Sweeping Changes Proposed At Air Force Academy
Air Force Ousts Top 4 Leaders At Academy
UPDATED: 5:42 am MST March 26,
2003
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- There will be sweeping changes in personnel, policies and programs at the Air Force Academy in response to the military's largest sex scandal.
Most symbolic among the proposed changes is that the sign that says "Bring Me Men" will be removed. It's located at the entrance of academy and it's one of the first things cadets see when they arrive.Other changes include retraining medical staff to deal with sex assault victims, blanket amnesty for victims and around-the-clock security and monitoring in cadet dorms.There will also be significant changes in the academy's senior leadership. 7NEWS Investigates has confirmed four top academy leaders will be reassigned and they will be replaced by at least two women. The current superintendent responded to the change at a Chamber of Commerce meeting in Colorado Springs."I would be naive if we didn't expect some senior leadership changes in the near term and over the next couple months at the academy," superintendent Gen. John Dallager said.7NEWS Investigative reporter John Ferrugia will be at the Pentagon on Wednesday to report on these developments and other major changes expected at the Air Force Academy.All these changes came about in light of a 7NEWS Investigation into allegations that female cadets at the academy were ostracized and reprimanded after they reported they were raped. It is believed that the ousted officers are Brig. Gen. S. Taco Gilbert III, the commandant of cadets and second in charge at the academy; Col. Steve Eddy, vice superintendent; Col. Bob Eskridge, vice commander; and Col. Sue Slavec, training group commander.Dallager will remain as superintendent and the top official at the 4,100-cadet institution until his scheduled retirement in June. Two investigative teams are looking into the reports of rapes at the academy. A third team from the Department of Defense inspector general's office was to arrive at the academy this week for its own investigation.Three Republicans -- Sen. Wayne Allard of Colorado and Sen. John Warner of Virginia and Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado -- have all called for a change in leadership at the academy. Allard said victims are unwilling to talk with Air Force investigators while the current commanders are in place.A spokesman for Allard declined to say what was discussed at the closed-door meeting Tuesday.As more and more women -- 39 in all -- told Allard's office they were victims, the senator called Gilbert a "common thread."Gilbert, who declined to comment, was scheduled to leave the academy this summer after completing a standard two-year tour. In late January, Gilbert said that every case of sexual assault has been thoroughly investigated and that misconduct was punished.Additional Info:
Previous Stories:
- March 24, 2003: Senators Call For Leadership Change At Air Force Academy
- March 21, 2003: More Changes Proposed At Air Force Academy
- March 19, 2003: Report: Top Air Force Academy Officials To Leave
- March 18, 2003: Third Team To Investigate Air Force Academy Rape Scandal
- March 14, 2003: Air Force Has Not Court-Martialed For Cadet-On-Cadet Assaults
- March 12, 2003: Both Teams Of Investigators Now At AFA
- March 11, 2003: Report: Academy Cadets To Be Separated
- March 10, 2003: Bush 'Concerned' About AFA Rape Allegations
- March 10, 2003: Air Force Chief Of Staff: Female Cadets Are Safe Here
- March 6, 2003: Air Force Secretary: 54 Cases Of Rape, Assault, At AFA
- March 6, 2003: Top AFA Officers Must Go, Tancredo Says
- March 5, 2003: Air Force Investigative Team Returns To Springs
- March 4, 2003: Allard Hopes Air Force Investigation Not Just PR Move
- March 1, 2003: Air Force Family Betrayed After Daughter's Rape
- February 28, 2003: More AFA Victims Come Forward As Roche Speaks To Cadets
- February 27, 2003: Secretary Of Air Force Promises Change At AFA
- February 26, 2003: Senators, Chairman Call For Independent AFA Rape Investigation
- February 25, 2003: 3 Senators Ask For Independent Investigation Of AFA Rapes
- February 24, 2003: Air Force Opens Phone Line For Academy Rape Victims
- February 21, 2003: Allard May Ask For Senate Hearing Into AFA Rape Case
- February 20, 2003: 7NEWS Investigates: Air Force Academy's Amnesty Clause
- February 18, 2003: Academy Superintendent Responds To 7NEWS' Rape Investigation
- February 17, 2003: 7NEWS Investigates: Victims Of Academy Rapes Speak Up, Punished
- February 14, 2003: 7NEWS Investigates: Rape Victims At Air Force Academy Afraid To Report
- February 13, 2003: 7NEWS Investigates: Honor, Code, Betrayal At Air Force Academy
- February 11, 2003: 7NEWS Investigates Alleged Rapes At Air Force Academy
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