944th Fighter Wing kicks off Green Dot program

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lausanne Kinder
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Commanders, chiefs, first sergeants, and superintendents were among the first group from the 944th Fighter Wing to receive Green Dot training during the March Unit Training Assembly.

Green Dot is a comprehensive prevention training program designed to address sexual and domestic violence. The Air Force has contracted with Green Dot to provide this prevention training to its Airmen to address interpersonal violence throughout the Force.

The training was implemented by Chaplain (Capt.) Matthew Wilson, 944th FW, and Capt. Lisa Breiterman, 944th Medical Squadron. The focus was on an introduction to preventing power-based personal violence across the service. It gave members an overview of their rolls as leaders and provided them with a preview of the training their Airmen will be receiving.

"The new Green Dot training format is leaps and bounds ahead of what it's been in the very recent past," said Chief Rhonda Hutson, 944th FW command chief. "The all-inclusiveness of it will bring us closer together as well as use the team concept to combat one of the biggest challenges still looming over us."

Hutson was among the first to receive the training which will be held every UTA until the end of the year.

"Our current norms that sustain the current rates of sexual assault, stalking, and domestic violence in our Air Force and communities are not acceptable," said Breiterman. "...in order to decrease those rates we need to change the norm and create a different culture."

The concept of 'green dots' (good dots) and 'red dots' (bad dots) placed on a map was introduced to illustrate positive and negative actions someone makes towards another person.

"Reducing the numbers of those on our bases and communities who experience violence can really happen if we each do one or two "green dots" both proactively and reactively," said Breiterman.

The implementers then discussed the three types of barriers; personal, relationship or social, and organizational barriers, which would stop someone from intervening in certain situations.

"We want [people] to understand that no matter what your barriers are, it is normal to have them," said Breiterman. "However, you can still become involved in ways that you feel comfortable with by using one of the '3 D's:' direct, delegate, or distract techniques."

Direct: do something yourself.

Delegate: if you can't do something directly because of your barriers, ask someone to help.

Distract: If you don't want to address the situation directly or even acknowledge you see it, try to think of a distraction that will diffuse the situation or calm things down in the moment.
"Collectively we can make a difference," said Breiterman.