Rape in the Military

Date: Sun, 16 Jun 1996
From: Linda Grant De Pauw, H-MINERVA
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Subject: COMMENT: Rape in the Military

From: Gene Moser

This morning's DAILY PRESS (Newport News, Va) had a long article with the dateline of Columbia, SC by Knight-Ridder Newspapers on the rape of women military personnel by male military personnel. Estimates of victims range from 60,000 to 200,000 of a population of 1.2 million. There will be another article next Sunday. It was not buried, but took up most of page 8, with a note on the front page as to what and where the article was. A companion piece discussed the difficulty of getting the military (which as we all know is very good with facts and figures) to provide data on rape, sexual assault, or sexual pressure.
It scares me as I have often suggested to female students who weren't sure of what to do after high school graduation that the military was a great start for a civilian career.
Gene Moser

Date: Sun, 16 Jun 1996
From: Linda Grant De Pauw, H-MINERVA
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Subject: COMMENT: Rape in the Military

60,000 to 200,000 of a population of 1.2 million. It scares me as I have often suggested to female students who weren't sure of
what to do after high school graduation that the military was a great start for a civilian career.

If we take the high end of this estimate -- 200,000-- we'd have one woman in six as a rape victim. This is not much higher than the estimates I've heard about the risk to a woman during four years as a college undergraduate (one in eight, if I remember what I heard most recently.) I hope this military rape series is making comparisons with the civilian population of similar age groups and distinguishing between reported and unreported rapes so we can tell whether the military environment is better or worse. I remember many years ago a Quaker friend saying she approved of opening combat positions to enlisted women because it was they only way women most at risk of domestic abuse would learn self-defense techniques.

Linda Grant De Pauw

Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996
From: Linda Grant De Pauw, H-MINERVA
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Subject: COMMENT: Rape in the Military

From: John M. Brower

Minervaers:

Oh, I simply must make one comment on this long passage re: the unpublished article. To go through the "chain of command" in article writing is tantamount to intellectual suicide on any subject with a modicum of controversy associated with it, at least as far as the military is concerned. I've had my material over the last few month on women in Ft. Deterick's paper and the one at West Point...it is HARD to tell it like it is in a base paper and the editor MUST be a civilian and have LOTS of guts. All base papers and all papers with military funding are propaganda organs, let's get serious. It is RARE and WONDERFUL to find an editor who fights that characterization, esp. in on the question of women in the military. Ft. McNair's paper, the Pentagram, has been carrying me regularly for a year, with 9 articles and reviews specifically on women that I think are as progressive as any that have ever been in a paper that MUST be highly sensitive to, shall we say, the view in vogue with the military hierarchy at any given moment. I think the party in question should have BUSTED the chain of command using a false identity, nome de plume, whatever--or asked for anonymity--to get her word out. She shouldn't have expected her material on the rape situation to survive a military censor. And anyone who thinks they've seen esp. progressive stuff in a base paper on women pls. fax it to me at (703) 614-5520 for my collection--I give you my affidavit to eat my had if it's more forward looking than my stuff...and that goes for anything specifically published BY DACOWITS ;-)

Comradely Regards,
J. Michael Brower

Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996
From: Linda Grant De Pauw, H-MINERVA
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H-NET List for Discussion of Women & the Military and Women in War
From: Dorothy H. Mackey

