Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal training begins at Incirlik

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  In anticipation of the repeal of the law commonly known as Don't Ask Don't Tell, officials at Incirlik Air Base implemented training to meet the June 30 Air Force goal for completion.

"While this training is designed to help all Airmen understand what they can expect after the law is repealed, it is important to note that many of our fundamental policies will not change," said Maj. Jeremy Davis, the 39th Air Base Wing deputy staff judge advocate. "Our Air Force mission and the core values we follow have not changed. We are a force dedicated to the principles of leadership, professionalism, discipline and respect."

Air Force officials launched the training program in March to help Airmen understand the new standards regarding homosexual conduct in the military. The training is a standardized program developed by the armed services in conjunction with the Office of the Secretary of Defense real implementation team, and is broken down into three tiers. Each of these tiers caters to a different audience, including leaders and supervisors and technical experts. All Air Force personnel are expected to complete the appropriate level of training which corresponds with their roles and responsibilities.

Tier 1 training is for those who are responsible for administration or policy implementation. This category of personnel includes judge advocates, civilian lawyers, chaplains, recruiters, personnel specialists, law enforcement personnel, family support staff, equal opportunity advisors, housing counselors and health services personnel. They are required to have their training completed by May 1.

"Representatives from different functional areas are providing Tier 1 training to personnel within their communities through a variety of methods, in the way they deem best to accomplish the training," said Major Davis. "This training explains the new policies to our Airmen and provides information about specific behaviors, statements, and actions, thus ensuring a consistent understanding grounded in an organizational climate of dignity and respect."

Tier 2 training is designed for Airmen in leadership positions who are responsible for maintaining standards of conduct, good order and discipline, and military effectiveness, according to a statement by Michael B. Donley, the secretary of the Air Force.

The 39th Air Base Wing staff judge advocate's office is designated by the Secretary of the Air Force as the agency responsible for leading the training designed to prepare Tier 2 personnel for repeal of the policy and to help them understand the new standards regarding homosexual conduct in the military.

Tier 3 will train and prepare the broader force while reinforcing expectations of professional and personal conduct through engagement by experts and leaders at all levels, training officials said.

Tier 3 trainees will receive face-to-face training with their commanders as much as possible. If there are any impediments to giving face-to-face training, commanders are authorized to let Airmen complete the computer-based training that can be found on the Advanced Distributed Learning Service website.

"Given the scope and complexity of the new policy the secretary of the Air Force has directed commanders to train Tier 3 Airmen no later than June 30," Major Davis said.

Commanders may choose how to deliver the Tier 3 training--they may use commander's calls or other tools with or in place of the computer-based training, he added.

"In today's U.S. military, people of various moral and religious backgrounds and beliefs already work and live together every day," Major Davis said. "Our ability to help Airmen understand the repeal of the policy relies heavily on the capacity and willingness of judge advocates, senior leaders, commanders, chiefs, first sergeants and supervisors at every level to clearly educate, communicate and train our Airman to know what is expected of them once the repeal has been fully implemented."