Posted: 4 Dec 97: "Outraged!!!"
I am a former Army guy of 14 years, married to an active duty spouse. All of the stories military females have included to your page are truly an embarrassment to the services as a whole! Unfortunately, I believe each and every one of them. I feel saddened that these women were harassed, and in some cases, even raped......and nothing happened to the perpetrator. My wife was just selected for E-7 with only 11 years in service, and that is good. Reading the articles on your page has really made me think about her safety and the possibility some asshole doing the same to her. These women were needlessly abused and the system condoned it....sad, sad, sad! I don't know what to say. I know of the "cat calls", and the like, as observed from my male counterparts from my Army days. I know that it is real, I know that it happens every day, and I am sure it happens wherever we have servicemen and women stationed together and I would never doubt that any of the horrifying, scarring incidences on your page indeed occurred. Whatever news media folk decided that the "Aberdeen" issue was strictly isolated to Aberdeen, was blatantly mistaken, I wish I had the magic cure. Before I close, I must congratulate the efforts, and courage for putting together a page of this intensity. Alot of interesting information, unfortunately at the expense of someone's daughter.
Posted: 4 Dec 97: "Not Surprised"
I was in the navy for four years. It was a living hell for me. I was treated so badly I nearly had a mental break down. I could go on for hours about the abuse, harassment, mental abuse, and sexual advances I endured through those four years. I am out now and managed to keep my mind and got an honorable discharge. I'm not surprised to see so many bad experiences, but it is still sad knowing that it will continue.
Posted: 4 Nov 97: "Reply to 14 Feb 97 post: Sexual Harassment (Reply to 13 Feb 97)" (See submissions in Harassment Issues, File #1)
What does race have to do with sexual harassment? The female population in the military is made up of all different races. Therefore, it is a given that some women who claim sexual harassment will be minorities, just as it is a given that women of the majority will claim sexual harassment.
Your comment about minorities claiming sexual harassment discredited any other information that you gave in your reply. You need to focus more on the issue at hand and stop trying to divide the issue upon racial lines.
Webmaster Note: This message thread can be found in Harassment Issues, File #1, 13 Feb 97, 14 Feb 97, 6 Mar 97 (3 posts), 17 Mar 97 (2 posts), 21 Mar 97, and 25 Mar 97
Posted: 4 Nov 97:
I remember reporting to my first duty station. I looked gooooood. I was in my Alpha uniform straight from graduation at admin school. When I walked in the door, I got several cat calls from my soon to be male counterparts. I was one of four women in an office of about 16. That incident didn't effect me much because I had been cat called before.
My problems started a month later. My SSgt was a strange looking fellow with a big nose and beady little eyes. He smoked these filtered cigars and imported cigarettes. I still to this day can smell them awful cigarettes. There was an occasion when three checks came up missing. I had checked them out to the First Sergeant of that company, but I was not the one who checked them back in. They turned up three weeks later, in my desk calendar. One problem, I don't tuck things into my desk calendar, because such mistakes could happen. To make a long story short, I ended up being the scapegoat and I got two weeks extra duty. That is working 6-8pm in the office doing just about anything the SSgt wants me to do. I found out later that extra duty can only be performed doing the work you already do as your MOS. In other words, they can't make you swab the deck or dust as extra duty.
Well, he found every grunt job he could just to keep me busy. When he wasn't personally observing me doing this extra duty, he was trying to hide his car outside waiting to see if I would try leave early, which I never did. He thought he was being clever. On one of the nights it was almost time to go and I was very upset emotionally. I had asked him how this would effect my career and he told me he didn't think it would look good. I became much more upset. He took me into a back room (where they would change for PT) and began to "console" me. He started by putting his hands on my shoulders and as he pulled me to him his hands moved down to my waist. If it were not for my field jacket being folded over my arm between us, I would have really found out exact how much he liked me. At that point I became very uncomfortable and made up some excuse to leave. As I exited the building his 9 month pregnant girlfriend was waiting in the car for him.
I pursued harassment charges, but dropped them after a discussion with my female GySgt. She made me feel sorry for the girlfriend by saying, "What will happen to her and the baby if he loses his career?" So I dropped them. After that, I could do nothing right. He had me locked and cocked in front of his desk every day. Before all this happened, he had told me about people he and his brothers killed when they were young and no one had ever found them. I was afraid of this man. He told me every morning exactly who I was out with and where we were the night before. I would see him just show up out of the blue at different places.
I decided to move off base and stay in the 2nd room of a couple who were friends of mine. He showed up unexpectedly to pick her up for work, knowing that she was already on duty from the night before. She had not asked for a ride. He ripped me a new one as soon as I got to work that morning. Even after she told him that she invited me to stay there, he still ripped us both. He even accused me of coming to the door with no shirt on. He was only checking up on me.
About 8 months went by of this constant harassment until I ended up in Office Hours. I was covering for another Marine who was on leave and doing the orders for their class. There was a big mix-up between my classes and his and the class was delayed over a holiday from leaving. This SSgt told me that everything would be alright if I just got them out of here. So I proceeded to do that. The next thing I knew, I was up on charges of Dereliction of Duty and lying to a superior. Since everyone was afraid of him too, no one came to my defense. They just let me crash and burn. I ended up with a forfeiture, 2 weeks extra duty and 2 weeks restriction. By that time my fiancé had returned from deployment the night before and now I was restricted to the barracks. That sucked. I never appealed my case.
After this episode, I was rescued by a LtCol who told me, "I don't care what happened before, you work for me now and as long as you do your best, that is all I care about." He was my savior.
A year and a half later, he struck again. His wife screwed around on him with a GySgt we were stationed with. He reported him to the Naval Investigative Service. I was called down to NIS accused of being in the GySgt's room one morning when this SSgt went to wake him up for duty. I was supposedly naked and running to the bathroom when the GySgt opened the door. NOT! This idiot must have forgotten that when he left to go get the GySgt, I had just reported for duty at the headquarters building and was sitting with the Officer of the Day when this alleged incident occurred. When I was asked by the NIS agent what my opinion was of this SSgt, I said I thought he was an "A--Hole". At lease I could tell the truth.
A few months later I was promoted to Cpl and asked to return to the Admin Office to work. I told my MGySgt that I would, if, the SSgt was gone. He already had orders to an overseas location. The LtCol told the Personnel Officer that I would come back only when the SSgt was gone. The day he checked out, I came back there to work. We past each other in the vestibule, but did not speak or look at one another.
I never heard from him again, but everytime I see a van like his I shutter.
Posted: 15 Oct 97:
I left the Marine Corps after being scrutinized and held up for public consumption and having gone through the "mental Health" bull****! I was RAPED! The Command did nothing! In my case the bottom line was-- the USMC would rather save the career of 6 males than one female! Women be warned!
My "situation" was absolutely intolerable ( suicidal) Today I still deal with the details and poor self-image problems as a result. I'm mad as HELL! One of my best female friends who I served with had the same thing happen to her overseas..She went through the Article 32 proceedings for two months and the end result....not enough evidence to carry on with. Sound familiar? I blame myself for being in an environment where I trusted my co-workers! I blame myself for drinking alcohol that night! But I blame the Marine Corps and the Senior Enlisted and Officers for dismissing it and allowing these "MARINES" to carry on as if nothing happened! Back to my friend I know many of you reading this section have your "issues" as well...but what can I do to make her feel better? Hell, what can I do to make me feel better? Suicide is not the answer. Drinking is not the answer. Drugs are not the answer. Isolation and self-loathing are not the answer. I can not forgive the Institution that took so much from me and still today continues to look the other way! To all you neigh-sayers who think that a lot of women "whine" and make false accusations. When it happens to you I will believe you.. and I will try to protect you.. Because I know firsthand how it can devastate your life.
Posted: 3 Oct 97:
I've been in the Army for over 15 years. I have experienced my share of harassment though fortunately not the extreme that some of these women have suffered. I will not defend the Army's EO policy except to say that it is 100% better than when I first joined and becoming better-if for no other reason than public pressure. I've seen valid complaints and whining or misuse of the complaint system.
I can only hope that while the services are developing their policies that they don't go to the opposite extreme and stop challenging women in fear that women will cry sexual harassment. That we as military women won't let that happen by mentoring the young women that enter the service today and educating them on the system and it's proper use. At the same time, holding Commands accountable for their actions or lack thereof.
I've seen the system work. A Command Sergeant Major of my battalion was federally convicted of mistreatment of his soldiers and forced to retire at a lesser rate than he was at. Yet, in the middle of the investigation the Captain from the Staff Judge Advocate's Office while talking to the women involved had the nerve to say "it's not like he actually raped anyone"(while this was true, his tone was so dismissing it made me angry!). There are many details of what he did do which I won't go into but he most definitely needed to be out of the Army.