As a former Captain in the Air Force who was also a commander of 300, 400 and 2200 personnel, I can categorically tell you both from professional and personal experience that when women are assaulted or raped in the military, the military powers to be don't care! Example, while stationed in Germany, a Master Sgt.. (senior supervisory tier rank of enlisted) came to me in 1989 and told me that young GI males were purposely targeting newly arriving young female GI's, to get them drunk, so that they could gang rape them. I was appalled but also went to the military prosecutor. The prosecutor was a woman, once I told her the facts, she calmly told me...alcoholis consent. She would not do anything. I suggested that with an undergraduate degree in criminal justice that I could at least write an informative article...to all parties, male and female. I covered the entire gambit, women who wrongly accused boyfriends could be prosecuted for false testimony. Covering the need to gather evidence, and the emotional devastation of the survivor. The article was "blessed" by the attorney, and copies went to all senior base officials, for their support and publication in the base paper. I was in transition to another base. A friend checked on the article, it was never published in the base paper. No one cared about the rapes of US women at the hands of US male GIs. Next, let me share some other facts....a woman was assaulted, groped, grabbed, and subjected to humiliation in front of and privately behind closed doors from 1991 to 1992 by two senior officers. She tried to find help, while keeping her career. The predators were the military complaint system.IG..even after attempting to seek not less then six different avenues of assistance it was obvious that no one would intervene to help her. The toll it took was amazing, weight loss, inability to sleep, etc. and resulted in her marriage splitting up, loss of her home, financial loss, etc. Only she thought she was aware of its effects, until one of her troops came in and stated that if she didn't leave her job "those men would kill you." She knew this fact was true, she resigned her career of 9 years, v. her life. What is most perplexing is that after service this women went to civilian police agencies, local, state and federal and they all said the same thing...sorry you were in the military, we can't help you." The point being military who gladly have sworn an oath to protect and defend the Constitution for all American's including their fellow servicemen, are not afforded the vary same rights of basic protection from the US military or police agencies, local prosecutors. I do not wish to diminish your experience, it is equally important. It is simply the military in all of it's glorious traditions and hype of the need to keep secrets under the auspices of "national security" is nothing more then keeping the secret of a national scandal, the private fact that military women in the service are perceived as the personal property to many military men, especially in the hierarchy. I state this because the story above is my story. I have had to go into civil court to get my basic rights heard. I'd even gone to the Justice Dept., 3 times. Now the same Justice Dept. is providing my predators with free counsel as we move into federal court. There is something that is to be said for all of this....and even faced with a defamation suite from one of my predator against me as a means to intimidate me into silence.....silence is the last thing I will be. I have given lectures to college classes, high school classes, and am just getting started. I encourage you, if on campus to demand to be heard too, no person deserves to be violated.

Date: Tue, 18 Jun 1996
From: Linda Grant De Pauw, H-MINERVA
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H-NET List for Discussion of Women & the Military and Women in War
Subject: COMMENT: Rape in the Military

From: J Biddle

Greetings List people!

Just a *quick* question: Is there anyone out there who was NOT harrassed, assaulted, raped, made to feel uncomfortable, subjected to sexual inuendo, or otherwise "put on the spot", while on active, reserve, or guard duty?

That question isn't just for women, I suspect that a number of men may have been subjected to forms of sexual harrassment also.

Bye for now!
Joan I. Biddle Ph.D.

Sociologist

Date: Tue, 18 Jun 1996
From: Linda Grant De Pauw, H-MINERVA
Reply-To:H-MINERVA
H-NET List for Discussion of Women & the Military and Women in War
Subject: COMMENT: Rape in the Military

From: Dorothy H. Mackey

With all due Respect, Professor and Minerva Chatters,

I Naive' is not a crime, at least it wasn't at the time, and I was naive but only because my socialization and the military taught us these steps. I admit I have had to learn various hard lessons, none quite the same, but the knocks to show for it. We American's want to believe, its a honorable system,

and we as a nation remind ourselves of the best of America all the time. But frankly, point of interest to you; if a woman in the military has any hopes of seeking justice in this country, women in the military "must" by regulations exhaust all administrative internal military options. If we do not we get no standing in the civil or federal courts and we are sent back to the military.

So, naive' is not the sole issue, the bureaucratic barriers that obstruct a survivors energies and chances to be heard are paramount to survival of the fittest after an assault, and that's before we get into court. The pity is the entire military chain and it's folderol is nothing but other means of exhausting the survivor; the questions, emotions, spinning wheels just so they can tell you they don't believe you. I did not believe in the AF when I left, because of my numerous attempts to get help from military agencies and individuals. I went to the local civilian authorities, police, sheriff and FBI since I witnessed racial discrimination towards other federal (military) personnel. I was told sorry can't help you. So, naive. Having studied Constitutional law in college let me tell you, this was a rude awaking. My own country, my rights, what rights?, I love this country but I was amazed at the parallels I saw between Communist Russia and the US. Not intended to offend anyone, but I went to Russia and studied their gov't, the closer I got to my case, the sooner I realized that I have only believed I had these rights, until I tried to assert them. I learned quickly that rights are afforded to those who can afford them.

