7/12/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO -- LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) -- The case of a former Air Force military training instructor (MTI) alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct and unprofessional relationships with female basic military trainees will go to a general court-martial on July 16, at 8:30 a.m. at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.
The trial is expected to last about five days.
The allegations arose against Staff Sgt. Luis Walker of the 326th Training Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, on June 24, 2011, and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) immediately launched an investigation. Walker is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Comments
7/20/2012 3:02:16 AM ET No one here is disputing that sexual abuse is perpetrated by males against males and females against females. However the issue currently at hand deals with male TIs taking advantage of female recruits. Segregating female and male TIs and recruits would be a step in the right direction as stated earlier. I'm am certainly not naive concerning the myriad victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse and violence. I've been to the briefings too. As far as more scrutiny directed toward prospective TIs I would agree. However keeping close scrutiny on the entire TI Cadre would be a monumental and counterproductive task. Once again the many would suffer for the horrible deeds of a few. And it then begs the question of who will watch the watchers. It's a shame when the actions of a few force us to even consider such measures against those who are supposed to be the best our service has to offer.
SSgt Giraffe, Deutschland
7/17/2012 4:23:45 PM ET I would like to know why you think that these things might stop with a female TI? Just because they will be the same gender does not mean that there will be no sexual abuse. Just as if you believe that there have never been any abuses on the male recruits by their male TIs, you are supremely naive. It comes down to being very selective about whom is able to become a TI and the careful oversite of the TI cadre.
Female Amn, Offutt AFB NE
7/17/2012 1:32:19 AM ET The Voice of Reason is absolutely right concerning female TIs for female trainees. The Marine Corps has had a separate battallion for training female recruits with female DIs since 1948. Males and females DIs and recruits alike are wholly separate during basic training. The AF needs to recruit more female TIs and either designate one of the current squadrons or stand up a new one to be a females-only squadron. That would likely preclude incidents like this in the future or at least make it much more difficult to commit such acts.
SSgt Giraffe, Deutschland
7/15/2012 12:23:50 AM ET Everyone needs to give Retired SMSgt a break. Anyone who had a sister flight in Basic heard some of the females brag whether true or not about getting with the TI. It's wrong no matter what the conditions but it happens like in any organization. Stop pretending that every young person who puts on a uniform is an angel. Trying to uphold that impossible image only ruins our integrity as a whole when something like this happens. This is a force made up of individuals. Some of these individuals may decide to do something wrong and some won't. We all know the Core Values but it's up to each individual to uphold them. It's not on us to judge but it's also not ours to decide who is the victim. Maybe female-only TIs is the answer for female trainees.
Voice of Reason, Bagram
7/14/2012 4:00:48 PM ET proxisimity and opportunity are powerful motivators--with what god has given a man to make him willing to die for his country will certaintly be used for pleasure regardless of ucmj or anything else.
ernie , vilonia ar
7/13/2012 11:30:11 AM ET Be very careful Retired SMSgt Warner Robins GA, as we are talking rape, undue influence, either real or perceived, and abuse of power. You certainly cannot make the trainees just as responsible by any stretch of the imagination.
Paul, San Antonio
7/13/2012 11:25:04 AM ET As the retired SMSgt should know, a person who is subordinate in rank or power should not be considered willing. There's a reason why fraternization is illegal under the UCMJ and why TIs are specifically ordered not to have relationships with trainees.
PB, US
7/13/2012 11:24:05 AM ET It's unlikely that the female participants will be indicted or prosecuted. Even though it may appear they are willing participants, the reality is that because the MTIs were in positions of authority it can be shown that they had no choice other than to submit to the MTIs' actions since the MTIs could have created a very hostile work environment for them and had such tremendous power over their futures. This is the very foundation of sexual harassment, which these MTIs are basically accused of and the core of this case. Is it possible that the victims were willing participants? Sure, but highly unlikely that they will be prosecuted.
Fish, New Mexico
7/13/2012 7:56:11 AM ET All I've heard is what they're going to do to the male MTIs who are involved in this. What about the willing female participants? What are they going to do to them...they are just as responsible as the male MTI.
Retired SMSgt, Warner Robins GA
7/12/2012 1:05:49 PM ET This type of misconduct has been happening without punishment far too long. Thanks to the Airmen who reported this and to the comand for taking action.MSgt. Ret
