<p>ACADEMY CADET CHARGED WITH RAPE, INDECENT ASSAULT</p>
<p>U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - An Air Force Academy cadet was charged with committing a rape and indecent assault against another cadet. The alleged event occurred after the cadets jointly attended a party. Both cadets were seniors at the time.</p>
<p>Cadet 1st Class Edward Salazar was charged for allegations of rape and indecent assault upon a fellow upper-class cadet while at an off-base party in Denver in July 2006. Alcohol was being consumed at this party.</p>
<p>The Academy became aware of the allegations in February 2007, and Superintendent, Lt. Gen. John F. Regni, put a hold on Cadet Salazar’s graduation and commissioning pending the outcome of the investigation of this case. Cadet Salazar was scheduled to graduate on May 30, 2007.</p>
<p>It is emphasized that the charges stated here are merely accusations at this time and Cadet Salazar is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.</p>
<p>The next step in the military legal process is an Article 32 hearing, which is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 14, 2007. This hearing will be used to determine if there is sufficient evidence to move the case forward to a court martial or make recommendations for alternate action.</p>
<p>If the case is forwarded to a general court-martial and if Cadet Salazar is found guilty of all charges and specifications, he faces a maximum punishment of life imprisonment, dismissal from the Air Force, and total forfeiture of all pay and allowances.</p>
<p>I guess the USAFA administration doesn't want to go down the twisted Duke path and "Nifong" the accused over the head with a crooked cudgel. They want an orderly proceeding complete with due process. Good for them.</p>
<p>The academy really got burned by this problem in 2003. I'm sure they'll do their best to avoid past problems. However, the media won't let it rest once it gets out. It's a lot like the cheating scandals. Common occurrences at other colleges turn into a media circus if it happens at an academy. Guess it's really better to be held to a higher standard.</p>
<p>General Regni and General Desjardins spoke at a briefing today for the class of 2011 and they briefly addressed this rape charge when they were going over their expectations for the class of 2011. Believe me, the leadership here does not/will not tolerate any form of sexual assault, and I would suspect that the reason it's on the front page of the USAFA website is because it's an issue that they wouldn't attempt to conceal. It's frustrating that a few cadets who are making poor choices end up misrepresenting the entire cadet wing. But as I said, I have complete faith that it will be handled appropriately. And from a female perspective, I feel really safe here at the Academy. I have never had so many briefings about sexual assault and harassment in my life as I have in basic training alone; they want to make sure that we stay informed and that we all know what resources are at our disposal. The leadership goes out of its way to ensure that the environment here at the Academy is one of integrity, fairness, and accountability. And they are very serious about preventing this kind of thing from happening in the future. I personally have a lot of respect for the way that I have seen things handled here, and it's important to remember, as General Regni said today, that 94% of cadets "get it." Only 6% of the cadet wing is on honor probation or probation for misconduct (alcohol-related offenses) and that kind of thing. And it's General Regni's goal to reduce that number to less than 1%. So when it seems like you only hear about the really bad stuff that goes on at USAFA, it's because it's a definite exception to the norm. That's important to keep in mind.</p>
<p>That's the biggest problem with our news media. They concentrate on sensationalism. Because the Air Force, military in general, and their academies have a much higher standard, an infraction at all and the media believes that it's news worthy. If the same situation and at the same level happened at a traditional public or private school, which it does, most would never hear about it.</p>
<p>While I have never had a problem with being held to a higher standard being in the Air Force, I do have a problem with disproportionate double standards. The Air Force academy is a very safe environment. Yes, there are a few individuals that need to have their attitude and behavior seriously checked. Then again, that is another part of our society and military that has changed and is no longer tolerated. I've seen the military go through social changes with race, gender, drugs, etc... They are usually miles ahead of the civilian population in acceptance. Unfortunately, that is not reported in the media. While major race issues were happening during the 70's in society, the military had learned to respect. Not that there weren't problems, just not nearly at the level of the civilian community. Again, not reporting this is the double standard I have a problem with.</p>
