2nd Army recruiter's career ends after sex allegations with teen

2015-10-28T09:39:42-04:00

From the Orlando Sentinel:

A second Army recruiter left the armed forces last month in the same sex scandal that ended a colleague's career.

Staff Sgt. Christopher Doner separated from the Army on Sept. 11, three months after fellow recruiter Sgt. John Back left following investigations of their behavior with a 17-year-old Harmony High School student last year, records show.

The Army did not say if they were forced to leave.

"Remember, unless a soldier is separated under the Code of Military Justice, we cannot disclose the type of discharge," said Brian Lepley, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Recruiting Command. "Doner's release from service was through administrative channels and is protected by the federal Privacy Act of 1974."

The recruiters were arrested in December by the Osceola County Sheriff's Office after the girl's parents told investigators about the sexual relationship that began eight months earlier. The teen refused to prosecute after she turned 18 and the criminal cases were dropped, records show.

Doner, then 30, and Back, then 33, earned about $60,000 a year.

Out of 685 Army recruiters working in Florida last year, 10 were charged with sexual misconduct last year, That was an increase of four over 2013, records show.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-army-recruiter-sex-scandal-osceola-20151006-story.html

A second Army recruiter left the armed forces last month in the same sex scandal that ended a colleague's career.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Oct 28 at 2015 9:45 AM

2015-10-28T09:45:21-04:00

I think what happened to both men is right and correct, but it does always amaze me that we seem to hold these young Sergeants to higher standard than we hold our Presidents? For the record, I am in no way suggesting that we should lower the standard on the sergeants.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 9:46 AM

2015-10-28T09:46:10-04:00

One question I have after reading all of that is - what does their yearly earnings have to do with any of that?

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Oct 28 at 2015 10:27 AM

2015-10-28T10:27:35-04:00

the Army has made clear its position of zero tolerance for these actions. Recruiters are not allowed to have sex with potential recruits and CERTAINLY NOT underage high school students. They violated the law and USAREC regs that explicitly prohibits the actions. The Army is holding them accountable. GREAT, it should! Really nothing more to say.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 28 at 2015 10:52 AM

2015-10-28T10:52:18-04:00

So you couldn't say they were barred from re-enlisting and forced out? Staying in IS a privileged, not a right. And it's well known the Army's using bad performance to tighten the ranks. Glad to see these clowns gone.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 11:22 AM

2015-10-28T11:22:56-04:00

The thing that sticks out to me is the statistics embedded in the article. Six out of 685 recruiters getting caught predating on potential recruits is an alarmingly high percentage, and a 300% spike in incidents in a year that isn't over yet. That command needs to take stock and figure out what is going on.
I despise knee-jerk mandatory training, but in this I see a case where it is warranted.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2015 1:59 PM

2015-10-28T13:59:08-04:00

They are in a position of an authority as recruiters, and it doesn't matter whether or not she was intending to enlist. It's Predatory.

Good to know their salary though.

Response by CW3 Eric W. S. made Oct 28 at 2015 2:09 PM

2015-10-28T14:09:19-04:00

This was happening before I enlisted over 24 years ago, this is nothing new. That does not make it right, it is just with social media, it is more widely known.
This is just a case of people that have the opportunity at self gratification (mis)using their position to do so.
Until we, as a society and a military reevaluate our recruitment standards and toughen our requirements to enter, we are destined to see more of this. Additionally, if Commanders are not maintaining an accurate and complete working knowledge of every soldier in their command, individuals that want to step out of line are able to do so without immediate consequences. This is unfortunate, but it is reality.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 28 at 2015 6:54 PM

2015-10-28T18:54:28-04:00

What is wrong with people?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 29 at 2015 3:33 PM

2015-10-29T15:33:55-04:00

Bad things happen in prison like, "Yo you are going to be my wife newbie!"