False allegations a serious offense

The Air Force takes crime very seriously. Many resources go into
ensuring that good order and discipline are always maintained; this demands the
highest integrity from each and every Airman. However, in some cases, we find that the alleged ‘victim’ is actually the wrongdoer.

Making a false official statement is a violation of Article 107 and punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The following case led to an Airman losing her career over a false allegation of sexual assault.

A female Airman told OSI and local authorities that she had been raped at gunpoint in another European country while on leave. The incident received a high level of interest to include the State Department. 

As the investigation proceeded, the Airman recanted her story, stating that she was not raped and that she had consented to having sex. She claimed that her rape allegation was an “exaggeration of the facts.”

For this serious offense, she received an Article 15 and an administrative discharge with a service characterization of “General.” A general discharge characterization results in the loss of all G.I. Bill and other educational benefits. 

Aside from the lingering concern of why someone would accuse an innocent person of a crime they did not commit, remains the fact that when an Airman lies, their entire service record is overshadowed by their criminal behavior. This Airman was known for her superior work ethic, but her “off-duty” conduct blackened her entire military career.

False official statements affect more than the Airman that made them. They hurt those who are wrongly accused, take resources away from the mission and will be dealt with very seriously.