I am a 2001 AF Academy grad, and first I have to say that there should be no tolerance for any such conduct. However, I implore those reading these headlines to understand that "the devil is in the details". I have read the reports on many of these cases (but I am not sure if I have read the specific one listed here). In MANY of these cases the only reason there was no one prosecuted is because there was not enough evidence. Usually the evidence is lacking because the female cadet was too intoxicated to remember any details and there is no physical evidence (beyond what might exist for consensual sex). In some cases, it is more like after-the-fact regret of having engaged in the activity than not consenting at the time.

Of course, someone might say I am trying to defend 'rape'. Of course not, my only point here is that before you bash the Generals and administration of the AF Academy you must understand that these cases are not simple and the details are important. We have laws and rules of evidence that require certain standards to be met before a presumed innocent person can be prosecuted. IF you understand that, then by understanding the details of these cases you will see why only a few of them went to court. It has nothing to do with a 'conspiracy' or 'macho' atmosphere. It has to do with 'due process'. Thank you.

make sure u alwys tell when someone touches that you don't want too because its your body and you shouldn't be being touched you should never be touched unless you say its okay but don't forget to tell someone right away.

The Officer in charge of directing the investigations from the charges brought by the cadets should be charged with minimally dereliction of duty and more realistically with attempted cover-up of a crime. Congress should further mandate that since these crimes occurred on US soil that they be tried in civilian court and civilian penalties be applied.

Maybe, just maybe this might not be a great place for women, call me crazy....

The AF academy sound a little like summer camp.

What happen about code of ethics? conduct? - guess they don't teach that there any more.

Yup - I'm talking about both cadets and administration.

To AF Grad 2002 .
You are defending rape because you are speaking as if you were there or you were privy to first hand information. The information you have regarding any type of evidence , I'm sure was provided by the AF. Therefore it's questionable, in my opinion. As a woman that has been violated before by a man I can tell you that most of the time when something like rape occurs and the perpetrator is not a stranger the authorities act as if it was not rape. Whenever a woman has sex forced upon her by whomever it is rape, whether she is intoxicated or not. I am apalled by what you are insinuating in your comment. How would you feel if someone raped you and justice was NOT served !!!! Mr. AF 2002 Grad

It has nothing to do with a 'conspiracy' or 'macho' atmosphere. It has to do with 'due process'. Thank you.

Dear AF Grad.

It sound like you might have been on the side that caused these women not to get "due process"

Ann

the comment, "maybe this might not be a great place for women" is short-sighted and nothing less than sick. would this same commentator suggest that if a rape occurs in a boardroom, that the corporate world is not a great place for women either?

I am an AF grad from the early years before women were allowed. At the time, it seemed like a bad idea to mix the genders. Still does, to me. Guess I was right. My experience with women officers in the military (from my generation) was that they were given hot promotions because they were the first women, at the expense of very bright men who were far better qualified. It has always been about politics, not so much human rights or freedom. There are many bright women who deserve an equal opportunity. I do not believe the opportunity exists at the service academies. Following the admission of women, standards for fitness and requirements for athletics were adjusted, making it easier on the men. Hazing was adjusted down, too. While to the outside observer hazing may seem inappropriate, it was an effective means of determining who was and was not motivated to succeed through the worst. You want warriors who will win, but you don't want warriors who are tested and tried and eliminated. That follows along with the poor education methods in public schools, where standards are again adjusted down to permit more graduates. In all, a tough academy is no place for a woman. The academies today are not tough enough. Neither are our public schools. Best results at the academies would be obtained by separating the genders into other academy locations. Thanks for listening.

PS: After the women arrived, the giant metal letters on the granite entryway that referred to a famous poem that said "BRING ME MEN" were taken down. I think that says a lot, considering it could have easily referred to either gender.

Stop tolerating alcohol abuse by military personnel and a lot of this problem goes by the wayside.
As far as I'm concerned, alcohol has no place in the military except as an anesthetic to treat wounds.

I believe the 2001 AF Grad misses the point that Generals like McArthur, Arnold and Mitchell went by "duty, honor and country" that they made a part of their lifes. You have a duty if you see, hear of any individual (male/female) who has violated the honor code (and UCMJ), to report all wrongs while attending a privilleged military institution that "our" tax dollars paid for while their education. One only has to look at a previous AF Maj. Major General who used his position to violate the UCMJ by constant fraternization with enlisted and lower ranking officers, adultery and his only punishment was still allowed to retire but at a reduced rank of full Colonel. Until this individual has someone in their life affected by the type of "crime" and receives the same type of treatment they say these women deserved, justice will not be served.

I watched the hearings and after serving 20 yrs as enlisted and retired I have no doubt that there is still a huge problem within the military so many things are covered up, those responsible are permitted to retire without any actions against them. Maybe having a female as the 'head' of the academy may begin to help, but someone has to keep a microscope on the academies and keep it there. Unfortunately the crime of rape is one that the individual who is raped is the one who is the one who feels and is made to feel responsible. Beth Davis and all those who were assaulted must get justice. Find the one(s) who did the crime and punish them.

My husband was gang raped (by men) during his service in the Air Force. At the time it seemed like an organized thing that had been done by these people prior to doing this to him. He did not report it to anyone. So, it doesn't have to be just women who have enlisted to serve THEIR country who fall victim to rape. Segregation of the sexes is not the solution to this problem. Honor and ethic might help though.

Woman claims she was raped by fellow cadet...must be the truth.

AF Officer says their was not sufficient evidence to prosecute...must be a cover-up.

Interesting....