civilians) regarding the dangers of trainee abuse and the importance of professional behavior. This training will
specifically focus upon positive aspects of professionalism, prevention and why abuse occurs (for example, frustration
with trainees, marital problems, financial difficulties, or physical attraction toward trainees). Effective training tools
may include quarterly or semiannual small group sensing sessions; officer/noncommissioned/civilian officer
professional development classes, where previous instances of trainee abuse are analyzed; or formal trainee abuse
presentations during all initial cadre training courses.
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(2) Detection of at-risk cadre and abusive acts. The duties associated with a drill sergeant, advanced individual
training (AIT) platoon sergeant, or an IMT instructor (Military/civilian)are challenging. Long hours, complex duties,
and time away from family members can cause frustration, anger, and other problems that may lead to trainee abuse.
An effective system to detect at-risk cadre, and a supportive command climate that encourages cadre to seek assistance
from their fellow cadre, the chain of command, local chaplains, or counselors could combat these problems. To be
effective, drill sergeants, AIT platoon sergeants, commanders, instructors (military/civilian) and other cadre should rely
heavily upon each other by being vigilant for signs or indications of a potential abuser. These cadre members are our
first lines of defense against trainee abuse.
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(3) Supportive command climate. Commanders will ensure drill sergeants, Platoon Sergeants, and instructors
(military /civilian) take ownership of problems they see in other cadre members, by intervening early to prevent any
acts of abuse, provide counseling to an at-risk cadre member, and report the matter to the chain of command
immediately. Commanders will implement programs that keep these key trainers fresh, alert, properly oriented, and
motivated.
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(4) Commanders will establish a hotline for Soldiers to report incidents of abuse.
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Reports and Investigations
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a. Reporting trainee abuse. All allegations of trainee abuse received by a commander will be reported. Timely
reporting of allegations of trainee abuse is vital to the command. Reporting requirements for allegations of trainee
abuse are found in TRADOC Regulation 1-8, http://www.tradoc.army.mil/tpubs/regs/tr1-8.pdf and Army Regulation
(AR) 190-45. All IMT commanders will be familiar with these requirements, and have copies readily available.
Trainee Abuse is additionally defined as any incident in which a trainee is harmed or injured in violation of Army
Regulations and TRADOC policies. A report should be filed in any case where there might be media interest or
Command interest, regardless of the alleged perpetrator status (peer on peer included). Only a commander can
determine an incident as trainee abuse.
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b. Types of reports.
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(1) Operations report (OPREP). The OPREP is designed to provide the TRADOC Command Group “real
time” information regarding important events or adverse incidents in the command. The Commanding General,
TRADOC considers allegations of trainee abuse and sexual harassment a serious matter, and requires commanders to
report allegations to the headquarters. Specifically, commanders will follow procedures in TR 1-8, for reporting all
allegations of trainee abuse to the TRADOC Emergency Operations Center via OPREP, unless the commander can
quickly determine that the allegation is not substantiated or the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is still
conducting the trainee intake report. “Quickly determine” means that the commander finds the allegation is without
merit within 2 hours. Commanders must immediately report sexual assault allegations. They do not have the authority