I never thought I had much of an opinion on this issue until, early in my career, during an EO class one soldier stood up and said that this was a volunteer force and we're all volunteers, that no one was forced to join so "deal" with it. I blew a gasket!! I was standing up and almost screaming before I realized I was so angry. He instantly backed down but since then I've developed my own way of dealing with men who even show an inkling of this thought process.
I do know that because I've been in so long and seen so much of it and learned to deal with it the best I could that I've become "hardened" to it. Not sensitive enough. After the CSM incident, I promised myself that I would try to find a good middle point. I despise women who are so sensitive that the rest of us-women included-are concerned to the point of distraction from the mission. At the same time, the world changes and previously accepted behavior can no longer be tolerated or excused.
I wonder how I will deal with it in the Civilian world. I recently had a First Sergeant who said "we are a mirror of our society". What a true statement. It's so easy for the American public to criticize and pressure the military. Yet I would venture to bet that Sexual Harassment is soooo much worse in the civilian sector. You don't hear about it because people are afraid for their jobs.
My advice to any women in any service is this: If you feel you are being harassed-for any reason, by anyone- talk to someone you trust. Let the offender know how you feel. If that's too uncomfortable, use a third party. Then, if the behavior isn't stopped, take it to your chain of command. If that still doesn't work (personal opinion-the chain of command should be fired!) then go thru your EO chain. I'm talking fairly low level harassment. Obviously, more timely action should be taken for actual physical harassment such as rape. Use the system whenever necessary but don't abuse it. Always solve things at the lowest level. Several people tried to correct the above mentioned CSM by confronting him but it didn't work. Someone skipped the chain of command and went to CID. We never saw him again. This sped up the process but I'm convinced that with the Commander we had at the time the same result would have been reached. In fact, it was that commander that basically had a restraining order put on the CSM that he could not be near anyone in our unit. Even at public places. So, while there are still idiots out there, there are a lot of people in charge who support the system and use it wisely.
Posted: 2 Sep 97:
I don't know how to start my story, but to say that it all started when I joined the military. I was doing CQ duty at about 0200 when I approached the front desk to relieve my fellow soldier of duty only to find her giving the sergeant in-charge a back rub. When I asked what was going on she looked-up at me and said "it's ok he's really cool". That was my first taste of what life was going to be like as a woman in the Air Force. Through-out my career there were many different situations that were just as hideous and wrong as my first encounter. The more I spoke-up about the injustice of the way women were being treated and spoken about, the more I found myself doing base details. The sergeant in charge of base details asked me what I did that was so bad to be sent to him continuously. Finally I caught on, just keep your mouth shut airman and do your time. Towards the end of my enlistment I was at a party overseas while on a TDY. Walking up to the party one of the first things that caught my eye was a colonel so intoxicated that he was groping every woman that crossed his path. A short time later I approached my command section who was standing there laughing at his behavior. I watched as my command section introduced the young women of our squadron one by one to this man knowing what he would do to them. At one point my commander turned to me and said "well I guess he owes us". I was so disgusted that I walked up to my supervisors, who were at the other side of the party, to inform them I was leaving. While talking with them the colonel came behind me and grabbed my buttocks so tightly I had to jump between my supervisors to break free. I walked up to my command section and demanded that they help me, only to be told it was their night off, laughed at and shooed away. To make a long story short, after the investigation was completed everyone involved was promoted and I was forced out of the military. Because the rank of everyone involved, no one would help or even talk to me. I then sought out a lawyer on my own and have been in the court system going on two years now. The state court appointed a retired pilot as my judge who threw my case out of court. Then I drew three male judges in the Circuit Court who also threw my case out. Both courts dismissed my case because of the Feres doctrine. I now have 45 days to file with the Supreme Court if I wish to continue. After two years my lawyer and I have ran out of resources which may cause us to stop our fight. I have gone to a number of organizations who have ignored my phone calls or just flat out said we don't have any funds to give. These are organizations that were built for cases just like this but yet cannot help people like me. I have fought hard to try and stop some of the harassment that occurs in the military and have tried to open doors for women that will follow me. I am afraid I may have failed. I wish the best to anyone who tries to do the same thing maybe they can get further than I did.
Posted: 25 Aug 97:
I joined the navy hoping for a career and all I got was a lot of harassment and torture. I loved what I was allowed to do, but seeing how I ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time, I was raped and the whole command treated me like it was my fault. After 13 and 1/2 months of pretrials and conferences and transfers, we finally went to court martial and he was acquitted on the grounds of hear say. In the mean time, I had rumors go around that I was selling myself and that I was easy. I got used to the rumors and finally learned to laugh at them. Although, at first, it was the hardest thing for me to deal with, but then I seen that, in my eyes, the military isn't ready for women. They can teach about harassment all they want, but that will never change a mans point of view on a woman working side by side in the military with the same responsibilities as he. Sure, I miss it, but the trials that it put me through is too much to deal with again. I would never wish my experience on any body and I hope that the military can learn to deal with women in a better manner.
Posted: 3 Jul 97:
I can really relate to so many of your situations. I too loved the military, It was my life and who I was. I recently retired last year and I find myself reliving my career. When you're in the military and as woman I truly think it's impossible to go through without being sexually harassed and raped, or date raped, it's the same thing to me. I have had a company commander ask me if I wanted to become a member of the mile high club to promotions being held by one SFC just for not going along with their program. Being put on KP for a week until the CSM realized that I was not assigned to the mess section and he corrected the situation. I can remember on this one convoy we were spending the night in this field and I was warned what the Co & SFC had planned for me so my 1SG sent me ahead so I wouldn't be put in harms way. By the way I was the only female in the company.
You were talking about CQ, it seems like it always happens there . For me it was basic training Ft. Jackson S.C. 1981. I too was raped by the Drill SSG . I know I am rambling but reading through this has opened a lot of old wounds.
When I got engaged to my husband my NCOIC harassed me on a daily basis with rude crude comments. One time I was late getting into work and he commented what was I home spreading my legs for my old man. This is just one of the nasty comments that you hear. Along with all of there explicit sexual activity and yes these guys were married. They nicknamed me Mother Theresa because I refused to lie to their spouses and cover for them.
Through all of this I still loved my experience with the military and would do it again if I could. In spite of some of the pigs I stood my ground and overcame. I always received outstanding NCOER's along with 5 Army Commendation Medals and 5 Army Achievement Medals.
I could go on about many many more incidents but what's the point all we can do is try and make it better for the up and coming females.
Posted: 2 Jul 97:
Less than two years ago I left college and joined the Air Force. My experience has been good for the most part, but like many women, I have had my share of bad experiences being a woman in the military. During technical training I had one of the worst experiences of my life. It happened the first time I pulled CQ. I had been out of Basic Training for a week or so. A male airman (we'll call him A1C Jerk to "protect" his name) came and sat in the CQ room with the other assigned airman and myself. He was in civilian clothes and had been drinking. We sat there for awhile watching a movie and talking about how stressful BMT had been. He offered me a drink. I refused the drink many times, but he kept offering. Eventually, I accepted a few sips. We continued talking for about an hour. He wanted to hear all about me. Then, when I had to go on a security check A1C Jerk wanted to go with so he could "show me how to do the check". Once we got in the female hallway he disappeared into a friends room and came out with beer. I had one. He kept insisting that I drink more. I began to feel awkward, but he seemed so nice. At this point I was slightly drunk. Well, we continued doing the security check till we got to another friend's room. A bunch of girls were in the room taking Nyquil pills. I told them they were stupid, but they said that if I took it with alcohol that I would be able to stay up to finish my CQ shift because the combination gives you energy. Believe it or not, I believed them. I don't remember much else of the night. I remember kissing him, but not much else. A1C Jerk led me down to an empty room. I passed out almost immediately. When I woke up I found he had removed almost all of our clothing. He was naked and was about one second away from having sex with my passed out body. I grabbed my BDU's and ran away. I could give a lot more details, but I won't. I return to CQ crying and sobbing. I told a friend in the day room what had happened. The next day I told my roommate. I spent the next few days hiding in my room leaving only for meals. A1C Jerk made only one contact-- a note slipped under my door apologizing. Later that weekend I confided in our Yellow Rope (student leader). I told her as a friend, but as a leader she felt she should report it.... so she did....without telling me. After that, my weeks were filled with OSI visits, lawyers, commanders, etc... My commander wanted me to cooperate. However, I felt very responsible and was already receiving harassment from other airmen since everyone had heard-- so I refused to cooperate. He accused me of lying and of "wanting it". Eventually, I cooperated. I talked to Social Actions. I talked to OSI. I talked to Victim/Witness Advocate. I talked to them all. To tell the truth, I have no idea what kind of punishment he got. I don't care. I don't talk about it. All I know is that I was harassed by EVERYONE-- even my commander!!! Yes, I screwed up BIG TIME. I drank. But, I did not asked to be raped. And, if I had not woken up.... that is what would have happened.... raped. I believe A1C Jerk got an Article 15 for attempted rape and assault.... but he's still in the Air Force. So, ladies, please be careful.... there are a lot of jerks out there.
