An airman has been removed from her supervisory role for a profane and racially charged rant she posted in a secret Nellis Air Force Base social media group, the Air Force Times reports.
Tech. Sgt. Geraldine Lovely of the 99th Force Support Squadron posted a video earlier this year ranting about black female airmen and noncommissioned officers who she believed had attitude issues.
“It pisses me the f*ck off that they [black female airmen] have no f*cking respect and constantly having an attitude,” Lovely said in the video. “What the f*ck is up with that? … Why is it that every time I encounter, you know, my subordinates that are black females, they have a giant f*cking attitude?”
The video went viral after an unofficial Air Force page posted it on Facebook.
“In accordance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Geraldine Lovely was held accountable for her actions,” said Maj. Christina Sukach, chief of public affairs for the 99th Air Base Wing at Nellis, in a statement on Wednesday. “While specifics on this case can’t be released, 99th Air Base Wing leadership is satisfied with the outcome.”
Lovely was dismissed from her supervisory role, and is currently under investigation by the Air Force. Sukach did not comment on whether or not Lovely still holds her technical sergeant rank, citing the Privacy Act of 1974.
“Nellis Air Force Base leadership emphasizes that any activity which disparages anyone because of their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation will not be tolerated,” Sukach continued in her statement. “Service members are responsible for their own actions, to include social media.“
“Yesterday, one of our fellow airmen decided to part with our core values and posted an unprofessional video which has no place in our Air Force,” noted Maj. Gen. Peter Gersten, commander of the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis, in a memo sent shortly after the video was discovered. “A decision by one airman has detracted from the Air Force’s proud 71 year history of breaking cultural barriers and has caused airmen to hurt, lose faith and be distracted from the mission. Let me be completely clear when I say that any type of activity that disparages anyone because of their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation will not be tolerated. Toxic workplaces and toxic leaders will not be tolerated. Teamwork, grit and getting it done through integrity, service and excellence is the Air Force way. Anything less is unacceptable and shortchanges our core values.”