Air Force instructor pleads guilty, admits having sex with trainee

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Published: 9/24/2012 2:00 pm

Updated: 9/25/2012 7:51 am

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - An Air Force training instructor charged in the sex scandal at Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland has pleaded guilty.

Joint Base San Antonio officials say Staff Sgt. Jason Manko's admitted to exchanging texts of a sexual nature, including sexually explicit photos, and engaging in sexual activities with a female trainee in technical school. Manko was sentenced to 45 days confinement, reduction to the grade of E-3 (Airman First Class), forfeiture of $500 pay per month for 3 months and hard labor without confinement for 30 days as well as a 30-day restriction to Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland.

Manko and 17 other instructors are being investigated in a scandal that has led to criminal charges against six and shaken up air Force leadership. Manko's is the 5th completed court-martial.

Last week, Col. Deborah Liddick was handed the reins to the 737th training group but downplayed the significance of a woman taking over Air Force basic training at such a visible moment.

More than 40 women have been identified as victims of inappropriate contact, harassment or sexual assault.

Parts of this story were obtained from the Associated Press. Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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JoNoes - 9/25/2012 8:41 AM

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@JJTX99, yes, you have a point, at times women appear to be the victims in a game that both may have participated willingly. However, in the various news casts that I've seen (that includes multiple sources) everyone has classified these women as "victims". So far, I have not seen any of them being charged as opposed to the TIs. This being the case and evidence presented, the TIs were tried and convicted in a military court. At the same time, just like you've stated that "society is conditioned to think that the women is always the victim" , we also have those that will always blame the "victims".

BatLover - 9/24/2012 11:17 PM

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In all my years in the military, I never had this kind of problem. Nor do I know any other woman who did. The instructors always treated us like professionals. Maybe I was just lucky. Or maybe the Navy has a higher class of people.

JJTX99 - 9/24/2012 10:00 PM

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Jonoes: my main point was that society is conditioned to think that the women is always the victim in theses cases, when this is far from the truth in this case. They are both adults and both participated.

Pastor Bob - 9/24/2012 9:36 PM

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I am afraid I have mixed feelings about this situation. On the one hand, fornication is a sin and unless the perpetrators repent their sinful lust and come to Jesus for salvation, they will certainly be sent to Hell for their crimes against God's laws. On the other hand, the Devil's people, who favor fornication and all other sins, known and unknown, are only angry in this case due to the heterosexual nature of the offense and they are having none of it. The subheadines says it all- he was accused of having sex with a female trainee. Due to the unfortunate duality of this delima, I shall withhold my opinion until I have discussed the matter with my Pastor, but my gut feeling is that they are all going to Hell, there to roast for their sins, which are many.

el coyote - 9/24/2012 8:55 PM

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Well, the recruits are under training having just come out of high school or from a failed college attempt. They have been having a great time with parties, sex orgies, drugs and self entertainment. The Instructors are season military men, they know the sacrifices others have made, at one time they too were proud, their skin felt the sounds of the National Anthem, they saluted our Flag with pride holding off tears for the many that have died defending what it represents. Yes both should be kicked out of the military, but the Instructors should be considered traitors, prosecuted and sentence to hard labor for their act against our Military Standards.

JoNoes - 9/24/2012 5:07 PM

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@JJTX99, I will agree with you that both violated the military code of conduct. BUT, there is a big difference between a seasoned military training instructor and a new recruit. These guys knew what they were doing and used the intimidation factor to gain the advantage. These TIs have an honor and obligation to stand by when it comes to building these recruits to military standards and they failed misserably.

JJTX99 - 9/24/2012 4:37 PM

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Oh OF COURSE Jonoes. None of these trainees were trying to obtain an advantage during training or anything riiiiiiight? Remember, THIS guy is accused of 'sexual activities', Not sexual assault. That means both parties were willing participants. Not ALL of these girls were victims of a violent sex crime. Some chose their paths quite willingly and are not at all a victim in the typical sense that some might think. In these cases, both parties should be kicked out of the military as they BOTH violated the rules within the military code of conduct.

JoNoes - 9/24/2012 3:01 PM

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POS scumbags, these trainees come to the AF half scared and for most, this is a huge step for them. They are now on their own, away from family and the very people that is supposed to give them the self confidence and security abuse it by overstepping their boundaries. I hope that they punish these $h!t$ for a long time.

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