Posted: 16 Jun 97:
I am attending college on a ROTC scholarship. I am the only female in my class, and I am used to working with macho men. I was required to go to a Basic Camp at Ft. Knox, KY. I was so excited. I finally felt like my career was getting started. My whole life I have wanted to be in the army. The first 3 weeks of training went great. I made some great friends. I was placed in charge of the females bay area. That basically means that 51 other female cadets and the bay area were my responsibility. I was proud that I was given the responsibility. My drill Sgt.'s told me that the other females looked up to me. My whole world came crashing down when one night I was pulling CQ. The drill Sgt on duty that night was drinking. I knew what he was doing was wrong, but I couldn't do anything about it at the time. He told me that he was having marital problems, and wanted to unwind. It was about 1am, and he didn't seem drunk. I figured he knew his responsibilities to the 200 cadets in the building, and would not get to drunk. We sat talking in the office for awhile, when he got up and locked the door. I can't go in to details, but he came over and raped me. I didn't know what to do. After he was done I couldn't look at him. I like to think he realized then that he messed up. He told me to go back upstairs, and not to tell anyone what happened. I went upstairs and climbed into bed. I wanted to take a shower so bad, but one of my rules was no showers after 8pm. This let them be cleaned for morning inspection. I laid on my bed in shock until 5am. Everyone went down for PT. I ran faster than I have ever run that morning. The Battalion commander even noticed it and made a comment about it. PT had lasted longer than planned, and we only had 10 minutes before we had to be back down for formation. I found a friend from my platoon and told her a had to take a shower. She got mad that I wanted to break my own rules. I broke down crying. I told her everything, and begged her not to tell anyone. I got a shower and made the formation on time too. That day was miserable. We were in the classroom for training, and I got up about every hour to go cry in the bathroom. Another cadet asked me what was wrong. I told her too. I didn't know what to do. The day finally ended, and they let us go upstairs for personal time for a few hours before dinner. A broke down again, and my bunk buddy asked what was wrong. I told her I was just upset. A few minutes later a female drill Sgt came and said she needed to talk to me. The girl I had told that morning had told her what I said. I spent the next 12 hours having to tell senior drill Sgt., CID and the emergency room what happened. I had decided that it was my responsibility as the leader of the female cadets to make sure none of them were put in the same situation. I had to fight to stay at camp. Some COL decided it would be best to send me home, or at least switch companies. I begged him for an hour to leave me where I was. I had a support group in my platoon. They were there when I needed them. When the story got out to the other drills I was harassed. Never openly, but they let me know that they knew. That was except my platoon drill Sgts. I survived because of their professionalism. I never told anyone in my family what happened though. I knew they would want me to come home, and everything would be different. I graduated from camp, and 6 months later the drill Sgt. finally plea bargained. I was happy it was over. I had made a promise to myself that I would never use what happened as an excuse for anything. When I did that I buried it deep inside of me. It has now been 2 years and I am still not over what happened. I buried my feelings so deep that I didn't realize that it was smothering me still. I was afraid of the cadre at school, and being with the other male cadets. I am finally openly telling this story here because I think it is important. I am still in ROTC, and will be commissioned as a 2LT in a year. I still love the army, and most of the people I meet. I had to learn the hard way that there are bad people in every profession. I don't blame the army for what happened, but for saving me after it did. I had a lot of people help me to get back on the track I had been on. I hope that nothing like this ever happens under my command, but if it does I know I will handle it in the best interest of the victim. I hope my story can help somebody out there.
Posted: 3 Jun 97:
When I was in the service and many people of my era, many Company Commanders expected either blood or money for the Red Cross or no pass. This was very common then and I would like to see how many people experienced this. I would like to hear from anyone who was harassed by their superiors to donate either blood or cash or they would not receive a weekend pass and maybe life could become miserable. This was common in the 50's and many world war two vets will have nothing to do with the Red Cross.
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Posted: 3 Jun 97:
OPERATION MILITARY CLOTHESLINE, Sponsored by STAMP. See article in section entitled "Hodge Podge."
Posted: 7 May 97:
Parts of me are very proud of the time I spent in the Navy. I served from 1976-1980, and some reserve time after that. I was promoted to the rank of Aviation Storekeeper Second class before my 21st birthday. I was praised often, perfect military evaluations, and overall it was a real fun, educational time of my life. I tell young women that if you have no other goals, that the military has great benefits, and is a good place to grow up a little more, after you leave your parents.
The sexual harassment stuff was so real...As much as I loved my jobs, duty stations, off duty time, and all the wonderful friends I met, the harassment was always there.
August 1976, boot camp, Orlando Florida, assigned to the mess hall, there was this weird, beyond weird, petty officer who decided (in his wildest dreams) that I was interested in him. He would not leave me alone. Finally convinced my company commander to intervene. It took a few complaints, lots of convincing that I had not led the sicko on, funny I had not even turned 18 yet.
October 1976, A School, Merdian Miss, a teacher in the aviation storekeeper school, kissing me after a party, too much booze (lots of Navy parties were this way), I remember trying to be tolerant, as he graded my results in my military school.
1977, Naval Station, Adak, Ak, Had a fling with my Chief Petty Officer, I found him attractive, but I cannot say I really wanted to have an affair with him. Lets just say I found it difficult to say no. The pressure was there.
Another Adak Incident, I Chief Warrant Officer comshawed a flight jacket for me. Kind of a prize when you are in the aviation field. He told me later I need to trade him a favor for it. He was pretty clear that I was the favor. I said no, was so shocked I started crying, he got nervous, said he was just joking. Maybe... I still have the jacket. Maybe we should have been awarded medals for how much harassment we tolerated, I could have sewed a patch on the arm.
1978, Alameda Air Station. Older, braver, 3rd class petty officer. My chief said sex or no second class, I said bad evaluations, and no E8 promotion for you. I had finally gained enough confidence, and ego to say go f--- yourself.
1982 or so Reserve Duty, Portland, OR Once again, a flaky guy, decided I was interesting. I don't know what they see in me. Follows me to my civilian job, clearly a section 8 candidate. Says he is going to marry me. I told him I was already married. 2 or 3 weekend duties later a Navy legal officer got him off my back. My chief petty officer said " don't wear your uniform shirts so snug across your breasts." I always got perfect 4.0's on my military bearing.
I really do not want to make it all sound bad. I still give my military experience a B+ grade. It paid for college after I got out, provided me with work-study while I went to school, not to mention big bucks for one weekend a month.
I guess the only reason I am writing this is to lend my support to all the women who served, and whose harassment caused them trauma. I hope the military will instruct their Sr officers, and Sr enlisted men to have respect, and understand that no person in a position of direct authority should try to instigate a sexual relationship with a person of lower status. It's too complicated. That person is supposed to be able to direct you in to a line of fire, ask you to give your life, and yet a girl is supposed to have the balls to say no to sex...
Posted: 6 May 97:
The past two and a four years have proven to be hell on earth for me. I entered the Army in June 1993 as an enlisted member with the intention of pursuing a career through the officer ranks. I was in my third year in college before I joined and wanted also to take advantage of the college money. My scores on the entry tests (ASVAB and DLAB) were exceptionally high. Every job in the Army was open to me. I had high hopes for excelling in the service as my father, my uncle, and both grandfathers had.
My naiveté and my head strong attitude carried me as far as advanced training where an instructor, SFC XXX at Ft. XX, began exhibiting preferential treatment toward me. These actions snowballed into blatant sexual harassment when he said to me as I bent over,"Baby, you can bend over in front of me anytime with that ***" When I turned around to look at him his expression changed and he said, "If you tell anyone I said that I'll deny it." I consulted a few other women in my class who also expressed similar treatment and language. Based on the training we received in reporting harassment, we went to our DS who went to the 1st Sgt. The 1st Sgt made us write formal statements and meet with him individually. The issue was dealt with within the chain of command. NOTHING happened to SFC XXX. He was on his way to Warrant Officer School the next month.
From Ft. XX I went to [an overseas assignment] where the ratio of men to women was 14:1. I, an E-3, was approached by upper enlisted men, warrant officers, and commissioned officers for relationships beyond the work environment. I received letters from an E-8 during work hours propositioning me for a sexual relationship. Based on the outcome of the incident at Ft. XX I figured I had no recourse against this high ranking enlisted member. I destroyed the letters and continued to tell him I was not interested. I found out after he left that I was not his only victim. Another woman reported him and nothing was done. It seems that he was intentionally trying any method to be released from [overseas]. Our CSM would not let him go because he was so close to retirement. What a tradeoff. Punish a man by allowing him to victimize the women under your command. HIDEOUS!!!!!!
