court-martial at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. As soon as a trial date is set, it will be available on the Air Force docketing website:(http://www.afjag.af.mil/docket/index.asp).
Twelve cases of Basic Military Training instructors involved in alleged misconduct with trainees have been investigated since allegations surfaced last year.
Of the 12 cases, seven involve allegations of misconduct by MTIs with trainees while they were in Basic Military Training. The others involve allegations that the misconduct occurred after the trainees had left basic training and were in technical training.
As with all accused, they are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
(Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs)
Comments
6/29/2012 11:02:18 PM ET You have no clue what you are talking about. 13 out of 495 Stop presuming them guilty until innocent. So many ignorant individuals who have no clue what we do down here. The court of public opinion is the road to summary executions. I guess we forget sometimes about the whole innocent until proven guilty thing you know what you served to protect Jay SMS ret.
MTI, TX
6/29/2012 10:46:56 AM ET As a recruiter I understand how the honest MTI's feel right now. A few bad apples have given this career a black eye and shame to the USAF. They abused their power and our most precious resourse our people. These trainees will be future leaders one day and I hope that this happening to them does not make them think this is the norm. May all that had a part in this be brought to justice
RIC, USA
6/29/2012 9:39:50 AM ET It's the good ole boy culture in the military. For those that are prosecuted there are twice as many others still out there treating the military personnel as their own personal playground. It's been going on for years now they are trying to do something about it. The military leaders can't keep up with this. And I believe military leaders refuse to believe that their best and brightest are reprobates so many go unpunished. Zero tolerance means zero tolerance.
survivor, Rome NY
6/29/2012 9:30:51 AM ET @ Fish as a former instructor myself there can be no consent for any type of relationship other that strictly professional between a trainee and an instructor. Regardless of what the story mentions rape did occur.
MSgt D, conus
6/29/2012 8:15:28 AM ET Looking back over the last few years and all the social experiments on the system proves if you mess with something that works long enough you can eventually break it
Snuffy, Florida
6/28/2012 6:57:23 PM ET Not only do these NCOs need to be held accountable for their actions but their leadership as well. Not only squadron commanders but the entire chain through the Center and MAJCOM Commanders for their negligence in creating an atmosphere where NCOs felt they could prey on their charges the most vulnerable of Airmen with impunity. The entire chain of command is culpable the entire chain must be held accountable to set an example for all who follow.
Paul, MARYLAND
6/28/2012 4:37:52 PM ET Two words would cure this: chemical castration.
Stuart, Planet Earth
6/28/2012 4:06:15 PM ET Integrity first. Integrity FIRST. INTEGRITY FIRST. Too bad we don't drum people out anymore. They'll do a few years making big rocks into little rocks come out and write a book about how they had bad parents and end up doing guest spots on Doctor Phil.
SGT ROCK, EASY COMPANY
6/28/2012 12:11:30 PM ET @ Fish: I did read the article, my friend. I also read articles on other sites that say there are other TI's that will be charged with rape and/or sexual assualt. As I said, the rapists, should they be found guilty, should be lined up in a field and shot.
Jay SMS ret, DC
6/28/2012 10:00:13 AM ET Where does the accountability end The damage done a JBSA will affect the entire Air Force the community from where we get our recruits as well as those yet unborn. Someone must stand up for right
Oscar Blackcat, Everywhere
6/28/2012 9:11:40 AM ET As a former MTI from 1989-94 this is a disgrace to all of those hard working men and women who are doing the right thing. That is one thing that is beat into you from day one is you CANNOT have relations with trainees period If found guilty they should be given the maximum punishment allowed I hope the prosecution does not plea bargain a light sentence just to get this out of the news. Do what is right for the victims here punish these predators and then let them rot in jail. This makes me sick
Andy, Fredericksburg VA
6/27/2012 6:17:41 PM ET Jay read the article again. The issue is not rape but improper relationships. One MTI had such a relationship and the other attempted to do the same.
Fish, New Mexico
6/27/2012 4:40:49 PM ET What happened to my Air Force Seriously I learned a long time ago to live in the belief perception is reality. Now the perception is we've lost our Core Values at the point where the troops are the most vulnerable. How can anyone embrace a culture that's proven itself to abuse power and render the victims helpless Regardless of the few bad apples making the whole bundle look bad - it's now a measure of shame on us all I'm simply disgusted. Those few who've tarnished my beloved Air Force's proud stature and grace need to be stripped of their uniforms and made to pay the price for what they've done
MSgt Ret, Austin TX
6/27/2012 12:44:45 PM ET I just can't imagine this happening on General Schwartz's watch.
Bingo, DC
6/27/2012 11:54:35 AM ET A few years at USDB Levenworth making big rocks into little rocks would send a message to future TI's about this kind of behavior. As for the rapists TI's at Lackland if convicted take them out back and put them in front of a firing squad. That'll send a message to the rest of the Air Force and probably dramatically reduce the sexual assualt situation
