[NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] , below is a copy of the email that I sent to Southeast Region Commander, Col. Sharkey, reporting that I had received from [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS], Group III Director of Cadet Program regarding the hitting of cadets at Wing Encampment this past summer.
Because of our conversation last night, wherein you shared that a National HQ I.G. investigation into the slapping and hitting of cadets at this past Summer's Wing Encampment by [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] and the [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] Squadron Commander, I encourage you to pursue justice and correction for wrong-doers, whether or not that includes the overt act or any cover-up.
Likewise, I am asking my Cadets who attended this past summer's Wing Encampment to step forward as is required by our Cadet Oath and our Core Values and divulge to me any rumors, or fact, of the hitting or slapping, on any part of the body, of any cadets, whether or not from our squadron.
No code of silence, nor fear of retaliation, can ever justify silence that allows an abuser to escape detection and correction.
In like manner, I was disturbed about your revelations that the [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] Deputy Commander for the Cadet Program inappropriately hugged cadets during, before and after, the encampment. Hugging is an appropriate display of support and nurturing affection in our society, although I doubt there is often a reason for an adult Senior Member to hug cadets, not of their own family, routinely, as a perceived required manner of greeting, and I know that it is inappropriate if the hugging took/takes place as you have described it and have listened to complaints from cadets and their parents regarding it.
Likewise, I am asking my Cadets who attended this past summer's Wing Encampment to step forward as is required by our Cadet Oath and our Core Values and divulge to me any rumors, or fact, of any hugging of cadets by Senior Members that they thought or felt was inappropriate.
Phillip L. Blansett, Major, CAP
Commander, TN 188
From: "Major Phillip Blansett, USAF-AUX"
Date: Fri Mar 4, 2005 11:45 am
Subject: allegations into wrongdoing and failure to Protect
Col. Sharkey, I was troubled last night by revelations from the Group III, TN WG Director of Cadet Programs, who is also the Deputy Commander for the Cadet Program of [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] Composite Squadron (TN 0XX), [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS]
[NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] Composite Squadron ([NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS]) is the squadron commanded by [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] prior to his CAPF 2B action.
[NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] visited our squadron in his role as TW GPIII Director of Cadet Programs, specifically introducing the Cadet Advisory Council (CAC), and soliciting our choosing a CAC representative (cadet). He was welcomed by me, and our senior and cadet members alike.
In conversation with me, in the presence of our Senior Members, he related how, not only was [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] gone from [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] Composite Squadron, but also from Civil Air Patrol altogether, a Form 2B having been completed, withdrawing his privilege of membership. And that he was never to have been in command, nor in command of cadets. Then he added a startling phrase:
"Much like a Group Commander who once held a National Headquarters Staff Position and was now a Tennessee Wing Group Commander, in spite of his having been accused and found guilty of slapping two cadets on two separate occasions."
Having just relayed to you, in an earlier email, how [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS], in a recent SLS conducted by his Group ([NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS]) exhibited hostile behavior toward me, noticed by other attendees, in his "2B or not 2B" threat, and knowing him to have just returned from a stint as NHQ [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS]Officer, and to command of [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS], I simply asked "Is this person [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS]?" To which Captain [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS], in the presence of others answered "Yes. He was not to have access to or authority over Cadets, either, and yet he is [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] Commander."
I stepped back into the Cadet Meeting to check on how the Moral Leadership lesson was proceeding, and when I stepped back into the Senior Meeting, I heard questioning by [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] regarding some of the issues that are paramount to us. I first asked [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] to refrain from asking questions regarding any difficulties he might have heard we are having, and to direct those questions directly to Col. Rushing TNWG/CC, or to you, sir, and when he continued, I Exercised command authority and directed him to cease this line of conversation, and instead to direct those questions directly to Col. Rushing, or to you, sir. This time he did cease, and my Senior Members informed me that he did not again broach the subject.
Col. Sharkey, I write, not to "tell on" [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS], who genuinely devoted his time to draw our cadets closer to Group III activities, which I appreciate.
I write, not to "tell on" [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS].
But , without any knowledge of the rumor (or fact) that [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] related, I had recently mentioned [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] aggressive and hostile posturing at the Gp II SLS to you in an exchange discussing "CAP, SER, and specifically Florida and Tennessee Wings Failure To Protect by allowing [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] to move and assume command and specifically command of cadets." So, I write simply to inform you, and to, with you, wonder how pervasive is this Failure to Protect, and to wonder, with you, if Commanders in the Civil Air Patrol have behaved similarly to Bishops in the Catholic Church who knew but failed to protect.
Those "wonderings" are above my pay grade and authority, provided appropriate levels are also wondering and investigating. Failing that, it falls upon each of us to take up that slack and to Protect.
If that which [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] states is true, it needs to be addressed before I can let my cadets interact with him. On the otherhand, if that which [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] states has no basis in fact, [NAME WITH HELD BUT WILL BE RELEASED TO DOCUMENTED INVESTIGATORS] needs to be Coached, Mentored, Corrected and re-trained on the hazards of passing stories not true.
Phillip L. Blansett, Major, CAP
Commander, TN 188