My year [overseas] continued along those same lines. By the time I reached US soil again I was wiped out with the Army. My desire to make a career out of this organization had waned. I was disgusted and just wanted to get out. Yet,I was still on the road toward promotion just to keep myself busy and not to fall into the laziness trap like I saw most of my peers do. My reputation still meant everything to me.
It was with those ideals that I made the worst decision of my life. When I signed into Ft. XXX on a Monday night I was placed into a platoon directed by SSG XX. From the very first meeting on Tuesday he began asking me out. I was explicit when I expressed to him my disturbance with his advances. First, I was not attracted to him. Second, I was getting married the following month. Third, he was married. Fourth, it would be completely inappropriate for us to be seen together because of our rank difference, me E-4 him E-6. Still, he persisted. I was in his office regularly checking on the status of my orders. He was my go between and assisting me in having them changed. By Thursday afternoon he had news that they were changed but I would be stuck in the Barracks over the weekend. I was elated and deflated in the same conversation. This time when he asked me out he said he wanted to take me out "as a friend" to get me out of the barracks. With the previous news and the knowledge that I was stuck there over the weekend I conceded. He seemed to understand my position on where our relationship stood.
Based on my previous statements to him regarding our relationship it seemed inappropriate to be seen together on post or in public for that matter. We found a quiet place and sat and talked. He asked prior to leaving if I wanted any alcohol to drink. I told him no. He brought beer and gin with him anyway. I decided at that point that a glass or two of beer would be OK. When I began to drink my second glass I noticed an off taste. I rushed to the restroom and sat for a while. My head began to feel heavy and I felt like I had never felt before. When I returned I told him I needed to lay down. I did not even have time to tell him to take me home before I passed out. My next memories are waking up to this man SSG XX raping me. I tried to push him off. He kept telling me I liked it and my body liked it. "NO" I said. "STOP, STOP!" I screamed as he continued. I felt so out of it I know I was trying to hit him, but I couldn't even lift my head or my back up. I next remember vomiting until I was dry heaving. I blacked out again and remember finally waking up alone. He came back within a few minutes of me waking up. I asked him where he had been. He said he was warming up the car to get back for PT formation. He was going to leave me there and come back later. No WAY! I made him take me back to the barracks.
Consequently, I missed PT formation and every other formation that day. I had immediately showered and climbed into bed when I returned. I slept all day. He came into my room that afternoon and asked me when I was going to get up. I told him,"whenever I damned well pleased." I was never counseled for missing formations. I decided not to report the RAPE because I felt responsible. I buried the RAPE deep inside myself. I got married and divorced within the same year. My second relationship since the RAPE has also failed. I was diagnosed with PTSD and Clinical Depression. My life has totally changed since the RAPE. I left the Army on 26 Mar 1996, three days before my promotion to E-5. My success in the Army was overshadowed and haunted by the real system, the one set up to silence victims and keep the military's image sparkling clean.
It is time for me to address the MILITARY PROBLEM OF INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR. I reported my RAPE in Oct 96. It is currently between the Article 32 hearing and an Arraignment hearing. I am disgusted at the attention being placed on Aberdeen where 44 complaints were filed. Citizens should be outraged when they hear that over 6500 calls were placed to the National Hotline 950 of which ere deemed necessary of further investigation. WHY AREN'T THE 906 CALLS BEING INVESTIGATED ALL OVER THE WORLD REPORTED ON DAILY??????? The problem is not just at Aberdeen. It is WORLDWIDE. If the Military continues to attack the problem from the bottom, Victims will continue to get **** on. This is an organizational problem that needs to be attacked form the leadership on down. Make examples of the higher ranking officials who ARE NOT addressing the issue right beneath their noses.
COME ON America. Look at what we are allowing the media to do to us. By reporting the problem in a narrow-minded fashion they are assisting in keeping the image of the military sparkling clean. IT IS NOT!!!
Get involved in S.T.A.M.P. (Survivors Take Action Against Abuse By Military Personnel) at http://www.libertynet.org/ccco/takeaction/stamp/stampalert.html
Stop accepting the trash thrown at us by the military AND the media. Victims deserve to be treated fairly and respectfully.
I welcome any respectful responses.
Posted: 10 Apr 97:
I was raped by an active duty warrant officer in 1991. Four years prior to the rape, I was this man's platoon leader. I found out this week that the Army judge who awarded punishment decided a Letter of Reprimand was appropriate punishment for rape. I am filled with disbelief, shock, and feelings of betrayal. I feel as though the Army as an institution has let me down in a grievous way. I do not know what I expected, but it was not a piece of paper in a personnel file which will prevent a potential promotion before he retires in two years." When I spoke with a counselor familiar with military "justice" she was not at all surprised that a letter of reprimand "was it". She said she hears it over again and again from women of all services. This further wounds and creates even more trauma for me. Can any one explain the thought process behind punishing rape (a felony offense) with a letter of reprimand?
Posted: 10 Apr 97:
I completely agree that women especially must be able to perceive the difference between whining and legitimate complaints. The civilian world is no less susceptible to sexual harassment and, sadly, it doesn't really matter what profession you're in or whether you are in the military. The most important thing in your post is a) reporting things when they happen and b) calling attention to them the moment they occur. The pre-emptive strike--as we like to call it--is a common tactic among male superiors. If you don't have any official follow-up after you confront the person harassing you, they give you bad evaluations, knowing that your claim of harassment after the fact will be perceived as false and in retaliation for the bad evaluation. Then you get lumped into this class of people whom we find so easy to berate here.
Posted: 8 Apr 97: Sexual Harassment/Discrimination
I have been in the Air Force for seven years. My first assignment was at an airborne unit which consisted of mostly men. I learned many lessons there, but one stood out: however unfair, women have to work harder and develop "thick skin" to earn respect and a comfortable place in the male-dominated military. I am certainly not condoning harassment or any other kind of discrimination, however the military is no place for whiners, male or female.
Many women find it difficult to get along with other women, maybe due to our competitive natures. As a minority in the armed services (the minority, with possibly the exception of homosexuals), women need to learn to stick together-to back each other up. Every military woman will suffer some form of discrimination in her career because of her sex, and many will also be harassed. It may not always be obvious, but it's there. For example, most successful military women have earned the respect of their peers by consistently exceeding performance standards (i.e. working longer hours, maintaining a sharp uniform, and essentially becoming "the best" at their jobs). Realistically, even though many do, men don't have to work that hard to fit in. That's discrimination, like it or not. The sad thing is, some women make the rest of us look bad by whining and manipulating male supervisors to get out of work. It's women like that, and those who cry "harassment" or "discrimination" at the drop of a hat, who make things even worse for others who work hard and have legitimate complaints.
Regarding harassment: In my unit, I was a witness in a case involving a male E-7 section chief who was making suggestive comments and lewd propositions to a female E-1 subordinate. The female was 17 years old and directly out of basic training (where E-4s are called "sir" and "ma'am") and was totally intimidated by her section chief's rank. She had no idea (problem #1-education) he had no right to treat her that way. Fortunately she mentioned it to a female E-5, who took the matter to the First Sergeant. There was a comprehensive investigation where many women (including myself) testified to hearing similar, but not nearly as offensive remarks from the man. The unit commander rewarded the E-7 for his behavior by allowing him to retire quietly with no recourse for his actions (problem #2-setting the standard). Afterward, the commander and the "victim" were at a newcomer's breakfast where the commander addressed the issue of sexual harassment in the unit. He then turned to the E-1 and said "Jane, you were involved with that, how do you think we handled it?" (problem #3- confidentiality/lack of trust in leadership) She looked like she was about to cry, and I spoke up and said "Sir, I was involved in that too, I think it was handled like hell because the perpetrator wasn't punished and confidentiality wasn't maintained." Of course, it didn't take long for word to get around about the commander's comments either. No woman in her right mind would make a complaint after that mess. The E-1 had to remain in her section until she PCS'd a year and a half later, which I'm sure was one of the happiest days of her life. The retaliation she suffered in that section was unbelievable, the problem being there was no way to prove it. (problem #4-the harassment continued/no follow-up) The thing is, after all that, I was sure I knew how to handle sexual harassment...until it happened to me.
