Kunsan group interactively preventing sexual assault

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  A close-knit group of well-intentioned Wolf Pack Airmen regularly provides an interactive approach to preventing sexual assault and increasing awareness through highly instructive skits at Kunsan Air Base, Korea.

Officially known as the Sexual Assault Theater Group, SATG is comprised of members from all over the base.

Collectively they emphasize the importance of drawing interest from all base units.

"Membership is not selective, but quite open," they chimed together.

"We're always looking for new blood," said Senior Airman August Day, 8th Communications Squadron messaging technician. "Our focus is to rough people up. We cover all the things no one wants to hear."

SATG has more recently focused their skills at the First Term Airmen Center, NCO professional enhancement classes and victim advocate training, though they said they're always looking to expand their audience and brief base.

"We'd like to eventually expand to doing shows at places such as commander's calls," said Senior Airman Adrianna Irizarry, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operations trucker and the group's team lead.

The group began very small when in May 2010, Airman Irizarry and Senior Airman Jacob McDonald, 8th Maintenance Squadron combat low-altitude navigation and targeting infrared for light technician, decided to talk with the then Sexual Assault Response Coordinator about the unique idea. SATG has since blossomed to a talented group of dedicated Airmen of all ranks defining how to positively prevent sexual assault at Kunsan.

"Our focus is very clear -- we visually and interactively display the rights and wrongs of sexual assault," said Maj. Karen Hines, 8th Medical Operations Squadron Health and Wellness Center health educator. "We go beyond where people generally draw the line and so, with us, you have to have a greater comfort zone."

Defining this comfort zone has become a pastime for all those involved. Though not everyone feels comfortable acting, the major said there are plenty of other opportunities to serve.

"You don't have to be an actor," she said. "We have folks who are great with writing and organizing our presentations."

Though SATG provides their audience a unique perspective on preventing sexual assault, the members of the Wolf Pack's only theater company said it provides excellent leadership experience, among others.

"Networking is a big aspect of it," said Tech. Sgt. Anthony Lemos, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron unit deployment manager. "Not to mention the camaraderie. I stumbled across the group while attending another function and heard them say, 'We're practicing rape!' I've been hooked since."

"Our group is so unconventional in the way we dramatically present the material," Airman Irizarry added. "But we do have to be careful we tie everything back to the sexual assault topic, though we do have a disclaimer for those truly concerned with our tactics."

Making the topic fun has become a cornerstone for SATG, as most who come away from one of their presentations say it was "dynamic."

Airman Greg Meyer, 8th MDOS aerospace medical technician and recent FTAC graduate, said what makes the group so effective is that the members really get people involved.

"It's amazing how different it is compared to your basic Air Force training," he said. "The program is very effective as my class was really angry by what the offender was saying and a couple wanted to beat him up!"

"I don't think any of us expected them to be so involved," Airman Meyer continued. "This is nothing like death-by-power point -- you're able to pay closer attention and really learn something."

Airman Meyer has since joined the group in their productions and said he looks forward to future performances and opportunities to serve the Wolf Pack community.

The 8th Fighter Wing's SARC, Capt. Terri Zuber, said SATG is "extremely important."

"What they do is bring a real perspective to what happens," she said. "Everyone gets tired of power point slideshows and therefore the group acts out scenarios so people can see what really happens. These can be real eye openers for some."