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Officials use report's findings to prevent violence
Posted 11/9/2010
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by Lt. Col. Karen Platt
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
11/9/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air Force follow-on review, Protecting the Force: Lessons from Fort Hood, released Nov. 9, concluded that Airmen at all levels are key to preventing future tragedies like the one at Fort Hood, Texas.
The tragic shooting of servicemembers at Fort Hood in November 2009 underscored the need for the Department of Defense officials to review their approach to force protection and broaden their force protection policies, programs and procedures beyond traditional external threats.
Following the release of the DOD independent report in January 2010, the Secretary of Defense directed his staff and officials from each of the military services to conduct follow-on reviews to ensure the department maintains an enduring focus on eliminating the gaps and deficiencies in protecting the force.
Air Force Secretary Michael Donley appointed General Stephen R. Lorenz, the commander of Air Education and Training Command, to chair the Air Force's follow-on review.
The results of the Air Force follow-on review are based on inputs from more than 2,000 Total Force commanders and civilian directors who provided their insights into practices related to information sharing, training, recognition of internal threats, force protection, mass casualty response and incident recovery.
"Our review expanded its focus beyond traditional force protection measures by addressing a broader range of violent physical threats and the potential precursors or indicators of violence," General Lorenz said.
Air Force officials are addressing three fundamental force protection shortfalls identified in the DOD independent review, including no commonly accepted list of indicators related to internal threats, no centralized process outside of the medical field for assessing an individual's potential for violence, and a lack of effective means for sharing information among those who should be aware of potential violence indicators to enable appropriate action.
Routine information sharing among pertinent organizations and individuals is paramount for effective force protection, officials said. However, current policies and processes are not sufficient for identifying or acting on potential internal threats.
"We specifically recommended establishing an installation-level forum to assist unit leaders and facilitate information sharing and effective support for our personnel," General Lorenz said.
The proposed forum, called the Status of Health and Airmen Resiliency Exchange program will offer commanders an opportunity to discuss potential at-risk members and seek assistance and feedback. It also will foster sharing of information between commanders and other support professionals outside of the SHARE forum to more effectively address concerns.
"Accessible leadership is the most critical element of preventing workplace violence," General Lorenz said. "As wingmen, Air Force members can help guide troubled or potentially violent individuals toward the care they need. Our overall goal is to move toward an institutional emphasis on preventing violence through trained and vigilant wingmen."
The report added, "Unit leaders must instill confidence that they are engaged and accessible to their people. Creating more effective and resilient communities, capable of preventing violence from internal and external threats, is essential to meeting the complex and evolving force protection challenge leaders face today."
"The 151 recommendations identified in the report are intended to strengthen the Air Force community through processes that better care for our people, prevent violence, and ultimately protect the force from both internal and external threats," General Lorenz said.
Click here to view the report: http://www.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100930-060.pdf
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