My story is not nearly as devastating as some I've read, but it was certainly dismaying and frustrating. I was TDY with three other individuals (all men) where we had to wear civilian clothes. The senior ranking man in our group was our liaison with our unit and in charge of handling any administrative matters for us. All of us were friends and I was happy to be TDY with such a cool group of guys. The senior ranking guy worked with me in one location in the city, and the other two worked at another site. I noticed the guy was always standing very close to me, especially when we were in the work area, so I would try to move away from him and regain my space. Then one day his hand brushed against my behind. I thought I imagined it because he was standing so close to me all the time, so I blew it off. Then it happened again. And again, I thought "it was an accident, he wouldn't do that to me." Then his hand very noticeably brushed against my breast, and in that same day against my behind at least twice more. By this time, I had it figured out. It was no longer conceivable the touches were accidents, and regardless, they made me uncomfortable and angry. That evening, the guy showed up at my room, unannounced, to ask me to attend a party with him. I said no, that I was in no mood to party and planned to go to bed soon. Then I told him we needed to talk. I told him I wasn't accusing him of anything, but his hand HAD brushed against my behind several times, and it made me uncomfortable. I asked him to make an effort to ensure it never happen again. He simply said "OK," and repeated his invitation to the party. I declined and told him I'd see him later. Before I confronted this guy, I had confided in a female civilian employee of the agency I was working for. She offered to take up the issue with her chain of command, but I felt it was my unit's problem, not one of that agency nor the Army task force we were deployed to. I notified my First Sergeant and chain of command of the problem, but since I had been transferred to a different location than the guy, I didn't feel there would be more problems. I told the First Sergeant I intended to pursue it further when I returned from the tour. That's when the unit began receiving false, unfavorable reports about me from this NCO, including allegations of falsifying travel vouchers, dereliction of duty, and other serious offenses. He additionally told our unit point-of-contact I was planning to accuse all three men there of sexual harassment and that I accused him of a bunch of things while standing at my door in a "flimsy nightie" (I was wearing a T-shirt and jeans, and did not even own such a nightie). I did not find out about the allegations until I arrived home and discussed the harassment with my First Sergeant. The First Sergeant initiated an investigation into the harassment, and personally concluded my claims were merely a result of the allegations made against me-an attempt to take the attention away from my own misconduct. I invited him (begged him, actually) to investigate me, to try to prove those charges so he would see that I was not the one desperate to divert attention from myself. I had outstanding letters of appreciation for my work from the agency, claimed less expenses on my voucher than any of the others, as well as provided well-maintained mileage charts to prove my point. No dice, the unit wanted the matter resolved, even though it took over three months after my return for the First Sergeant to gather statements (a total of 6 months after the actual events). The First Sergeant found the evidence inconclusive (his word against mine), and closed the investigation. He then attempted to conceal his findings (people's statements, etc.) from me by telling me the legal office said I couldn't have access to the reports. The only thing that happened in my favor, is the commander (a new one) overruled him and allowed me to review the case. I found it to be incomplete, and said as much to the commander, who told me he agreed. He added, though, that is WAS ultimately my word against the guy's and there wasn't anything he could do but warn the guy that SOMEthing about his behavior made me uncomfortable, and that he needed to change it. In essence, nothing happened to the guy. I found out later another young woman had the same sort of problem with him, but did not want to get involved.
The moral of this long story is not to discourage women from coming forward, because that is the last thing I want to do. The important thing is when you are harassed, be smart about the way you handle things. As some of you said, the men who do these things are sneaky, and usually do them covertly. That's why they don't get caught. In retrospect, I could have done several things better. First, I should have stopped it the first time whether I thought it was intentional or not. It made me uncomfortable the first time, so I should have pointed it out then. I think neglecting to do that encouraged him. The second thing I could have done is pointed it out in front of someone. I could have shouted something out ("quit touching me!" or "get your hands off me!") loud enough so others could overhear. I should have confronted him in front of our mission supervisor, or another ranking, impartial witness. And, lastly, I should have reported it right away. My desire not to air my unit's dirty laundry while TDY to another service and a civilian agency was subject to intense scrutiny when compared to waiting three months to file a complaint (when I returned), and contributed to weak witness reports due to the delay in making statements.
Sexual harassment can be controlled with comprehensive education and strict enforcement of the "zero tolerance" policy. Harassed women who do not file complaints hurt legitimate complaints almost as much as those who file false ones. If you are being harassed, or know someone who is, help yourself and them by confronting the individual and notifying your chain of command. You may not be that person's first or last victim.
Posted 25 Mar 97: Reply to 21 March
This will be my last time addressing the racism issue on a Harassment Issue site also, but I have to reply to 21 March's posting. The individual suggested that I should be more cautious henceforth from "making jokes about a culture's historical past". It was never a joke, it was made in innocence. My point was addressing the issue that some people are too sensitive! Having to constantly worry about every word spoken, who you talk to and historical pasts take time away from accomplishing the mission. One can only research so many cultures, their histories, languages etc. in one lifetime, so when an accident is committed, I'm merely saying that I'm tired of people going overboard. I'm Slovak, my people were treated horribly in the old country before they left, and were treated no better here. I hear Polish jokes, and other comments based on race and I just ignore the problem, consider the source and go do my military job. I don't have time for people who get bent out of shape over a word. Get over it already. Sometimes I think the military is spending too much time and too much money trying to placate people who whine, women who want to breastfeed and cry "What about me? Look at how I feel?" What on earth do you think you're doing? Your country must come first, so you should do your duty. Also, if you are dedicated to your duty and country first, what on earth are you going to do if you get the terrible experience of being a POW? Do you think your captors are going to care about your race? Believe me, your chances of them being sensitive are slim, they will not care about words or feelings, get over it. The mission comes first, especially in this age of reduced forces, where we are forced to work more with less. I'm quite sure that many feel terrible and second guess allowing women into the military at all and as a female I must say it is a shame that so many women are making a bad name for those of us who focus solely on the mission, as we swore to do the day we raised our right hand before the flag. Sticks and stones may break one's bones but names can never hurt you. The United States military is based on teamwork to accomplish all of the goals you swore to uphold and protect. People crying "Pity me" break down that cohesion. You can't be a team if you have to sit there and look at a potential team mate and worry about what to say around him or her. Anybody who joins or is thinking about joining the military should take a good hard look in the mirror. Are you joining primarily for selfish reasons? (i.e. education, travel) Stay Out! Only those who join to protect and serve our country are welcome! We need quality forces to accomplish that mission. The military is not a job it is a lifestyle dedicated to others who are willing to give their lives to uphold certain principles our country believes in and it is designed to protect the safety of those living in the United States. It is not here for your comfort or pleasure. Selflessness never is pleasurable or comfortable all of the time. Look to your veterans of all wars, all races, religions and sexes, what came first? Especially those who gave their lives? I do not hear "My feelings" coming from their honored graves, I hear selflessness, dedication to duty and country, so that we can sit here and argue in complete freedom, without fear of death or otherwise. Stop and think about what true freedom and selflessness is about. 21 March, I salute you and your opinion and will faithfully and eternally do my best as a human being and military member to protect your chance to live free and express your opinion. If you are a colleague, may your career be free from harassment and insensitivity and hatred and all else that would cause you pain, but always consider the fact that some people are ignorant (innocently or otherwise), some people are hateful, and some people are just plain evil, however you're not going to change them all. I still care about all of God's creation equally, no matter about race, opinion or otherwise. I believe that peace can only come from selflessness and patience. God be with you.
Posted 21 Mar 97: Serious Issues Raised Between Feb. 14 and Mar. 17
I promise, this is the last time I will submit a post on this issue. I hate to continue this digression onto race--particularly since I asked that race be taken out of the discussion on sexual harassment--but I think it is so important to give an intelligent, reasoned explanation when members of the majority do not understand why certain comments or situations are perceived as racist. Why is it in any way significant to "point out" a purported "fact"--for which we have yet to see any documentation--that "most" of false claims are made by minority women? The writer of that post is saying that minority women who he believes are inferior or incompetent, lie about certain situations when "things don't go their way" to make up for their inferiority. Otherwise, why would he need to distinguish between white women and minority women? As for the Airman whose comment about "slaving away in the hot sun" was perceived as racist, be careful. No, I don't believe the comment was part of some evil intent on your part or that it warranted disciplinary action, but we live in an era where people expect a certain sensitivity level and yes, I did read your earlier post. I hope your experience made you more aware of the need to stop and think before you make jokes out of very real, very painful aspects of a particular culture's historical past. Back to Sexual Harassment... I also hope that the recent development in the Army Sex Scandal (four white female soldiers have dutifully come forward to admit they were forced to lie about being raped when they admitted to having consensual sex with black soldiers) has bolstered some of what I've been saying about the dangers of injecting race into the issue of Sexual Harassment. Improper conduct is no more acceptable than rape, but they are certainly not the same thing.
