U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Brian Rollefson, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron Airman Leadership School commandant, gives non-verbal aggression cues while Senior Airman Christopher Salazar, 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron, makes a radio call to his squadron while responding to a staged domestic dispute at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., July 24, 2012. Military members took part in an exercise that provided realistic training pertaining to domestic violence for SNCOs and NCOs stationed at Cannon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joseph Miles, 27th Special Operations Maintenance Operations Squadron, responds to a staged domestic dispute as acting first sergeant between Master Sgt. Brian Rollefson, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron Airman Leadership School commandant, and Staff Sgt. Shanna Pacheco, 27 SOFSS ALS instructor, at their simulated residence at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., July 24, 2012. The three military members were part of the acting team that provided realistic training pertaining to domestic violence for SNCOs and NCOs stationed at Cannon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal)
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Brian Rollefson, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron Airman Leadership School commandant, and Staff Sgt. Shanna Pacheco, 27 SOFSS ALS instructor, act as a married couple having a domestic dispute at their staged residence at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., July 24, 2012. The two military members were part of the acting team that provided realistic training pertaining to domestic violence for SNCOs and NCOs stationed at Cannon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal)
by Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
7/25/2012 - CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- "Everyone has a right to peaceful coexistence, the basic personal freedoms, the alleviation of suffering and the opportunity to lead a productive life," - James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr., former president of the United States of America.
In an effort to shine a light on a devastating truth, leaders at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., put together a realistic scenario dedicated to training Air Commandos on how to handle cases of domestic violence.
Master Sgt. Brian Rollefson, 27th Special Operations Force Support Airman Leadership School commandant, and Staff Sgt. Shanna Pacheco, 27 SOFSS ALS instructor, put on a very convincing act as a married couple having an argument in their simulated home at Chavez West Manor.
The 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron responded to the couple's residence after an NCO acting as a neighbor overheard the verbal confrontation escalating and reported the incident to the squadron.
After the responding patrolmen made initial contact with the couple, Rollefson's character became overtly physical with Pacheco's, at which point higher leadership stepped in to diffuse the scenario.
Domestic violence or abuse can be defined as a pattern of behavior resulting in physical, emotional or psychological abuse, economic control, or interference with personal liberty. These attacks can be directed toward a current or former spouse, a person with whom the abuser shares a child, or a current or former intimate partner with whom the abuser shares or has shared common living quarters.
"Unfortunately, situations like this aren't very uncommon," said Pacheco. "Military members often deal with heightened stress and face inner struggles they never encountered as civilians. We did all of this to train our personnel and prepare them if they were to ever face issues like this with actual couples."
Domestic violence is an offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, United States Code and state law that involves the use, attempted use, or threatened use of force or violence against a person.
The "cycle of violence" outlines domestic violence in a predictable pattern of behavior consistent in three phases:
The tension building phase begins with the abuser getting angry, perhaps followed by a breakdown of communication where the victim may begin to feel a need to keep the abuser calm.
The crisis phase is where the physical, emotional or sexual abuse occurs.
The make-up phase might start with the abuser apologizing for their actions, often promising it will never happen again. The abuser may blame the victim for causing the abuse or deny that the abuse ever took place. In some instances, the abuser may give gifts to the victim after the abuse.
"There are so many outstanding resources available to assist our people in facing crisis like these," said Rollefson. "Getting help from qualified, trained professionals is critical. Build relationships within your chain of command to get the referrals you need, and feel open and safe to seeking out assistance when necessary."
Family advocacy is one of many helping agencies available to members within the Cannon community. For a full list of assisting offices, visit the Helping Agencies page.