As far as telling it like it is...I chose to tell it like it was. To do otherwise pads, distorts and does not provide the facts to ensure women their safety. Senior officers were not who I was concerned with. I am truly stunned at the billions of tax dollars we place in the military leaderships hands each year, let alone the lives of children, and the ability to destroy the earth. Yet, when it comes down to telling the fact, without watering it down, about human beings safety, no one is surprised? Ok, no not ok, doesn't that scare anyone? SO, if it not surprising why isn't the public calling DC, demanding their Congressmen take action or hold these clown accountable? As for intellectual suicide, I don't question my intellectual abilities nor will I squander them for promotion or "the cause". I must live with my integrity as a human being a lot longer then being an Air Force Officer. As recently stated by the newest AF Chief of Staff, General Fogelman...a speech of values in order of precedence..."Service, self..etc." Wait a minute...what's wrong with this picture? My oath in service was God, Constitution, Nation, Self, Service. So when did the service take lead before all else. The truth be told, it has been this way for may moons, it is just now that they are brazen enough to say it out loud, and I am brazen enough to say, "no Way."

So, find me a mountain, I'd like to think that through it all my naive' is not naive' but innocence of the truth, and some where in me I still believe in and have compassion.

P.S. There is no anonymity in the service, contrary to the word out.

Dorothy H. Mackey

Date: Tue, 18 Jun 1996
From: Linda Grant De Pauw, H-MINERVA
Reply-To:H-MINERVA
H-NET List for Discussion of Women & the Military and Women in War
Subject: COMMENT: Rape in the Military

From: John M. Brower

Minervaers:

Comradely Regards,
J. Michael Brower

Date: Tue, 18 Jun 1996
From: Linda Grant De Pauw, H-MINERVA
Reply-To:H-MINERVA
H-NET List for Discussion of Women & the Military and Women in War
Subject: COMMENT: Rape in the Military
From: Stephanie Calender

Welcome Dorothy!

I read and re-read your posting on "Minerva."

And reading your ordeal adds more shame I feel towards an organization that I had deeply loved.

I wished you could have been respected, and never had to live those experiences.

My heart goes out to you. I extend whatever support I may give to you, whatever you accept. I hope I can offer encouragement if and when you need it. You'll never hear, nor read from me to ever tell you to "drop it, move on to something else."

The majority of the public does not want to know we exist. The majority of the public may think you are obsessed with your case. I personally have heard that remark too many times. I am not obsessed with my case. And neither are you.

You are a true American. You have the pure spirit of knowing what is right and what is wrong. Yes, you carry a heavy burden of making adjustments, sacrificing, and coping while pursuing justice. Someday, your efforts will make a difference. Your contributions just might break, so to speak, the camel's back.

So, please, please never give up. Don't stop until you feel satisfied that justice pervailed. Your words of not being "silenced" serve as an inspiration to me. And you know the many females that never speak out. You have courage. And I think it will be contagious to others, in dire need, to take that first step, to write that first statement. Someday, you might actually know and feel you are appreciated.

Be wary of the VA, either your "advocate," or an "evaluator," can tell you to end your case, quit pursuing "justice." I don't think we need to hear that kind of advice.

I, too, cannot be comfortable with encouraging any high school graduate to seriously consider enlisting in the military. My pride and faith would have been cemented firmly in me, if only the Department of Army did its' job properly.

Many readers may be uncomfortable, and have difficulties understanding how I feel, not excluding others... I did not ask to become a victim. I detest the term "victim." I can only speak for myself, but it would be criminal if I told any female, any minority, including lesbians to enlist in the Army. What am I to feel proud about the Army. I am proud of myself, but my case is a battle of "friendly fire" against the military.

It would be unethical to tell a college graduate that the Army will take care of you. I am having problems with the VA. The VA tells me to get a lawyer. The VA states letter after letter that the guard won't give up my records! It means nothing to fire back an AR - "CFR48." It has no meaning. The VA has said that the racial and sexual harassment, the sexual assault I experienced in the guard is a state matter. The VA has little power over the guard...?

Doesn't AR 1034 count? Should it not be upheld? I have audio tape recordings that prove my honesty. I am resented for being innocent. I think the VA is passing the same old dollar bill around. At the same time, the guard is falsely advertising to its' recruits.

I would like to express to the readers of "Minerva," that although I cannot honestly speak with any pride about the benefits of "soldiering..." Please keep in mind that I am struggling with much effort to get the military to "practice what it preaches." I am hoping that I, too, can have some "input" to right a wrong.