Posted 17 Mar 97: Response to the 6 March Response to the 14 Feb Posting:
I must respond to this posting because I feel the need to clarify that not all people claim that the majority of sexual harassment cases are race based. I have been responding to Feb 14 (the other Mar 6 posting if you read it). I feel it is not the "majority" however, these cases do happen, and to point it out is far from being racist. As a matter of fact, it is no more racist than pointing out that commanders often do not do their job. I am really tired of people seeing one word and jumping all out of shape. I know this is another issue and really don't want to focus on it, because I feel it's an issue that, sadly, will never be resolved as long as there is so much hatred on both sides of the race issue. As a young airman who had come from a family with weird ideas about race, I felt I had an open mind and resented racism and respected all with whom I came in contact with in my military career. I dated white and African-American men, my NCOIC, who was black, was a gentle father figure to me and I called him "dad" off duty. I never considered myself racist because I never saw color, honestly. I got a rude awakening one day when a group of Reserve members came through our active-duty unit and jumped on an innocent word, taken out of context by the group, when I jauntily bounced in the room and mentioned how hard I'd noticed they were working by saying "they've been slaving all day on the job in the hot sun". It was mentioned because I'd wanted to commiserate with them, since I'd been doing the same and proceeded to congratulate them on being a hard working unit.(Not all units are excellent examples of AF quality but this one was). The next thing I knew, I was in my NCOIC's office (yes the guy I called DAD) being told that I'd been reported for making a racist comment. I almost cried, but military bearing kept me upright. My NCOIC understood who I am and told me he had to follow up on the claim as a formality, just in case, and was comforted to know that I meant no harm. I walked away from that meeting hurt, with greater respect for his decision to follow up and the need to address the issue, and respected him even more for doing it, but those who claimed that I was racist because of one word, bit deeply. My naiveté about people died a horrible death when I found out that if you try to be a loving person to everyone, not everyone is going to be at least courteous back. How can one word shake the earth so hard? I still respect and honor all who come into contact with me, but I now tread on eggshells, terrified of speaking to anyone for fear I may offend someone. What ever happened to the childhood sing-song "Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words shall never hurt me?" I guess that's dead with childhood. But whoever reads this I hope will develop some sensitivity to those who are super-sensitive and those who are super-sensitive need to stop getting bent out of shape over words. I am aware that there are horrible people out there who are haters of everything, but cut the rest of us some slack please? Racism is not the main issue being addressed on this page, facts and opinions about some cases are. Thank you.
Posted 17 Mar 97: In Response to the 14 Feb Posting:
In response to the letter written on 14 February, what you said is not correct. Minority woman do NOT make up enough of the armed services to be able to make this kind of mess. The problem is the military is not used to having women in the force and some men, note I said some not all, and not even most because there are some very good one's out there, are just plain pigs. As far as it being just minority woman or airman, which I happen to be both, is not correct either. I know women that know how to abuse the system, just like I know men that know how to use it to get what they want. Race has nothing to do with that. I agree, if someone is hollering sexual harassment about a conversation she had no right to be in, then I believe that she should sit down and shut up. But if there is touching or feeling or comments directed at her then I think she has all the right in the world. The reason why all this us coming out now is because it has been going on too long and it blew up in those people's face that thought that woman should be manhandled for their pleasure. As with anything right, some not so good people have jumped on the bandwagon and used it to their benefit. It is not all minority woman or even a majority of minority woman that are making these complaints. Before you ever made that statement you should have went over to your social actions office and got a breakdown of races that are complaining. Ignorance is plentiful, and in this arena it needs to be eliminated. That comes from education. Blaming each other or a particular race doesn't help anything but all it does is make people mad. You cannot blame minorities for the problems with sexual harassment in the military because it is not true. There is bad people in every race and using one gender or one race to blame it on doesn't do anything but cause tension. My shop consists of twelve men and me. I've never had a problem with them treating me as I was different, only thing that has happened is that I have twelve fathers to answer to if I make a mistake. I have been Airman of the Quarter several times and these same men are the one's that nominated me. I also was put up for Below-the-Zone Senior Airman and I happen to come form both groups that you say is the problem and I for one can say I have NEVER claimed to be sexually harassed by anyone.
Posted 8 Mar 97: Questions about EEO Counseling
Hello, My name is Srintra. I came from Thailand. I am
graduated student of Broadcasting and Cinematic Arts at Central
Michigan University. I am taking Advanced Broadcasting News
class. I am interested in news reporting about Sexual Harassment
in Military. I found a lot of information from Military Woman
home page. However, I still need more information about this
topic. I have some questions which can be seen as following:
1. What [does] the EEO Counseling normally do?
2. Are there EEO Counseling Agencies in Michigan? If yes, Where
are they? (I need to meet people who work as EEO Counselors and
interview them.)
Please reply to me via my e-mail address: 3zguvhy@cmuvm.cvs.cmich.edu
Posted 6 Mar 97: "Let's take race out of this"
This harassment issue is extremely serious, on several fronts. Having read through all of the posts, I was a little struck by some of the posts which made much of the allegation that many of these sex offenders are black men raping white women. This is exceptionally dangerous territory, and I think the race of the victims or the attackers has no place in the discussion. These people are all human beings, who should not rape or hurt others and who should not be raped or hurt by others. Black or white. Doesn't matter. I know this comment will be inflammatory, but it really does not help the case for sexual harassment to focus on race, because there is a historical precedent for white women lying about being raped by black men. This is real, not an imagined danger. These lies were told to protect white men who engaged in domestic violence against their wives and girlfriends, to protect the pristine reputation of white women who engaged in consensual sex with black men and sometimes to exact revenge on black men who refused white women. These men were lynched--hung and beaten like dogs, forced to inflict horrible torture on themselves. To say that the military should not take extensive measures to guard against this danger is merely an impossible solution. Many of the racist attitudes that fostered the belief that black men were sex-crazed maniacs who craved white women are just as prevalent today as they were 30-40 years ago. It is a source of tension not easily resolved. There are no easy answers. But please, let us elevate the topic to the important level: Inappropriate conduct is inappropriate conduct. A person's race or sex does not excuse or condemn him or her--and it never should.
Posted 6 Mar 97: In response to the February 14 posting
Today was the first time that I selected this topic from the web page, and I'm glad I did. I had really been following the women in combat issue, but I now see that there is just as much--if not more--controversy on the harassment issue. First of all, to respond to a posting that encourages women not to make frivolous claims of sexual harassment by replying that most of the women who make frivolous claims are minority women making EOT complaints is not only sexist, but racist as well. The military is a mirror reflection of society, and a lot of society's problems are magnified by the close association element of the military. A lot of times, when things don't go "their way," for minorities, it is because they are minorities. That is a fact. People may do it consciously or unconsciously, but they do it all the time. Sure, the powers that be can make all kinds of false justifications, but there is a lot of evidence and precedence for the notion that minorities are treated unfairly. The same goes for women. You go on to talk about sexual favors being used to advance careers and how women sleep around to get certain "benefits." I don't condone this behavior by any means, but I think you ought to think about how many of those women were probably told that they would never advance their careers if they didn't provide sexual favors. Get your bigoted head out of the sand and look at the real problems going on. Face them. And stop trying to pretend it's the fault of those who are most disadvantaged by discrimination.
Posted 6 Mar 97:
REPLY TO 14 FEB 97, Who replied to my 13 Feb entry on Sexual Harassment
I must agree with you on your point, mentioning that commanders aren't doing their jobs, because they are not. I witnessed a shameful act of a CMSgt who was, unbeknownst to his victims, a predator of young female airmen who were mentally unstable and lonely too. He'd sleep with them and then treat them horribly (hold on, I know what you're thinking, I'm not done) and one unstable girl tried to commit suicide before it came to the attention of the AFOSI. He was allowed to retire early with only the loss of one filthy stripe, thereby maintaining his retirement pay of Chief. Now, it is the fault of many to allow such unstable women in the military and it was the fault of some of the woman to allow themselves to get into the situation. The issue I'm addressing deals with the cover-up of the whole issue as it relates to an article done in the AIR FORCE TIMES (Feb issue). One person interviewed smugly stated that the Air Force has not suffered the moral problems that the other branches of the military have (Tailhook, DI rapes etc.), because we're better. Bull, they're just better at covering the whole mess up. And I also agree with you on the fact that some minority women manipulate the system because I've personally witnessed a female's attempt to cover up her attempt at an unmentionable medical procedure using the harassment cry. In the process she nearly destroyed an NCOIC's career, his family and other people. She did not succeed, thankfully. Women who wish to go into the military need to take a good hard look in the mirror and ask yourself, truly, can you handle just about any worst-case scenario dealing with working in a military environment? Open your eyes, read, research, and then I don't want to hear you say, "Well, I didn't know." We're here telling you now, don't just trust the media to be able to tell you the whole story, because if you do, you're being lead by the nose-ring like a bull. Know that there are cover-ups and go in with both eyes open. If you can handle it, I salute you and full speed ahead, if you can't, get the heck out of the way.
