Posted on Aug 26, 2015
Eradicating the Cancer of Sexual Assaults from our Military
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While serving as the Commanding General of the U. S. Army Ordnance Center and Schools at Aberdeen Proving Ground some two decades ago, I uncovered what was basically a crime ring. Drill sergeants were having a contest to see who could have sex with the most students in our advanced individual training classes. It became readily apparent by reading reports that this abuse of power was occurring not only at Aberdeen but also at other Army installations and within other Services.
When all the studies by the Department of the Army were completed and formally announced in September 1997, the Pentagon’s emphasis for correcting the problem of sexual assaults was to allege that Aberdeen was an aberration and that sexual assaults were only a problem within one school’s command. They insisted that the problem that needed to be addressed Army-wide was sexual harassment.
If one were to look at sexual assault as the cancer, then sexual harassment is the precursor. Attacking the issue of sexual harassment is vital to ensuring all civilians, military and family members are not subjected to objectionable language and conduct and are able to feel comfortable in the workplace and living areas. The cancer is still sexual assault and it continues to this day in our military.
I have had the privilege and honor over the past two years to address hundreds of Sexual Assault Response Coordinators, Victims Advocates, Special Victims Counsels, and leaders who are working hard to eradicate the cancer of sexual assaults. I have also talked with survivors, commanders, family members, law enforcement officials, and medical personnel. I have learned from them that the cancer lives on, DOD-wide.
As I go about discussing this issue in the private sector to include colleges, religious groups, civic organizations, and service organizations, I emphasize that it is only 1-2% of the military that are perpetrators of sexual assaults. But this 1-2% cause irreparable damage to survivors while concurrently damaging the reputation of the greatest military ever.
My specific recommendations with regard to eradicating this cancer have remained consistent over the past few years. I know the women appointed to positions to work on this issue are working hard, and I mean no disrespect by the following comment: As long as the military keeps putting women in charge of the prevention of sexual harassment/sexual assault, these problems will be seen as women’s issues and not military issues. Prevention of sexual assault is not a personnel or human relations issue; it’s a force protection issue. It needs to be handled in units by the same staffs who are working to prevent injury and death by improvised explosive device attacks, terrorist attacks on facilities and people, etc.
When working with the Department of Defense budget, be careful when cutting people who facilitate a commander’s ability to gain situational awareness of what is going on in echelons below him or her. It is essential that all support mechanisms are in place for soldiers and that the flow of information to decision makers is not impeded.
Sexual harassment prevention training needs to be continual and frequent.
Using sex to get ahead should not be tolerated. Women need to police their ranks just like men must do for theirs. Anyone found guilty of sexual assault and other felonies should be drummed out of the Army (Military). No second chance, no mercy—just as the Army handled drug users beginning in the 1980s.
In my simplistic mind, the key to the prevention of sexual harassment and sexual felonies in the military is for every service member and civilian, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, or rank, to be a keeper of the standards. If a soldier or civilian sees someone doing something that even appears to be wrong, he or she needs to call the offender (male or female) out on it. Give that person a chance to stop, unless it is so bad that higher ups need to know right away. If that person doesn’t stop, report them to their leadership.
Leaders must do the “tough right” and not the “easy wrong.” They must act on concerns brought to their attention, and their subordinates need to know that it’s okay to take their complaints through other channels to get resolution. The enforcement of the highest tactical, technical, ethical, and moral standards is up to every soldier and civilian in the military. If we are going to stamp out misconduct of all types, every person must enforce the standards. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
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MG(Ret) Robert D. Shadley served in key leadership and staff positions during his 33-year career. He is the author of "The GAMe: Unraveling a Military Sex Scandal" which documents sexual misconduct and abuse of power at an Army school. The book is on the Army Chief of Staff Professional Reading List.
When all the studies by the Department of the Army were completed and formally announced in September 1997, the Pentagon’s emphasis for correcting the problem of sexual assaults was to allege that Aberdeen was an aberration and that sexual assaults were only a problem within one school’s command. They insisted that the problem that needed to be addressed Army-wide was sexual harassment.
If one were to look at sexual assault as the cancer, then sexual harassment is the precursor. Attacking the issue of sexual harassment is vital to ensuring all civilians, military and family members are not subjected to objectionable language and conduct and are able to feel comfortable in the workplace and living areas. The cancer is still sexual assault and it continues to this day in our military.
I have had the privilege and honor over the past two years to address hundreds of Sexual Assault Response Coordinators, Victims Advocates, Special Victims Counsels, and leaders who are working hard to eradicate the cancer of sexual assaults. I have also talked with survivors, commanders, family members, law enforcement officials, and medical personnel. I have learned from them that the cancer lives on, DOD-wide.
As I go about discussing this issue in the private sector to include colleges, religious groups, civic organizations, and service organizations, I emphasize that it is only 1-2% of the military that are perpetrators of sexual assaults. But this 1-2% cause irreparable damage to survivors while concurrently damaging the reputation of the greatest military ever.
