Sexual Assault Issues- What is your take? In the Army, I think it's broken

[Jason Perry]

I have come across WAY TOO many folks in my military career and many multiples of that since I left Army service.

What the Actual Fuck?

Leaders- It is your sacred responsibility to kill this type of shit in your unit. Historically, leaders have failed and Congress seems like it has passed legislation (I think it will become law) to deal with how UCMJ actions are dealt with. Either way, why do YOU allow sexual assault in your unit? Straight up, good leaders might not be able to completely do away with sexual assault in any unit. But, if you build a good command climate, demand respect from your subordinates, and enforce standards, you can make the military a safer place. (This pisses me off to write....female servicemembers do not have to weigh and hope and wonder if leadership will do their job_) Exercise your power, leaders! If you don't know how to talk to your buds and peers, then your leadership.

Go ahead and do wrong to one of my Soldiers. I will make you wish you didn't come unto my attention. I might knuckle up, but that would be good for you. In

 

[chaplaincharlie]

I can tell way to many stories of injustice related to sexual assault/harassment.

Barracks will malfunctioning locks. Member was sleeping on the floor of another soldier's quarters after being harassed in her quarters. Leadership failed repeated request to fix the locks on the barracks.

Dependent spouse raped. Command refused to send deployed member home for fear, every spouse would be crying rape.

Female at a party. NCO raped her, another NCO present. Second NCO got an Article 15. First NCO got nothing. Complaining party got Article 15 for underage drinking.

It is time for a major change in the UCMJ. With authority comes responsibility. The failure to act responsibly means the authority must change.

 

[JRod79]

The UCMJ does need to be revised, and not to mention the leaders who swear by it. I have seen too many in my Career (Both Marines & Army) have their careers destroyed by it or walked away without a scratch (For those who deserve UCMJ action)

 

[Provis]

I have come across WAY TOO many folks in my military career and many multiples of that since I left Army service.

What the Actual Fuck?

Leaders- It is your sacred responsibility to kill this type of shit in your unit. Historically, leaders have failed and Congress seems like it has passed legislation (I think it will become law) to deal with how UCMJ actions are dealt with. Either way, why do YOU allow sexual assault in your unit? Straight up, good leaders might not be able to completely do away with sexual assault in any unit. But, if you build a good command climate, demand respect from your subordinates, and enforce standards, you can make the military a safer place. (This pisses me off to write....female servicemembers do not have to weigh and hope and wonder if leadership will do their job_) Exercise your power, leaders! If you don't know how to talk to your buds and peers, then your leadership.

Go ahead and do wrong to one of my Soldiers. I will make you wish you didn't come unto my attention. I might knuckle up, but that would be good for you. In

I agree on your broken comment. I don't see how this gets fixed without completely changing the culture. Same thing for toxic leadership. The military rewards the wrong behaviors and that affects the makeup of its leadership. As a leader you can be a complete asshole who only looks out for themselves but if that leader's numbers are good and their boss is happy with the results they will get promoted. This forces all the "Good' soldiers out and continues the cycle of perpetuating terrible leaders. The new focus on Soldier's first is a joke because its only a slogan and not cultural change. The focus by toxic leadership on the "mission" over everything else drives these issues. Its so bad that now these type of leaders won't go for a win/win scenario when trying to balance the mission and the needs of Soldiers. I know there are still some good leaders in the military but they are the exception instead of the rule.

My wife always took precautions because the greatest threat to her serving was her fellow Soldiers NOT the enemy. I have 2 young daughters and I would never let them serve in the military. I honestly don't know how this gets fixed until the focus is on people over career and mission. If you focus on taking care of people they will work harder for you than any other motivation and the mission gets done too.

 

[chaplaincharlie]

Same thing for toxic leadership.

Chameleons are hard to spot. They find their leadership's preferences and cater those, vice doing the whole job.

 

[chaplaincharlie]

Ref: Defense Authorization Act from Early Bird


"Under the final bill, the Defense Department would be required to create an independent prosecutorial office within each service to handle some serious crimes, including rape, sexual assault, murder, manslaughter and kidnapping."

 

[RonG]

[selected text]

Leaders- It is your sacred responsibility to kill this type of shit in your unit. Historically, leaders have failed and Congress seems like it has passed legislation (I think it will become law) to deal with how UCMJ actions are dealt with. Either way, why do YOU allow sexual assault in your unit? Straight up, good leaders might not be able to completely do away with sexual assault in any unit. But, if you build a good command climate, demand respect from your subordinates, and enforce standards, you can make the military a safer place. (This pisses me off to write....female servicemembers do not have to weigh and hope and wonder if leadership will do their job_) Exercise your power, leaders! If you don't know how to talk to your buds and peers, then your leadership.

Hello @Jason Perry

Before the advent of DFAS, I was a first sergeant in a finance unit. Approximately 50% of the total number of soldiers happened to be female. Most were excellent soldiers. I rarely had problems with them.

On the other hand, while on a PT run or marching back to the barracks, often there would be suggestive remarks from soldiers of other units, even with their 1SG present. With that climate and an awareness of leaders, it is no wonder to me that sexual assaults exist since the preps have no respect for female soldiers. I should add that there are cases of sexual assault against male soldiers too.

Yes, I took appropriate action to stop the insults, but I could interpret the smirks of some of the other first sergeants that little would be done. This occurred during one of my assignments to an infantry division. Most of the people in that division acted like decent human beings.

I've abbreviated my story so it will not seem like War and Peace.

Ron

 

[chaplaincharlie]

My guess is that an independent prosecutor is not the answer. The independent counsel will not change the hostile environment. Seven years ago, I was assigned to walk through buildings not under my leadership, while other leaders did the same. Even the best of leaders were not aware of the things in there AOR. Until the military cleans up the environment Congressional interest into UCMJ as it pertains to sexual assault... will continue.