McChord Leadership learns more about OSI

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rebecca Blossom
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  When a crime is committed that involves a Team McChord member, a number of people can be involved. Commanders, first sergeants, and other Airmen can play important roles in an investigation, and the Office of Special Investigations is providing insight to McChord leaders with the introduction of the OSI 201 orientation briefing on April 2.

"The purpose of the briefing is to better educate commanders, first sergeants, and those in leadership positions about OSI's mission," said Ted Davis, OSI Detachment 305 special agent in charge.

It all began with discussions between Davis and Col. David Kumashiro, 62nd Airlift Wing commander.

"He wanted Air Force commanders to have a better understanding of why OSI conducts business in the manner we do," said Davis.

The briefing, which was designed to be simple and to the point, covered a variety of topics such as Det. 305's area of responsibility, the types of cases they have investigated in the last year, and what commanders and first sergeants can expect from OSI.

"We want to give better insight to our role in their ability to maintain good order and discipline," said Davis. "We also give insight on how to keep OSI engaged in defeating criminal and counterintelligence threats that impact their units."

A crucial part of the briefing was the importance of leaders and their units working with OSI and putting faith in the criminal investigative process.

"If there is an impression from within their unit that they should withhold information from OSI, I'm not going to get the product that you need," said Davis. "You have to allow the process to occur."

The process, which may be long depending on the case and the amount of information available to OSI, requires cooperation and collaboration between special agents and squadron leadership.

"From my experience, the OSI team here on JBLM has a positive working relationship with the McChord First Sergeant's Council," said Master Sgt. Jason Torres, 627th Force Support Squadron first sergeant. "This is an integral relationship when OSI is investigating a case concerning one of our Airmen, and these briefings are key to forming positive relationships between the Team McChord squadrons and OSI."

Maj. Clinton Varty, 62nd Maintenance Squadron commander, shared his experience working with OSI previously when a group of Airmen in his squadron were involved in illegal activities. One of them, when questioned, owned up to his mistake and agreed to work with OSI.

"We could have punished the one Airman and been done with it," said Varty. "I decided to work with OSI and balance what was best for the unit and the Air Force, and was willing to wait for this Airman to work with the agents in order to remove the other Airmen from our ranks. At times the delays in the investigation were frustrating and it was a long process, but in the end it was worth waiting so I could take appropriate action on all members involved."

Other leaders in the group asked questions about the use of audio and video recordings when interviewing Airmen, searches both on and off base, and the give and take that happens when informants come forward with information.

"I often only hear about their involvement with drug and sexual assault cases," said Torres. "This briefing opened my eyes to how involved they are with the local law enforcement community and their counterintelligence efforts."

After the briefing portion of OSI 201, the group was given a tour of Det. 305 and the various areas throughout the building used for interrogations, collection of intelligence, counterintelligence, and holding rooms.

Members of Det. 305 also showed the group a variety of illegal substances and explained the dangers of synthetic substances like Spice, as well as cases that involved illegal drug use on McChord within the last year.

In the opinion of Torres, some Airmen have the impression that OSI doesn't have their best interests in mind.

"These briefings show that their true intent is to eliminate threats and keep our community safe," he said. "The OSI team shows transparency during the briefings, which opens the door for healthy dialogue and education."

For more information or to file a report, contact the AF OSI Det. 305 hotline at 253-982-2567.