Good order and discipline: a commander's responsibility, every Airman's duty

  • Published
  • By Col. Kevin B. Kennedy
  • 28th Bomb Wing commander
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  According to George Washington, "Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak; and esteem to all."

Our commanders are charged with the duty to maintain good order and discipline within their respective units, and it is my job to ensure it is maintained across the wing.

Commanders have a large number of tools for maintaining good order and discipline. Many of these are administrative in nature, and include counseling sessions, reprimands, control rosters, demotions and selective reenlistments. When these measures fail, they may elect to offer nonjudicial punishment or to prefer court-martial charges.

Each month, our base Legal Office publicizes the results of completed nonjudicial punishment actions and courts-martial through a Public Affairs release. We include sexual assault offenses in these results. In addition, the Air Force also publishes sexual assault convictions online at http://www.afjag.af.mil/sexualassaultprosecution/index.asp.

I encourage all Airmen to review the 28th Bomb Wing releases as well as to visit the website listed and review the cases. The intent of your review should be to understand the facts of the case and identify ways to prevent a similar case from happening in our wing, at the earliest opportunity.

Good order and discipline is a command responsibility. However, each member of our wing has a duty to foster a healthy climate and professional environment. If you see a situation that isn't right, be a good wingman and intervene - do not be a passive bystander.

Every day I ask that you look out for one another, treat each other with respect, and insist that your fellow Airmen treat others with respect as well. A few words of intervention can positively change the lives of Airmen around you and across our wing; you will find that your example will become a tremendous force multiplier.

With good order and discipline, we can continue to provide the expeditionary combat power upon which our nation relies - anywhere on the globe.