<p>Anyway, while the politically correct will still be maintained and reports of such improper behavior will be reported from time to time, I think every student and parent reading these forums can feel assured that they as cadets and son's and daughters are in a safe environment. An environment where values, moral, traditions, respect, integrity, and honor are taught and respected. There are, and will be problems at times, but compared to the University of Wherever, I think the academy is a much better and safer environment. Later... Mike....</p>
<p>No offense but being in the military puts you all in the "glass bubble" and held to not only a higher standard but a view to the public at large. Sad, but true. </p>
<p>Your General has to now look into whether the 6% or whatever is on the increase or decrease. It is unfortunate that young people want to get drunk etc...and out of control and somehow feel they are immune from the disasterous consequences. All the briefings in the world seems to escape the 6% who continue to take risks that ultimately will be disasterous with the result that they will look back and think "what was I thinking???" The problem is they weren't...they were being typical young invincibles etc. 6% of 4,000 is 240 cadets. Probably less of a population than other colleges...but other colleges are in the public view and are not "public figures" like in the military. One question is what are the 94% doing to help the 6% that exist and is putting themselves at risk? Peer pressure goes along way. It's tough...I give you that. But are these, as you put it, your "wing men?" So when you or your friends are at a party drinking up...is anyone trying to set some sort of LIMIT? Or are you all going home afterwards breathing a sigh of relief that "yea, none of us did anything stupid" or "yea, nothing happened...I'm good to go." Luck is one thing but if you are acting on "luck" it will run out. </p>
<p>It saddens me every time I read one of these stories. Some of it with the full knowledge of others or in the presence of others. What happened to "I will not tolerate..." I'm not trying to chastise you or the others...I merely point out something to consider FWIW. How many cadets ARE tolerating all sorts of inappropriate behavior? Turning the other cheek etc. It's tough, I agree, to convert an 18 year old fresh out of public high school into this fish bowl, hyper vigilent individual who has virtually every freedom taken away. It's rough. I agree. But that is YOUR reality. I hope the General can reduce the figure to 0, but she has a tough situation ahead of her.</p>
<p>The public has every right to put us in a glass bubble. A recent survey asked the American public what is the #1 profession that they trust. The answer was not just military, but specifically military officers. I understand people's frustrations about being scrutinized, however, we go to a school paid for by taypayers' dollars. It's not exactly the same as with public college scandals because the people feel that they have part ownership with us. That's an important fact that many people in the military forget: we work for the public, not our immediate chain of command.</p>
<p>However, the 6% is a dramatic decrease from what it used to be. And I'll tell you what the 94% of us are doing about it. The number of troublemakers will continue to decline since the Generals made the punishments much more harsh starting today, and the new honor code policy (completely initiated and finalized by cadets) also goes into effect today. While I understand some of your thoughts on the immaturity of many cadets, I think you fail to see that none of this is tolerated by the Cadet Wing. We're not sitting around thinking, "Oh another rape case, oh well." Everyone I know is very angry about it. We're angry that this brings bad light on the Academy. We're angry that he victimized a fellow cadet. We're angry that most of us are volunteering from our busy schedules to help out the community, but this is what the media cares about. Believe me, we care more than the public or any parent out there. </p>
<p>As redhead said, I'm a female cadet and I have never once felt threatened. Unlike every other school, ours is filled with alpha male cadets. If anything, I was surprised by their respect and professionalism when I came here. Like anywhere else, there are always going to be a small group of deliquents who just won't get it even with prevention briefings that make our ears fall off. But what's important that the media should focus on is that we're aware and we are definitely making some changes.</p>
<p>
[quote]
An Air Force Academy cadet, accused of raping a fellow senior after they left an off-base party last year, was acquitted.</p>
<p>On Nov. 16, a military tribunal cleared Cadet 1st Class Edward Salazar of both rape and indecent assault charges. Salazar, due to graduate May 30, had his commissioning put on hold by academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. John Regni.</p>
<p>He was accused of raping a former female cadet, who proceeded with graduation and is now a second lieutenant. Friends prior to the allegations, they went to a Denver party in July 2006 where alcohol was consumed....