3rd CAB Soldiers say “No More” to sexual assault

Photo By Spc. Scott Lindblom | The 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade command team of Chief Warrant Officer 5 Timothy Smail, Col. Jeffrey Becker and Command Sgt. Maj. George Dove cut a ceremonial cake in the dining facility on Hunter Army Airfield April 15. The cake cutting was part of “Operation No More,” which consisted of several different events designed to educate and raise awareness on the topic of sexual harassment and sexual assault. (Photo by Spc. Scott Lindblom, 3rd CAB Public Affairs)  

SAVANNAH, GA, UNITED STATES

04.18.2016

Story by Sgt. William Begley 

3rd Combat Aviation Brigade

HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. – The Soldiers of the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade spent the week of April 11-15 participating in “Operation No More,”which consisted of several different events designed to educate and raise awareness on the topic of sexual harassment and sexual assault on Hunter Army Airfield.

Sgt. 1st Class Lakeysha Nickerson, sexual assault response coordinator, 3rd CAB said that Operation No More was the vision of the 3rd CAB command team of Col. Jeffrey Becker and Command Sgt. Maj. George Dove.

“Our leaders are definitely passionate about this topic,” Nickerson said. “It’s basically saying that no more will we stand by and do nothing. We will do something if we see or hear of someone being sexually harassed or assaulted. We will intervene.”

The events began with the 3rd CAB Sharp office handing out flyers at the three gates onto HAAF. The flyers contained information on what to do if you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault or harassment. Information booths were set up at the Tominac Fitness Center and every effort was made to carry the message that sexual harassment and assault was welcome no more.

Leaders from every unit in the brigade including the brigade command team were present for Senior Leadership SHARP training April 13 at the Post Chapel. The leaders watched a video where a junior enlisted Soldier graphically spoke about instances in his unit where he was sexually harassed and also a victim of hazing. Afterwards, the leaders were asked some tough questions on how their units were handling the subject of sexual harassment and assault.

“I can’t stress enough the importance of involved leadership, the trust we have, and how quickly we can destroy that trust,” Becker said. “I challenge our leaders at all levels to put your civilian clothes on and go to the barracks on weekends and check on your Soldiers. Nothing speaks louder than our actions.”

The week culminated on a cold and wet Friday with a four-mile Teal Run followed by a training event at Tominac Fitness Center. Every unit in the Falcon Brigade watched the same video that the brigade leaders watched the day before. During the video, Nickerson asked questions about what Soldiers were doing to combat sexual assault and highlight what right and wrong behavior looks like.

After the training Capt. Derek Debruhl, commander, Company E, 3rd CAB pulled his entire company aside and spoke to them about the video and training they had just participated in.

“I discussed the extreme situation that happened in the video, and it had a lot of good discussion points,” Debruhl said.

One of the issues Debruhl discussed was how the recent trend in reporting seems to be a break down in the chain of command. More specifically, the first line supervisor.

“Victims are letting their first line supervisor know and then it seems that is where the report stops and doesn’t go any further,” Debruhl continued. “We trust the first line supervisors with so much and we empower them to be subordinate leaders. This is one issue where they do not have the power to solve a sexual assault or harassment issue at the subordinate leader level. That is where the commander and first sergeant have to be involved.”

For young, and sometimes newly appointed subordinate leaders it might be just a lack of knowing what the right thing to do when someone is sexually assaulted or harassed is.

If you or someone you know has become a victim of sexual harassment or sexual assault, call the Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield SHARP hotline at [phone].

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• Date Taken: 04.18.2016
• Date Posted: 04.18.2016 14:30
• Story ID: 195688
• Location: SAVANNAH, GA, US