Do you believe Congress should remove the ability to handle any SHARP related issues from the military Chain of Command?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 13:50:07 -0400

Do you believe Congress should remove the ability to handle any SHARP related issues from the military Chain of Command? Why or Why not? The above is an article posted by the Washington Post.

Response by MAJ Steve Sheridan made Apr 24 at 2014 4:05 PM

MAJ Steve Sheridan — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:05:52 -0400

I believe the Army is doing more for SHARP and more needs to be done.

Taking away command authority from Commanders is a slippery slope though.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Apr 24 at 2014 4:14 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:14:08 -0400

Yes. My reason: because victims aren't out there saying how great their chain of command handled their case. They're out there screaming loud and clear that their cases are grossly mishandled by their CoC.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2014 1:06 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 13:06:32 -0400

It is my personal belief that is the Army was serious about SHARP / Sexual Assault / sexual harassment prevention, like all the power point slides profess, it would remove the authority to investigate from the chain of command. As soon as there is a complaint / event send it immediately to civilian authority for investigation, judgement and punishment if waranted. This would do two things. 1) Remove the chain of command so no command influence or favoritism will be involved. Also the appearance of such. 2) ensure all parties, including the accused, have to get competent civilian representation, not just whatever officer is next on the "additional duty" roster. This would further protect the accuser and the accused. If the chain of command HAS to be involved, set up a board in Washington to receive the civilian authorities ruling, and then accept or alter the recommendations of that ruling. All with total transparency. This would ALSO remove the gross disparity of "punishment" in light of rank. Make each accused stand as a man accused of a crime. Not a Staff Sergeant or a General. All too often we see the lower ranks burned to the ground for this, but the Generals are allowed to retire with honors. I say, if the Military is serious about it, take themselves out of the process. Just my opinion

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 12:42 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 00:42:01 -0400

I think Congress needs to let military leadership do its job and Congress needs to turn around and do their job which is to prevent the executive branch of government from getting out of control and abusing power.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2014 7:18 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 19:18:37 -0500

If the Chain of Command loses their authority it will result in fewer punishments not more. The UCMJ allows NJP with little to no proof, the civilian system does no such thing and is much less effective.

The military is just much better at documentation for cases.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Feb 7 at 2015 2:09 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 14:09:07 -0500

If we are going to take these out of the chain of command and normal military justice process then we should take all cases out. We need one standard for all in the military, period. Separate but equal, as we all should know, is not a standard that really works.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2020 11:38 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 11:38:13 -0400

I was at the Special Victims Investigator Course in 2014. I will tell you what I told Gen Ordinero when he showed up at the course and asked everyone in the class a similar question. Yes the CoC should be removed from the investigation. Military Law Enforcement will brief the CoC when needed but the CoC would/shouls be strictly left out. This is a Criminal Mater and the CoC is not equipped or Trained to deal with it and worse they may violate the Subjects right inadvertently. If the case is founded it should be sent to Courts Marshal. Not back for an ART 15. I have seen repeat offenders and asked WTF why are they still in he ARMY. The answer was something to the affect of he is a good Soldier but got in a little trouble and got and At 15 for it. That is a BS answer and the CoC is negligent in my Opinion. If you catch a Sexual Predator Statistically he/she has committed the crime at least 10 times before. And a victim becomes more likely to be attacked over and over again.