In another shakeup caused by the ongoing investigation into sexual misconduct among Air Force military training instructors at JBSA-Lackland, Tex., the colonel in charge of basic military training operations there has been relieved of command, according to press reports. Col. Eric Axelbank, who oversees all training operations at Lackland “lost confidence” in the ability of Col. Glenn Palmer, BMT commander, “to maintain a safe and secure training environment for our newest airmen,” reported the Los Angeles Times on Aug. 10, citing a 37th Training Wing spokeswoman. Axelbank commands the 37th TRW; Palmer had led the 737th Training Group since July 2011. Despite his removal, the spokeswoman made clear that “Palmer did not create the environment that resulted in the misconduct.” The Air Force is investigating 15 former MTIs for alleged sexual misconduct with trainees dating back to fall 2009. Already court-martials have found three of them guilty and they have been sentenced. Back in June, Axelbank removed the commander of the 331st Training Squadron, the unit in which resided most of the MTIs accused of abuse. (See also Associated Press report via Boston.com.)
A provision in the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill will require the Defense Department to include the military occupational specialty of service members who die by suicide in its annual report on suicide deaths, though it remains to be seen how much data the department will actually disclose.