Airmen found to have committed a sexual offense — whether by court-martial conviction, non-judicial punishment or administrative action — will have the offense documented in their permanent personnel records, the Air Force announced Sept. 30.
The new policy is one of many changes adopted as part of the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act in response to a rise in the number of service members who said they have experienced unwanted sexual contact and a string of scandals that rocked the military last year.
“Actively engaged leadership and transparency are key to eliminating sex-related offenses,” Brig. Gen. Brian Kelly, the director of force management policy said in a statement. “This policy assists with that goal and helps leaders foster a climate of mutual respect, dignity and inclusion of all airmen at every level.”
Offenses substantiated on or after Dec. 26, 2013, must be documented in the personnel record, according to an Air Force news release.
If the offense on or after that date has not been included in an airman’s performance or training report, it must be noted in the next evaluation.
The policy includes a range of offenses, including rape, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, indecent exposure and stalking, the release said.
“This level of awareness should ensure commanders have knowledge of and familiarization with their assigned Airmen’s histories of sex-related offenses,” Kelly said. “This also reduces the likelihood repeat offenses will escape the notice of subsequent or higher level commanders.”
The Air Force is developing a data code that will allow commanders to easily identify in records these airmen when they come into their units, according to the news release.
Airmen still have the right to challenge or appeal actions “using the existing appeal process in line with Air Force Instruction 36-2406, Officer and Enlisted Evaluation Systems, or through the Air Force Board of Correction for Military Records,” the release said.
Other changes adopted in the 2014 defense bill that affect how the military handles sexual assaults include:
■ No statute of limitations on rape and sexual assaults
■ Retaliation against those who report a crime is illegal
■ Good character and the military record of alleged offenders cannot be a reason to forgo prosecution
■ Commanders must begin separation proceedings for any service member convicted of a sex crime who is not sentenced to a discharge.
