Airmen host teal rope run

Technical training Airmen sign up for a 5k glow run hosted by the 81st Training Group teal rope program Feb. 27, 2014, at the Levitow Training Facility, Keesler air Force Base, Miss. The event was held to promote awareness of sexual assault and raise money for a local charity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman)

Airmen host teal rope run

Airman Basic Lacie Hatfield, 336th Training Squadron student, prepares for a 5k glow run hosted by the 81st Training Group teal rope program Feb. 27, 2014, at the Levitow Training Facility, Keesler air Force Base, Miss. The event was held to promote awareness of sexual assault and raise money for a local charity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman)

Airmen host teal rope run

Technical training Airmen prepare for a 5k glow run hosted by the 81st Training Group teal rope program Feb. 27, 2014, at the Levitow Training Facility, Keesler air Force Base, Miss. The event was held to promote awareness of sexual assault and raise money for a local charity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman)

Airmen host teal rope run

Technical training Airmen begin a 5k glow run hosted by the 81st Training Group teal rope program Feb. 27, 2014, at the Levitow Training Facility, Keesler air Force Base, Miss. The event was held to promote awareness of sexual assault and raise money for a local charity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman)

Airmen host teal rope run

Airman 1st Class Ryan Hallemeier, 338th Training Squadron student, wins 1st place in a 5k glow run hosted by the 81st Training Group teal rope program Feb. 27, 2014, at the Levitow Training Facility, Keesler air Force Base, Miss. The event was held to promote awareness of sexual assault and raise money for a local charity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman)

Technical training Airmen host teal rope run

Published March 3, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- It's just after dark and neon lights dance in a sea of technical training Airmen as they pour out over the walkways of the 81st Training Group. Students, colorful and loud, unite in a mix of charity, camaraderie and competition.

The members of 81st TRG teal rope program hosted a nighttime glow run Feb. 27, to promote awareness of sexual assault and raise money for a local charity.

The glow run raised more than $2,700 for the Gulf Coast Women's Center for Nonviolence.

"The Airmen simply wanted to do something good for the community," said Tech. Sgt. Sherman Dixon, 336th Training Squadron military training leader. "The event not only promotes mental and physical fitness, but it gives attention to one of the biggest problems in the Air Force-- sexual assault."

The teal rope symbolizes sexual assault awareness and support and is wore by select Airmen leaders in the training group. Rope members receive specialized training by the sexual assault prevention and response office staff and serve as a link between non-prior service students and SAPRO for information and referral support.

Airmen paid a $5 donation each and were supplied with glow sticks, a just cause and the opportunity to express themselves colorfully, said Staff Sgt. Victoria Brady, 338th TRS MTL.

The combination resulted in hundreds of Airmen in the Triangle.

"There were more participants than I had expected," said Airman Basic Tony Riley, 334th TRS teal rope. "It's exciting, especially with how new the program is."

The relatively new teal rope program shares a common goal with the charity it chose to support. Beginning as a safe house for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in 1977, the Gulf Coast Women's Center for Nonviolence has grown to be the oldest and largest domestic violence shelter within the state of Mississippi.

The charity glow run was originally proposed by teal ropes in August 2013, said 2nd Lt. Tawny Gardner, SAPRO.

In fact, the event is the first ever to be organized and hosted by teal rope Airmen at Keesler. Although the program is regulated and trained by the SAPRO, it is a voluntary means of leadership for students.

"The teal ropes are completely responsible for this event," said Gardner. "They do really great work to promote the program and help their fellow Airmen."

Supporting each other is the exact goal of the teal rope program, said Airman Basic Evan Kemner, 336th TRS teal rope president.

"Teal ropes are somewhere in between and unlike other Airmen leaders," he added. "We have a lot of freedom for improving morale and to do things for other Airmen. The more we raise awareness and the better we treat each other, the safer we can make the training environment."