An Army sergeant who served as a sexual assault prevention and response coordinator at Fort Hood, Tex., is under investigation for allegations of pandering, abusive sexual contact, assault and maltreatment of subordinates, Pentagon officials said late Tuesday.
The inquiry comes as the White House, the Pentagon and the armed services are struggling to deal with the deepening problem of sexual assault in the military. The Pentagon released a survey last week estimating that 26,000 people in the armed forces were sexually assaulted last year, up from 19,000 in 2010. A separate report recorded 3,374 sexual assault reports last year, a much lower number than the survey, suggesting that many victims are not reporting the crimes.
The noncommissioned officer under investigation had been working as an “equal opportunity adviser and sexual harassment/assault response and prevention program coordinator” with a battalion of troops — about 2,000 soldiers — assigned to the Army’s III Corps at Fort Hood when the allegations surfaced, the Pentagon said in a statement.
The suspect was not identified by name. One official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because no charges have been filed, said the portion of the inquiry related to pandering refers to allegations that the soldier was involved in managing a prostitution operation, perhaps involving a subordinate.
This of course comes on the heels of the sexual assault charges that were filed against a Lieutenant who was the Navy's chief sexual assault prevention officer.
I think there can be LITTLE doubt that the sexual assault in the military has reached epidemic levels that a comprehensive investigation must be launched to get to the bottom of it, and then implement strict guidelines for the treatment of women in the armed services.
You know my daughter and I had a rather big argument about HER desire to join the military.
I rarely intrude on her life choices, but that time I was adamant that she not enlist, and much of the reason, besides the two wars of course, was the systemic sexual abuse and the demeaning of women that seems to be pervasive in the military these days.
One of the things about this story that upsets me is that THIS was exactly the kind of thing that is used to justify keeping women out of combat, or which keeps them from having the same opportunities afforded to their male counterparts.
Instead of placing the blame on those that victimize women, the excuse is made that "boys will be boys" and that this is the expected outcome when you allow women to enter a male dominated environment.
Todd, are you feeling the police getting closer to arresting you for being a pimp?
ReplyDeleteMalia Litman is doing a great job keeping the pressure on various government agencies to investigate Todd's prostitution business.
Malia is a patriot and a great American. She's on the side of the truth, and she ain't scared like Toad and his ex-wife, Sarah. Any man from Texas who doesn't support Malia ain't really a Texan. You're a pussy. And if you're a woman, you're a self-hating fool. I need say that only for the troll visitors who venture over here from the PeePond whenever they are curious to find out the truth about the grifting former half-term governor and her "boy" who pimps out women for a living.
DeleteBest of luck to your daughter and to you, RunninL8. By being adamant and persistent, I'm sure you've raised her awareness level to do all she can do to mitigate her risks. Now we need the Joint Chiefs to do their part, and force some retirements for any in the chain of command who aren't as serious about this as a mother sending her daughter to boot camp. Thanks for speaking up.
DeleteMuch to our dismay and sadness, our daughter leaves for basic training next Tuesday. She doesn't want to open her eyes to this subject. We keep handing her the latest news in Military sexual assault, asking her what she thinks, what kind of plan can we help her establish if this should happen, that this is NOT what the norm for women in the military should be....this is NOT fucking sorority hazing. Not much reaction from her though. I can only hope and pray that the info is sinking in and that her attitude is just basic teen angst. :(
ReplyDeleteRunninL8, I hope your daughter changes her mind. As a female veteran, I would never advise women to join the military.
DeleteI was a medic stationed in Bamberg, Germany from April 1989 to November 1992. I experienced what is termed military sexual trauma. When I eventually reported it, my situation did not get better. Sure, the sexual trauma basically stopped but the harassment did not end. My perpetrator, who was a higher rank than me, admitted to the "not so terrible" parts of his crimes. Even after I reported it, we were scheduled to occasionally work together when staff was low.
After reporting the MST, I was ostracized, harassed, and vilified. I was subjected to name calling and verbal harassment.
