US Air Force cadets celebrate graduation as they are urged to tackle 'scourge of sexual assaults' which saw 26,000 military members attacked last year

• Air Force Secretary Michael Donley echoed message President Obama delivered to Naval Academy last week
• Donley told more than 1,000 graduates in Colorado 'character of our Air Force is being questioned
• The Pentagon released a report this month estimating 26,000 military members were sexually assaulted last year
• Thousands of victims are unwilling to come forward, despite new oversight and assistance programs, it said

A jubilant class of Air Force Academy cadets have celebrated their graduation, amid a stark warning to 'better their reputation and take on the 'scourge of sexual assaults.
In a message to the new graduates, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley echoed the message President Barack Obama delivered to the Naval Academy last week amid concerns a growing sexual assault epidemic is staining the military.
'Today, the character of our Air Force is being questioned by some,' Donley told more than 1,000 graduates at the U.S. Air Force Academy, in Colorado.

Graduating Air Force 2nd Lieutenants throw their caps into the air at the completion of the commencement ceremony for the class of 2013, at the U.S. Air Force Academy, in Colorado

But their celebrations come amid a stark warning from Air Force Secretary Michael Donley to 'better their reputation and take on the 'scourge of sexual assaults'

Graduating Air Force 2nd Lieutenants hug and cheer as a group of WWII warplanes perform a flyover at the completion of the commencement ceremony for the class of 2013

'Our reputation is at risk from irresponsible and even criminal behavior within our ranks.'
Donley noted the graduating cadets were trained in sexual assault prevention, but he said policies aren't enough, the Colorado Springs Gazette reported.
'This is your Air Force, and changing behavior depends on changing at every level the command climate and social culture in which we operate and live, both on and off duty,' he said.

 

More...

• Obama challenges Naval Academy grads to help end sex assaults in the military
• Pictured: The son of a disgraced former George W. Bush aide who 'killed a man with a hatchet during an altercation at the family's home'

At Annapolis, Md., on Friday, Obama told Naval Academy graduates that people who commit sexual crimes 'threaten the trust and discipline that makes our military strong.'
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel drew on the same themes at West Point's graduation on Saturday.

Graduating Air Force cadets stand at attention inside their football stadium. The Pentagon released a report this month estimating that as many as 26,000 military members were sexually assaulted last year

Doley told the cadets: 'This is your Air Force, and changing behavior depends on changing at every level the command climate and social culture in which we operate and live, both on and off duty'

Donley noted the graduating cadets were trained in sexual assault prevention, but he said policies aren't enough

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel drew on the same themes at West Point's graduation on Saturday as President Barack Obama delivered to the Naval Academy last week

'Sexual harassment and sexual assault in the military are a profound betrayal — a profound betrayal — of sacred oaths and sacred trusts,' he said.

The Pentagon released a report this month estimating that as many as 26,000 military members were sexually assaulted last year and that thousands of victims are unwilling to come forward, despite new oversight and assistance programs.
A handful of cadets at the Air Force Academy have faced sexual misconduct or sexual assault cases since January 2012.
About 19,000 assaults were estimated to have occurred in 2011.
Vintage warplanes took the place of F-16 fighter jets in the traditional flyover above the Air Force Academy Stadium as the newly commissioned Air Force second lieutenants hurled their caps into the air in celebration.
The World War II-era planes flown by volunteers filled in for the Air Force Thunderbirds, which were grounded by budget cuts.
Donley decried the budget cuts, saying they are undermining military readiness.
With a growing sexual assault epidemic staining the military, President Barack Obama urged U.S. Naval Academy graduates on  Friday to remember their honour depends on what they do when nobody is looking and said the crime has 'no place in the greatest military on earth.'

The commander in chief congratulated the 1,047 midshipmen graduating at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, telling the 841 men and 206 women that they have proven themselves morally by meeting rigorous standards at the academy.

But their commencement celebration came in the midst of reports of widespread sexual assault throughout the military, and Obama ended his 20-minute address by recognizing 'how the misconduct of some can have effects that ripple far and wide.'

SOURCE