My job is prosecuting sexual assault Published Aug. 23, 2012 By Col. Don Christensen Government Trial and Appellate Counsel chief MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Here's a simple truth -- sexual offenders reject our core values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do, in favor of following their own undisciplined, criminal desires. Most sexual assaults committed by Airmen are "blue on blue." So in addition to rejecting our core values, these undisciplined Airmen reject the Wingman Concept we prize in the Air Force. They represent a direct threat to unit morale, good order and discipline. They degrade combat readiness, but with the combined efforts of command, law enforcement, and our team of prosecutors, they will be held accountable. Together, as a team, we will protect other Airmen and protect our strength and combat readiness as the world's greatest Air Force. Detecting and prosecuting sexual assault is our priority. Recently, we posted on the internet significant Air Force sexual assault prosecutions. The posting may be found at http://www.afjag.af.mil/sexualassaultprosecution/index.asp. From a review of this information, it is evident that sexual offenders are prosecuted anywhere they are found. In addition, sexual assault in the Air Force carries substantial penalties. Our partners in Air Force Office of Special Investigations thoroughly investigate each allegation to provide commanders with timely, accurate, and prosecutable evidence. They pass the ball to commanders, who call upon my team to prosecute the offender to the maximum extent allowed under law. Our team of prosecutors is better than any found in the civilian community or on television. The team has 17 highly skilled senior trial prosecutors, who are selected from among hundreds of judge advocates for their top notch trial skills. They have the very best trial skills in the Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps. They prosecute the Air Force's most serious courts-martial. Seven of the senior trial prosecutors have been identified as "Special Victim Unit" prosecutors, due to their training and experience in combating sexual assault. They are dedicated to bringing justice to victims of sexual assault and ensuring commanders are able to appropriately hold offenders accountable. In the typical case, the accused Airman exploits the victim's intoxicated state to commit the sexual assault. We are very effective in prosecuting these offenders, and the law encourages us to prosecute Airmen who use alcohol to facilitate sexual assault of substantially incapacitated victims. Prosecuting this kind of case is one of our core specialties. The Air Force has done a great job training Airmen about respecting other Airmen and not sexually abusing their fellow Airmen. Training can reach many Airmen who might be tempted to commit this crime. For those who cannot be persuaded by training, my team, the senior trial prosecutors or special victims unit, stands at the ready to vindicate the victims. Editor's Note: This article was published on July 19 by Air Force News.