Posted 6 Mar 97: "Don't Bother Me"
1978, in the Army, at Ft. Rucker, AL
I was 25 and in the Army at the time. Had been previously in the USMC and had a 5 yr. old son.
I was not a "newbie" as the rest of the females in the barracks - straight out of AIT. It happened that I was wearing a jump suit and the acting first sergeant came up to me followed by the other TAC SGTs. He asked me lewdly " What if I were to pull this down? (Referring to the zipper). I replied "I'll slap you silly!" His fellow TAC SGTs burst out laughing at him.
I never had any more problems with him or any other men. I stood my ground and had an attitude of "don't bother me." I wish I could say the same about the other "newbies"
Posted 2 Mar 97: Sexual trauma
Those of us who have endured the pain of sexual assault while serving in any of the armed forces, know that it has been going on for decades. Now we have Aberdeen and the general public is under the impression that this is all new. You can go back one hour, one day, one week, one, five, ten, twenty....years and you will discover that sexual assault runs rampage in our armed forces. I'm a survivor of a brutal assault that occurred on 9 April 1977 at Ft. Bragg, NC. I was asleep in my room in the barracks when this unknown male entered my room and raped me. I was twenty years old at the time. Now I'm 40 and I have spent 20 years suffering from depression, anxiety and am battling PTSD. It was only last year that I finally became aware of the VA's sexual trauma treatment program.
What I would like to do is collect the testimonies of women veterans who experienced sexual trauma. I want to compile our stories into a book. Scattered testimonies will soon be forgotten. We need to have this in print! Please email me if you are interested in sharing your story.
Thank you
Stephanie (e-mail: SVisser56@aol.com)
I'm also looking for a friend who helped me cope after the ordeal. We lost touch in the early 1980's. Her name is Katie Waring. I want and need to find you Katie.
Posted 14 Feb 97: Sexual Harassment (reply to 13 Feb 97 post)
In reply to 13 Feb 97. I agree. Well, I agree in whole but disagree in part. Any person who takes advantage of another person sexually, or in any other way that violates the UCMJ should be prosecuted. However, there are too many women out there who know just how to manipulate the system to get what they want. Unfortunately, it has been my experience that some women who whine and scream sexual harassment when things just don't go their way happen to be minority women. I don't care what any minority may think, but, the perception of the EOT programs throughout the military is that it is a program established as a whining post for minorities. All you have to do is mention an EOT complaint, and you have male first shirts and commanders donning skirts. Although, I'm sure there are majority women who have become wise in manipulating others and the system to get what they want. Women have come so far in fighting inequality only to have it torn to shreds by females who want to get even. I disagree with the author of 13 Feb 97 regarding shirts and commanders. Because, when shirts and commanders are more fearful of an EOT complaint and choose rather to don a skirt than do their job, well, in my opinion, they have no place in the military. As a result of the way first shirts, commanders, IGs, and all the way up to the top, have handled complaints, they have now created an environment in the military departments where anyone can be accused of any crime without any evidence. I think that the people in the military are more rapidly losing their confidence in commanders and the military department officials as a result of the way they have allowed, and turned their heads, to how complaints have been handled. We have airmen now in the AF who know that if they don't want to do something or be held responsible for something, all they have to do is utter "sexual harassment". Don't tell me our commanders and military department officials are doing their jobs. I know otherwise, as so does the rest of the world now, since the Chief of Staff of the Army covered up for McKinney. Don't tell me the problem exists only out in the field departments. It starts at the top. If military members can't look to their leadership at the Pentagon to ensure things are handled properly, well, who do we have? The only people who can make changes are the military members who are tired of this "buddy protect buddy" system that the military departments have going on. As far as your web page. Its okay. However, the information you print is flowery and more often than not, just down right politically correct. Most often I see in the replies and comments that your web page provides to women who are contemplating service in the military that the military is just some "be all that you can be place" because you water down the subjects and censor replies. There are real struggles out here encountered by real men and women. And we have not one person in a leadership position in the military departments who have any backbone to change things. All because of publicity. Even in basic training we have this "time-out" thing going on. Time out. Get real. If these men and women can't handle it, then they need to be denied enlistment or kicked out. The military needs men and women who are willing to defend their Country and do what it takes to get the job done. And I don't mean sleep around to get the special favors. Although, those who sleep around and are reaping benefits by it, are probably doing so with command leadership. Military members deserve strong leadership personnel. Not individuals who look out only for their careers for the sake of avoiding a public bruising or covering up for a friend. Military members need to stop selling themselves short and start making changes instead of sitting behind their desks complaining about what they see going on. Things don't change unless YOU take an active part and change them to make things better for yourself and for all of the ones who are going to come after you! For instance, your son or daughter.
Posted 13 Feb 97: Women in the Military and Their Reactions to Sexual Harassment
The first topic I'd like to cover is a hot button issue in the military, sexual harassment. I agree that some forms of sexual harassment, for example rape, touching and excessive lewd comments, are horrible and the people who commit such offensive acts should be prosecuted under the UCMJ to the fullest extent. However, there are some women out there who whine too much about ridiculous topics, such as walking past a male's desk and seeing that he has a porno mag in it or whining because men sit around and talk about sex or use certain types of language. Granted there is a lot of gray area in this, but any woman who cannot handle a little bit of idiocy on the part of men, do NOT belong in the military. Some women have made a bad name for others by whining about ridiculous activities and lumping them under sexual harassment. I say, "Quit wasting your first-shirt's time about the dumb stuff or get out! There are real sexual harassment cases going on out there that need prosecution. If you can't handle a man's(or woman's) use of foul language, or the fact that they talk about something, you don't belong because wherever you go in the world, sweetheart, you're going to encounter small, piddly things like this." Equality for women is not really different from equality for humanity. Every person on this earth needs to educate themselves about the different religions, languages, customs and cultures. Quit blaming the military and its commanders for individual prejudices and ignorances. The military has the regulations, has provided us women with opportunities. What's your problem?
Posted 7 Feb 97: Sexual Trauma Hotline:
The VA is reminding women veterans who have
experienced sexual trauma in the military that
information on counseling, care and services is available by
calling the VA's toll-free number,
1 800 827-1000.
Callers seeking help are routed to women veteran coordinators at the nearest VA medical center or regional office who can refer them to VA medical centers or Readjustment Counseling Service Veterans Outreach Centers (Vet Centers).
Legislation signed in 1992 authorized the VA to provide counseling on a priority basis for eligible women veterans to overcome psychological trauma resulting from sexual assault, battery or harassment while on active duty. That authority recently was made gender-neutral to allow the VA to counsel male and female veterans.
Q. How long does VA have authority to provide counseling and treatment for sexual trauma under the Women Veterans Health Programs Act of 1992, as amended by the Veterans Health Programs Extension Act of 1994?
A. VA may provide counseling and treatment for sexual trauma through December 1998.
Q. Is a woman veteran eligible to receive care for sexual trauma although it was never reported when it occurred?
A. Yes. To be eligible to receive counseling and treatment for sexual trauma from VA, there is no requirement that a woman veteran must have reported the sexual trauma when it occurred or at any time during her active military service.
Q. Can a woman veteran who experienced sexual trauma while serving on active duty qualify for disability compensation?
A. VA must pay compensation to a woman veteran for disabilities incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, including disabilities or injuries resulting from sexual trauma. A Veterans Benefits Counselor at a VA medical center or regional office can explain thecompensation program in greater detail and assist in filing a claim. The number for the regional office is 1-800-827-1000 or your local county service officer can assist you.
Article Brought to you as a service by:
Willie Dougherty webmaster@vvoa.com
The Veterans Voice of Austin
http://www.vvoa.com
POWs Bring 'EM Home or send us Back!
Posted 28 Jan 97: Sexual Harassment & Assault of Women in the Military
The recent reports of sexual assault & sexual harassment of military women have deeply saddened me. This is not a new problem. I served for 22 years in the military and am very proud of my service. Many times it was a struggle to continue because of the mistreatment of both myself & other women by male soldiers.
Over the years I learned that women in the military who report harassment or sexual assault become the guilty party. Most women don't report such crimes because they fear no one will believe them or it will ruin their military career. Women who make reports are considered trouble-makers. In most cases a woman making an allegation is sent for a psychiatric evaluation. I wonder how many male crime victims in the military are sent for a psychiatric evaluation because they reported a crime. Most men in the military are honorable people who work hard to serve their country and would never harm a woman. But when a woman makes accusations that bring dishonor to the military, these same men immediately start investigating the past of the woman. They try to find a way to make her the cause of the crime she is reporting.
