Green Dot: Changing the culture

Airman 1st Class Ashley Adkins, a Green Dot representative assigned to the 6th Air Mobility Wing, facilitates an icebreaker exercise for students during a Green Dot Early Adopters course at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., April 19, 2016. The Green Dot program focuses on the prevention of power-based interpersonal violence, which includes not only sexual violence, but also domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, child abuse, elder abuse, and bullying. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Krystie Martinez)

Green Dot: Changing the culture

Green Dot Early Adopters course students decide on a team name during a Green Dot training session at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., April 19, 2016. The Green Dot program focuses on violence prevention and the importance of bystander intervention. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Krystie Martinez)

Green Dot: Changing the culture

Lt. Col. Andrew McIntosh, left, a wing chaplain assigned to the 6th Air Mobility Wing (AMW), practices a team exercise with LeAnn Throlson, a community support coordinator assigned to the 6th AMW, during a Green Dot training session at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., April 19, 2016. The Green Dot program focuses on the prevention of power-based interpersonal violence, which includes not only sexual violence, but also domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, child abuse, elder abuse, and bullying. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Krystie Martinez)

Green Dot: preventing violence one step at a time

Published April 20, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Mariette Adams
6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- As the Air Force transitions into its five-year plan called Green Dot, many Airmen are left with questions. What is Green Dot? What does Green Dot stand for? How will it affect me?

Imagine a large map. On that map there are red dots scattered; these red dots represent every time dating and domestic violence, sexual assaults and stalking occurs. Now, take that map and put green dots by the red dots; green dots represent every time someone intervenes or prevents the event. The goal is to get rid of the red, to be left with a green community.

The Green Dot program focuses on providing tools and training through activities, open dialogue and a peer-to-peer learning style to create realistic options for preventing violent events.

"As a service, our number one priority has and will continue to be response. However, in order to stop violence before it occurs we must dedicate time to prevention," said Chief Master Sgt. Melanie Noel, the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. "Helping our Airmen understand what they can do to prevent violence and how they can do it is the first step."

Green Dot has been proven to reduce violence when it was used at universities, high schools and communities across the country. Many states, like Florida, have adapted the method and have become Green Dot states.

"Green Dot is different because it focuses on the perspective of a bystander and gives a realistic and logical approach that they can use to intervene and stop the situation," said Austin Montgomery, a Green Dot 6th Air Mobility Wing (AMW) coordinator.
Green Dot allows Airmen to participate in interpersonal violence prevention in a manner of their own choosing.

In addition to reducing violence, the program has shown to save time and money.
"Green Dot saves over 1.1 million man hours and uses 57 percent less time in training," said Montgomery.

Airmen from around the base will soon participate in a 50-minute training session, while 10 to 12 percent of base Airmen will receive a volunteer one time four-hour training.

There are two Green Dot representatives in each group assigned to the 6 AMW. Airmen interested in more information should reach out to those reps.