Upon my return from active duty, I was approached by an Army recruiter to speak with potential female recruits about my time in service. I agreed with the understanding I would also discuss my experience of military sexual trauma to include how I was treated upon and after reporting, how the perpetrator was allowed to get away with his actions and even more galling he was rewarded by being sent to BNOC (school required for promotion), how my commander told me that had our races been reversed he could have done something about it (I am Native American but look white and the perpetrator was African American. As though that made a difference, he could have been green and I could have been purple for all I cared.), how I was kicked out a class presented by the NCO in charge of our base's version of the EEOC (He was the guest speaker for our weekly Thursday training time. He spoke to our unit months after my perpetrator PCSed stateside for BNOC. As I listened to him talk about how the military does not have any tolerance for pandering, sexual assault and harassment, etc., the angrier I became until I could not sit quietly any longer and I spoke out. He tried to shut me up but I was so upset and devastated by the entire situation and how it was poorly handled that I kept talking over him until he pulled rank. I was told to leave and he would speak with me when he finished his class.), and how I was strongly encouraged to re-enlist because I was an intelligent, very competent medic but I refused because the military does not protect its members from military sexual assault or sexual harassment nor does the military enforce a zero tolerance policy. I was not surprised I was never invited to speak to potential female recruits.
Also, the National Guard is no better. I joined the National Guard because my home state provides tuition exemption to guard members. I thought it would be different due to not have to basically live with my fellow guard members that I failed to take into account that any thing can happen during the one weekend a month and the two weeks summer drills which does not include having your unit activated.
Sure the military branches have S.O.P.s (standard operational procedures) and regulations but it means absolutely nothing. I have been in several groups for women who experienced sexual military trauma. From the members who served during the Vietnam era to current female veterans and military members, I have not heard one member speak about any positive changes regarding how the military addresses and prevents military sexual assaults.
Best wishes, Tante
Is the sergeant's name on Shailey's list?
ReplyDeleteThis is part and parcel of the legacy of the Real “Vietnam Syndrome," as are folk like Oliver North and Ralph Peters making senior officer rank. I'll explain it to you later, but thank LBJ AND JFK.
ReplyDeleteI so agree with your decision about your daughter, it is about time this gets the media attention. It is always the woman's fault....the fight about abortion says it all. The fact men can't control themselves has no bearing on any discussion, it is never their fault. No birth control is acceptable, but hey let the viagra be covered on any insurance. The military is a magnet for the worst offenders seeking legitimate power over their charges. It is disgusting and they should be court marshaled.
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't believe the comments on a thread yesterday about a woman who let her 2 month old twin starve and is being prosecuted. 6 other kids. In a homeless shelter.
DeleteAnd oh yeah she has an IQ of 65 and is functionally illiterate.
Not one asked where the father was. Why this wasn't treated as stat rape is appalling.
Why is this woman continually procreating if she is functionally retarded? She should be in a facility of some sort and fed birth control since she obviously is sexually active. Wow, this is so sad. I wonder if any of her children are special needs as well?
DeleteArmy Sergeant who worked as sexual assault prevention coordinator is being investigated for sexual assault and being a pimp. WTF military?
ReplyDeleteWhew I'm glad its not Track.
Now we know why Sarah married Todd and loves soldiers.
ReplyDeleteNot real soldiers... Just fake 'combat' soldiers.
DeleteSomewhere I read that a very large percentage of the reported rapes were man on man. This would be a good response to denying combat roles to women. Was your picture a clue that the sergeant is a woman?
ReplyDeleteThis is much bigger than a military problem it's a Societal problem. Look at all the recent comments about legitimate rape, and women cant get pregnant because their bodies stop it (those comments are not just about abortion). Women in this country are treated as second class citizens and until we all wake up and demand changes nothing is going to change. Maybe I should get back to my house cleaning and not worry my pretty little head( end sarcasm) but every since i moved to the US the treatment of women here has peeved me off. At my last job i was told the women couldn't change the water bottle on the cooler because it was too heavy and we had to get a man to do it . Same deal if we needed a box of paper. We were to call over to warehouse which was five minutes down the road and they would send someone over. Needless to say i got in trouble on a regular basis for changing the bottle and carrying my own paper. When i brought it up in a staff meeting , I was told it was man's work. I ask what century they were all living in.SMH The military has proven it can not investigate it owns sex crimes.
ReplyDeleteWhen I entered the work force in 1961, women weren't supposed to lift more than 25 lbs. It was law in California. It was later changed. Interesting to see the women in airports wrangling 50 lb. suitcases.
DeleteGryphen, your last paragraph "nails it"!
ReplyDeleteI was an Army nurse during the VN war, I had a few very close calls but luckily I always carry a knife( which was illegal for me to do) but I'm sure I stopped more than one rape with a knife point to their jugular.
