Columbus AFB holds first Green Dot training sessions

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Amanda Savannah
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

Columbus Air Force Base Green Dot Coordinators and Implementers completed the first phase of Green Dot training after briefing the second of two leadership sessions here May 18.

 

The Air Force contracted the non-profit Green Dot organization to provide interpersonal violence prevention training to the total Air Force over the next three years.

 

Col. John Nichols, 14th Flying Training Wing Commander, attended the first leadership training session May 4.

 

“Green Dot will live and die by the quality of the training, and I’m very impressed,” he said. “Everyone says this is good stuff, and I would agree with that.”

 

Green Dot helps organizations like the Air Force implement a violence prevention strategy that reduces power-based interpersonal violence, which includes sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, child abuse, elder abuse and bullying.

 

“The Green Dot program is so much more than an interpersonal violence strategy; it’s a tool,” Nichols said. “Our goal is of course zero incidents, and we may get there, but we will never be done with preventing them. Green Dot will help us continue to prevent these situations.”

 

Commander-designated Airmen at each installation are conducting the training sessions. Team BLAZE’s Green Dot training team is comprised of two coordinators and five implementers.

 

“Green Dot is different from other training because it takes a grass-roots approach to reducing interpersonal violence, sexual assault, and stalking,” said LaShon Webb, 14th FTW Green Dot Coordinator. “When you complete the training, it empowers you, and makes you feel like you can make a difference.”

 

In addition to leadership training, the Green Dot training team will also hold Early Adopter training for a select number of Airmen from each squadron who will help the team promote Green Dot across the base. All other base members will attend overview training sessions.

 

Two overview training sessions for Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training students have also taken place.

 

“The students were thoroughly enthusiastic,” Webb said. “The training was very well received.”

 

Installation leadership will maintain oversight of Green Dot through the Community Action Information Board and Integrated Delivery System, and unit training managers will track completion through the Advanced Distributed Learning System.

 

Webb said he believes Green Dot will work because it has proven results and is embraced by leadership. 

 

“In a 5-year longitudinal study at selected high schools, Green Dot reduced perpetration violence by 50 percent, and achieved a 17 percent reduction in colleges,” he said. “Our base leadership has empowered Green Dot Coordinators and Implementers with guidance and resources to implement Green Dot and ensure its success, and the Green Dot team members are passionate in their belief this will work.”

 

“We all need to do our one small part,” Webb continued. “What is your Green Dot?”