My specific recommendations with regard to eradicating this cancer have remained consistent over the past few years. I know the women appointed to positions to work on this issue are working hard, and I mean no disrespect by the following comment: As long as the military keeps putting women in charge of the prevention of sexual harassment/sexual assault, these problems will be seen as women’s issues and not military issues. Prevention of sexual assault is not a personnel or human relations issue; it’s a force protection issue. It needs to be handled in units by the same staffs who are working to prevent injury and death by improvised explosive device attacks, terrorist attacks on facilities and people, etc.
When working with the Department of Defense budget, be careful when cutting people who facilitate a commander’s ability to gain situational awareness of what is going on in echelons below him or her. It is essential that all support mechanisms are in place for soldiers and that the flow of information to decision makers is not impeded.
Sexual harassment prevention training needs to be continual and frequent.
Using sex to get ahead should not be tolerated. Women need to police their ranks just like men must do for theirs. Anyone found guilty of sexual assault and other felonies should be drummed out of the Army (Military). No second chance, no mercy—just as the Army handled drug users beginning in the 1980s.
In my simplistic mind, the key to the prevention of sexual harassment and sexual felonies in the military is for every service member and civilian, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, or rank, to be a keeper of the standards. If a soldier or civilian sees someone doing something that even appears to be wrong, he or she needs to call the offender (male or female) out on it. Give that person a chance to stop, unless it is so bad that higher ups need to know right away. If that person doesn’t stop, report them to their leadership.
Leaders must do the “tough right” and not the “easy wrong.” They must act on concerns brought to their attention, and their subordinates need to know that it’s okay to take their complaints through other channels to get resolution. The enforcement of the highest tactical, technical, ethical, and moral standards is up to every soldier and civilian in the military. If we are going to stamp out misconduct of all types, every person must enforce the standards. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
--
MG(Ret) Robert D. Shadley served in key leadership and staff positions during his 33-year career. He is the author of "The GAMe: Unraveling a Military Sex Scandal" which documents sexual misconduct and abuse of power at an Army school. The book is on the Army Chief of Staff Professional Reading List.
Sexual Assault
Sexual Harassment
Command Post
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
6
6
0
Until the military decides to handle this issue it will always be an issue. Handling does not mean four hour training sessions every other month in which we are taught that "ALL" Females are victims and "ALL" Males are sexual predators just waiting for their chance.
Rape is a horrible crime and the DoD has turned it into a joke through its Sexual Assault Prevention initiative. We have watered the crime down so much that we are desensitized to it now.
How can you expect service members to take sexual assault seriously when it includes consensual sex between two adults? Yes that is correct, currently consensual sex can be considered sexual assault. In fact I would go so far as to say that every member of this community, who has partaken in sexual activities, has committed a sexual assault based off of current guidance. Have you or your partner ever consumed alcohol prior? Have you ever not asked permission for each and every act? Have you ever not received a clear "yes" for each and every one of those questions? Have you ever been involved with another military member in which you were not the exact same rank with the same DOR? Afterwards has either one of you ever regretted your decision to engage in sexual activity? Or any of the other rules and requirements that must be completed prior to, during, and after sexual activity for it to be considered "consensual".
When the DoD decides to handle this like adults instead of letting civilians handle it with their kid gloves, then maybe we can fix this issue.
Rape is a horrible crime and the DoD has turned it into a joke through its Sexual Assault Prevention initiative. We have watered the crime down so much that we are desensitized to it now.
How can you expect service members to take sexual assault seriously when it includes consensual sex between two adults? Yes that is correct, currently consensual sex can be considered sexual assault. In fact I would go so far as to say that every member of this community, who has partaken in sexual activities, has committed a sexual assault based off of current guidance. Have you or your partner ever consumed alcohol prior? Have you ever not asked permission for each and every act? Have you ever not received a clear "yes" for each and every one of those questions? Have you ever been involved with another military member in which you were not the exact same rank with the same DOR? Afterwards has either one of you ever regretted your decision to engage in sexual activity? Or any of the other rules and requirements that must be completed prior to, during, and after sexual activity for it to be considered "consensual".
When the DoD decides to handle this like adults instead of letting civilians handle it with their kid gloves, then maybe we can fix this issue.
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CMSgt James Nolan
MSgt (Join to see) I agree with some of what you said.
I look at it this way: A person (civ or mil) who commits a sexual assault (against either sex) is a P.O.S. RAPIST and a CRIMINAL. Treat them that way. JAIL and the BIG CHICKEN DINNER for the mil members. JAIL and Persona Non Grata for civ personnel and dependents.
The SAPR training has value in that our members need to understand how to report a wrong, so that the unacceptable behavior can be eliminated. You do not need to see it 4-5 times a year.
SAPR training will NOT prevent the CRIMINAL from conducting the crimes.
No SMs should ever receive training that portrays the female SM as anything but equal status (not as for example weak or victim). Additionally, we must take care on how we portray the crime of Sexual Assault, as the victims of it often times have very real and lasting impact. Many times it is poo-pooed for lack of better phrasing, when in fact it is often a brutal pre-meditated attack by predator who was just waiting for the right opportunity.