ReplyDeleteMight have been even more effective had you pointed it a little lower. What has happened to men acting like adults instead of hormone controlled 14 year olds? I realize that a lot of enlisted men are barely literate, but one might assume that part of training is treating fellow soldiers with RESPECT and dignity.
DeleteI think a lot of this has to do with the quality of enlistees that are now accepted into the armed forces.
DeleteAssclowns.
ReplyDeleteSarah would also say "boys will be boys"
Liberal groups received same IRS letter that ignited Tea Party outrage
ReplyDeleteThe maelstrom over the revelation that the IRS targeted anti-tax Tea Party groups applying for tax exempt status for scrutiny is showing no signs of slowing down, with Republicans seeing their chance to milk a scandal for political purposes. But while the politics is heating up, some important context is emerging, like the fact that liberal groups were targeted as well, and in fact the only group to have its application denied was a liberal group.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/05/15/1209257/-Liberal-groups-received-same-IRS-letter-that-ignited-Tea-Party-nbsp-outrage
Republicans Prematurely Taking Glee in Scandals That Aren’t Sticking To Obama
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/05/15/1209183/-Republicans-Prematurely-Taking-Glee-in-Scandals-That-Aren-t-Sticking-To-Obama
Where is Ol' $creechy's OUTRAGE and INDIGNATION over these attacks on military women?
ReplyDeleteHey $creech - What about their freedom to fight for their country without having to fend off sexual predators and PIMPS who are also their countrymen !!!
Why, Ol' $quawky, are you deafeningly silent on this aggregious matter? Oh wait, isn't that the company that you keep - being married to a PIMP and sexually bully !?!?!
Sarah Palin doesn't like women.
DeleteGryph - You got it wrong, it wasn't an Officer in the Navy, it was a LTCOL in the Air Force who was the latest SARC to be charged with assault prior to this Army douchebag.
ReplyDeleteThe former Commander of the AKARNG recruiting and retention command and was an amateur pornographer, this was his registered entity:
Kodiak Entertainment Group
http://commerce.alaska.gov/CBP/Main/CorporationDetail.aspx?id=67284D
Google the address listed for Kodiak Entertainment Group:
"1120 E HUFFMAN RD 355 ANCHORAGE, AK 99515"
www.google.com
And then do a WHOIS domain search of this:
http://bereanwatchmen.com.whoisbucket.com/
Notice any similarities ?
The Berean Watchmen domain is registered to the same mail drop as the AKARNG on Fort Richardson.
Pastor by day, Pornographer by night.
If you want the rest of the story, log in at the ZJ Loussac Library and search the ADN archives for a story involving the Sands North Show Club and the Commander's ex.
This, along with Greg West make for a very interesting
Thanks for the post and info. Unreal. That's some kind of racket they've got going. Bill Allen receiving royalties on the dirty commerce side?
DeleteSounds like Louisiana in the 80's with its institutionalized lawlessness with gun-running and coke-smuggling being coordinated with rogue CIA and base command all over the state. Of course, there was stiff competition for the spot as the primary drop point just farther north up in Arkansas (Mena, Pine Bluff, NLR). All of the legendary crooks had a piece of the deal--- Barry Seal, Ollie North, GHW Bush and his outlaw buddies, Edwin Edwards & cronies, and (some say) even slick Willie. Bipartisan but hardly political as greed and corruption have no party loyalty. No customs agents on military bases, making them secure points of distribution for whatever contraband is being transported (trafficked)--- arms, drugs, or humans. There's no telling what all comes into AK that makes its way to Seattle, LA and the rest of the country. But Todd can tell you about a few things that flow in the opposite direction, if you're feeling stressed and might need a massage.
It gets better. This guy didn't get run off, he got promoted to the Deputy Chief of Staff - Operations
Deletehttp://dmva.alaska.gov/content/Press_Releases/2012/R&R%20Change%20of%20Command.pdf
Their hypocrisy knows no bounds.
So many scandals revolving around porn and the National Guard in Alaska, don't forget the risque calender that the Officer's wives made up at Ft Greely.
Deletehttp://www.armytimes.com/article/20120912/NEWS/209120319/Racy-pin-up-sparks-complaint-investigation
Makes you wonder why Todd isn't an officer in the Army, right? Well, besides the fact that he has shit for brains.
ReplyDeleteSo. Did your daughter ever say thanks Dad. You were right to convince me not to enlist.
ReplyDelete