These problems are not limited to trainees. I know of women who have had a soldier put his hand down her blouse, one who put his hand up a woman's skirt and rubbed her thigh, a military man who grabbed a woman between her legs, another pulled a woman close to his body and held her against him, one man took a woman into a supply closet and fondled her, and another grabbed a woman and pulled her into the man's lap and held her there. All of these events were non-consentual, unsolicited by the military women, and done while both parties were in uniform and on duty. In each case the man was of a superior rank to the woman. One was a Lieutenant Colonel who was a Battalion Executive Officer, another was a Major who was a Station Commander, and yet another was the Command Sergeant Major of a Brigade. None of these incidents occurred in a training environment and none of the men were drill sergeants. None of these men were of a racial minority. These events did not occur in a barracks or out in the field but in a normal working environment. None of these incidents were reported due to fear. Military women have all heard the stories about the poor treatment they receive after reporting something like this. In some cases other men witnessed these assaults & they neither said nor did anything. Military women know that when they report a sexual crime, even as serious as rape, that the odds are the man won't be charged & courts martialed. In the few cases that are addressed at all, the man is almost always just transferred.
I am sure there are tens of thousands of present & former military women who have been victimized by men in the military. It leaves you feeling like you've done something wrong or it never would have happened. Some women give up on the military as a career. Others stay but they are always looking out for themselves. You try to never get in a position alone with a man who you aren't sure you can trust. Sometimes you have no choice with whom you will be working or training.
I think the public is currently outraged at what they have been reading in the news about Aberdeen, Ft Leonard Wood, Lackland AFB, Ft Sam Houston, etc. I hope this will turn into some positive changes for the military. I am concerned that the military will charge & convict a few men as examples but will not change the system that permitted these things to occur.
I read a letter to the editor from a man who said these things wouldn't happen if the government would just keep women out of the military. That is like saying woman are the cause of rape. The old she asked for it mentality. I wonder what the military would do if a soldier harassed or assaulted the post commander's daughter. I bet she wouldn't be sent to a psychiatrist and accused of lying. I am sure he would be charged and convicted.
We can't undo what has been done but we can change it for present & future military women. All of us need to ask Congress to implement changes in the current system of military justice.
Posted 28 Jan 97: U.S. Army's Long Legacy of Shame: RAPE
In the mid 1970's, with the war in Vietnam drawing to a close, the new all volunteer Army emerged. I can remember the shiny brochures tacked to high school hallway bulletin boards featuring a smiling young lady sitting on a neatly made bed with the caption, "Serve your country, see the world, learn a trade, earn your GI Bill for college.....Not a hard sell for those of us, in the lower middle class level of American society who desperately wanted to break away from the dead end road of our small decaying urban landscapes.
I was a kid from New Jersey who at the age of seventeen dreamed of traveling the world. The Army brochures caught my eye and I thought at the time, was my salvation. And so on 20 May 1975, the recruiter beeped his horn loudly and I was whisked away into this brand new world. On the way to the airport, I noticed that his eyes were surveying my body. I was so uncomfortable riding with him. He dropped me off at the first intake station and that was the last I saw of him.
Basic training was all that it promised to be. No Aberdeen incidents whatsoever. But it was after basic training that I experienced a steady onslaught of sexual harassment not only from men but from women as well! I had to build a very heavy protective shell around myself to withstand the endless barrage of crude comments that were directed towards me. It was not uncommon to be walking down the company street towards ones barracks only to hear men shouting from their barracks windows, "Hey lady,,I want a piece of your ass." The majority of these comments came from black soldiers. I was stationed at Ft. Bragg, N.C. for nearly 18 months when I came down on orders for an overseas assignment. I was overjoyed as I was going to be leaving this hell hole! But I was not to leave without one grand finale,,the ultimate humiliation ....45-60 minutes of sheer terror.
On 9 April 1977, while asleep in my room in the barracks, an unknown black male entered my room. My first memory of realizing someone was in the room was I felt someone playing with my hair. My next memory is of a cold bony hand clasped tightly across my mouth and his whispering harshly,,,"Be quiet & you'll be OK." I immediately began to struggle, fell to the floor and tried to reach for the crack of light that streamed through my door. But to no avail. He continually beat me about the head and ears, threatened my life and got me back on the bed by wrapping a long tube sock around my throat and proceeded to strangle me. Then he pushed socks down my throat and pushed my head into the pillow. He tore off my underpants and sodomized me. He pressed his thumbs tightly into my eye sockets to stop me from screaming. He kept hitting me about the face and told me to keep quiet,,then demanded I turn over. He was making such scary animal noises...like a hyena. I don't remember anything of the rape but his face must have been close to mine because in the police report I had stated that he told me to tell him that I loved him and I complied. He warned me to keep my eyes shut. The room was very dark and he wore a stocking cap over his face. The next scene is he is getting dressed and is standing near my desk. He comes towards me, I'm sitting on the bed crying and he reaches over my head and pulls a small pair of manicuring scissors from my hair. He has trouble getting them out and I help by tearing them out of my tangle hair. It was at this point that I realized I was bleeding from the head. He told me that he had to have his scissors as they were his mark. He lingered on a while longer and told me that he had to do this to me as he knew that because I was white I would never have gone out with him. He also said he and I had met in passing a few days prior to the attack. He told me that some black chick had told him where I slept. There was a black barracks guard on duty that evening. For him to enter the barracks he had to come in through the front door and up one flight of steps! I wanted him to leave but he lingered. My door and the blinds were banging back and forth as it was a windy night. I told him he better leave because my friends might come by. He told me that I should not get up until he left and then I should scream bloody murder. As I heard his feet hit the steps going down, I got up and peaked. The last thing I saw was him leaving through the door...a vague glimpse of a thin black male leaving the building. I walked to my friend Katie's room and woke her up. I walked back to my room and turned on the light. Saw lots of socks on the floor to include a nylon stocking. I found my underpants on my bed sitting in a large round pool of blood. Blood ran down my legs. The military police were summoned and I was taken to Womack Army Hospital. I carried my underpants with me to the hospital. There I waited to be seen and the doctor who examined me was very nasty. He yelled at me once as I was beginning to feel faint. During the examination he winced. My legs were trembling and the nurse had to hold them still. I don't remember much after this except I did return to the barracks, showered and then went to the CID office for questioning. They kept asking me when I last had sex, a how many boyfriends I had etc. When I told them I didn't have any boyfriends they asked me was I gay? I remember being in so much pain and looking up at this detective and telling him that I did not sleep around, that I didn't lead my life like that. He just stared at me a walked away shaking his head. I had to view a police lineup but could not identify any of the suspects. I could have identified him through his voice but I was denied this as they told me it was against the rights of the suspects. After the line up, I left Ft. Bragg and went home on leave, then off to Europe. No counseling , no treatment,,no one to talk to. Over the years I have had many problems especially with depression, social withdrawal unknown fears & anxiety, auditory flashbacks.... Last year my husband said he wanted a separation. And it was during this loss along with coming to a new place that I began having panic attacks and started putting the chairs against the door and sleeping in my clothes, waking with the dry heaves......
Found a brochure on treatment for women veterans who experienced sexual assault and it save my life. I put in my claim in Aug 96 and was awarded 50% disability for PTSD and I'm seeing a therapist at the veteran's center who is helping me. I want to be a whole person again. I have lost almost 20 years of my life to depression. This spring a memorial dedicated to women veterans and current service members will be unveiled. Why honor us when you do nothing to protect us? After I was assaulted at Ft. Bragg, I learned that rape was a real pastime at Bragg. We were sitting ducks, we were expendable and the rapists were protected. Nineteen years later, I have the CID investigative report in my hands. Entire pages are missing and all forensic evidence was destroyed 8 months after I was raped. No conclusions, an unsolved mystery forever engrained in my memory. Somewhere out there, this person exists. How many other women did he rape? How many names on the memorial registry were victims of rape? Far more than the army would like the public to know. And now we address Aberdeen...sad and tragic state of affairs when one realizes that it has reached this level. Something has to be done. Those young women deserve nothing less.
Posted 28 Jan 97: Diary of a Harassment Investigation
I am responding to the letter by the marine who stated that it is too easy for women to now accuse men of harassment and that the military imposes guilt before proven. I can only speak for myself, but I disagree. I filed a complaint three years ago that is currently still being investigated. They have not predisposed this man to guilt, which is his right. However, I am not going to let them just sweep the things he did to me under the carpet. Yes, harassment and abuse occur, and sometimes it leaves shreds of a life in its wake. I would not want my brother, father, son charged guilty until proven, and no matter what the outcome of this case, I feel I have proven that this man did abuse his authority. As far as it being to easy to accuse someone of this vile disgusting disregard for human life, I hope no one you love will ever have to experience it. My life has been laid on a cutting board for dissection, and I welcome it. It is difficult, but far easier than to live with the reality that it happened and I did nothing to stop him from repeating the acts with someone else.
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