I look at it this way: A person (civ or mil) who commits a sexual assault (against either sex) is a P.O.S. RAPIST and a CRIMINAL. Treat them that way. JAIL and the BIG CHICKEN DINNER for the mil members. JAIL and Persona Non Grata for civ personnel and dependents.
The SAPR training has value in that our members need to understand how to report a wrong, so that the unacceptable behavior can be eliminated. You do not need to see it 4-5 times a year.
SAPR training will NOT prevent the CRIMINAL from conducting the crimes.
No SMs should ever receive training that portrays the female SM as anything but equal status (not as for example weak or victim). Additionally, we must take care on how we portray the crime of Sexual Assault, as the victims of it often times have very real and lasting impact. Many times it is poo-pooed for lack of better phrasing, when in fact it is often a brutal pre-meditated attack by predator who was just waiting for the right opportunity.
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MSgt (Join to see)
CMSgt James Nolan I'm think I'm on the same page as you Chief. I just might have not done an effective job of explaining myself. I think the issue is we have taken sexual assault in the military to include acts that do not meet the definition of sexual assault in the civilian world, acts that in the civilian sector are not even crimes. So in the military most sexual assaults (by military definition) are not brutal pre-meditated attacks. Which contributes to the overall lackluster attitude towards the issue.
We, the military, need to follow the civilian sector's guidelines for Sexual Assault so that we can treat the actual predators as the monsters they are. We need to empower our members to say "No" to bad ideas, criminal behavior, things they don't want to do, to peer pressure, etc(Victims, bystanders, offenders, witnesses). We need to educate our members to take responsibility for their own actions. We need to mentor our members to be look out for each other, to hold each other accountable, to do the right thing. We need to provide a safe environment for each other and provide easy avenues for victims to report and receive care. Most importantly we need to take the crime seriously.
We, the military, need to follow the civilian sector's guidelines for Sexual Assault so that we can treat the actual predators as the monsters they are. We need to empower our members to say "No" to bad ideas, criminal behavior, things they don't want to do, to peer pressure, etc(Victims, bystanders, offenders, witnesses). We need to educate our members to take responsibility for their own actions. We need to mentor our members to be look out for each other, to hold each other accountable, to do the right thing. We need to provide a safe environment for each other and provide easy avenues for victims to report and receive care. Most importantly we need to take the crime seriously.
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CMSgt James Nolan
MSgt (Join to see) yes. I think we were, I was adding to it. If the crime, and it is a crime is swept under the rug, we are doing a disservice.
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"If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem."
There are too many people in our ranks that are not a part of the solution, this isn't just about sexual assault and harassment it's about a decline in ethics. We need to eradicate these individuals who do not meet the ethical standards of the United States Military. This ethical standards is far more important, in my opinion, than any PT test, weapons test, or technical aptitude.
There are too many people in our ranks that are not a part of the solution, this isn't just about sexual assault and harassment it's about a decline in ethics. We need to eradicate these individuals who do not meet the ethical standards of the United States Military. This ethical standards is far more important, in my opinion, than any PT test, weapons test, or technical aptitude.
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SGT Kristin Wiley
I honestly wouldn't know. Based on my observations I believe ethics have declined, which would correlate to an increase in sexual assault and harassment. However, statistics in this situation are difficult to identify when we know there are countless unreported incidents.
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SSgt (Join to see)
PO2 Mark Saffell I lived in the WAF/WAC era and I think it was worse then. No one reported 'Tail Hooks' or ODU kind of disrespect at colleges. So while getting better the more obscure ways of abuse are often so spectacular that they are unbelievable. Like MTIs having sex with trainees. Someone do that to my daughter and I would kick your ass without a doubt. I think this perspective ought to be minded and checks against this kind of thing severly dealt with.
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MG (Join to see)
SGT(P) Wiley, You are spot on. A BN commander's wife asked me about a year ago "what are the ethical and moral standards of the Army today." I asked why she was asking. She told me that at the welcome reception following her husband's assumption of command she overheard two of the company commanders' wives talking about how much "they would like to do my husband". She went on to say she was not raised that way. A significant point in my mind is an unintended consequence of maximizing free time between deployments was to make our Army more like a 9 to 5 job than a profession. Everyone in our Army must set and enforce the highest technical, technical, ethical and moral standards 24/7. All must do the hard right, not the easy wrong. Keep charging. Our future is in the hands of bright, young leaders like you.
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LCpl Cody Collins
SGT Kristin Wiley when this nation put the squash on the bible, and pretty much punished any Christian that dared talked publicly about Jesus Christ. The rise of darkness fills the void left when the light of God's Holy Word was removed. So now we have sexual harassment and out right rape taking its place.
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I just don't see how this can be prevented in a highly emotionally charged environment where young and aggressive males and females are mixed in close proximity.
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MCPO Roger Collins
You are on the mark, Jan. The issue, IMO, is the culture today as opposed to a few decades ago. And the lack of a PC driven agenda on the left, most of whom have not served in a closely knit organization away from civilized society.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.(to add) After not properly training anyone how to handle the affects of alcohol and the loss of inhibitions that come with recreational drug (alcohol) use.
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