I would never dispute the statistics of college students raped. I believe that those crimes occur all too often. But, newly enlisted in the military, or veteran status. I, for one, believed that we in the military, were "special." And I do not mean as in being arrogant, nor superior. We in the military, lived and worked under conditions that the civilians deem as crazy, strict, fascist, brainwashed, et cetera. Us soldiers lived a life that consisted of orders, rank and grade, physical requirements, commands, respect, uniforms, having a lot of discipline and then some...some more discipline.

When the civilian crime rate is eqivalent to that of the military. That's not a good sign. The military crime rate should be lower. To be once a part of the Army, the military, was to be above and beyond those living as civilians.

I still feel what I felt during my USAR days. I loved saving lives as a civilian. But the Army trained me to kill. The power to kill, to defend our country, and even get deployed where land mines abound, and still be in control, to be displined. No civilian, no college student, whether racist or victim, would ever "want" to stop even while pumping gasoline into his/her POV -- just to "salute."

I hope all crimes decrease, but it was good for my morale when I knew my USAR family was different, and special, set apart from the civilians. It was wonderful when I could separate myself as a civilian, and live and works in an organized, controlled environment. I loved that separation between the Army and the civilians.

I am definitely more cynical, angry, and critical of the Michigan National Guard (MING) and the National Guard Bureau (NGB). And for me that's where my problems began -- with the Michigan National Guard.

I served four (4) years with the USAR, the Army Reserves. There was a minority of racists, perverts, alcohol and drug offenders. A sergeant grabbed my breast during one drill. And during BT (basic training, my CO came up behind me, kicking my head and foot. He battered all of us, one resulting in suicide... But, military justice worked. And I went on serving productively during my four years in the USAR. I felt as if I was one of the best "ultimate weapons," and I was respected. My USAR unit felt like "family."

The guard is different. It's not the same Army. Just last night, I saw a television commercial aired about the guard. "Guardsmen," was printed across my t.v. screen. The guard still hands out recruiting brochures -- crediting "guardsmen!" Many, many officers in the upper echelon of the guard (both Michigan and the NGB) have told me that the guard needs the kind of male soldier that is sexist and racist. What the guard has and tolerates are alcoholics, perverts, incapable of keeping one's military bearing, just to name a few...

The Department of the Army oversees the NGB, and the NGB "watches" over the U.S. state guards... It seemed, it appeared its' management structure functioned.

It would have meant so much to me, and it would have been cathartic for me to have the Department of the Army hold the guard responsible for conspiring and reprising against me. Instead, many Department of the Army personnel have argued about, even denied the existance of its' agency lettered above the Michigan National Guard's return address on envelopes! It's appalling and ridiculous to hear lies and excuses.

I have no complaints about most of our laws. And I like living by certain rules. And I believed in the Army Regulations that are supposed to be upheld. But, the people in charge, the good old boys club, are not deserving of their positions, promotions, commissions, and retirement benefits.

For the most part, the Army standards, its' Code of Conduct, is a good system. It's the people in-charge, the people they like, the people they control... Any good employment system is only as good as the people employed. The decent, hard-working soldiers are the only ones in the Army losing or forced out of their military careers.

I was not allowed to have a fulfilling and rewarding career in the Michigan National Guard. The guard provided an atmosphere of "any thing goes," which was tolerated, thus denying me an unsafe working environment.

The Department of Army could have intervened, saving a heart from being broken.

I hope all of you "Minerva" readers and writers will try to be a little bit more active in our government. I, and others, cannot changed the military. I want to see better people in those positions of power. If we all do a little more this year, and next year... I would like to see improvements, and regain the pride I once felt, while encouraging the children of today to enlist tomorrow.

Thanks for taking time, a lot of your time, to read this.

I will be posting my own case that I, like Dorothy, will never give up. The Code of Conduct was my bible. And my beliefs, my love of the Army carried over to my civilian career very well. Most fire departments, as well as police departments are managed by para-military SOP's. And it suited me well. So, in the future, I hope to enlighten, and enraged some "Minerva" readers.

Stephanie Calender

Date: Tue, 18 Jun 1996
From: Linda Grant De Pauw, H-MINERVA
Reply-To:H-MINERVA
H-NET List for Discussion of Women & the Military and Women in War
Subject: COMMENT: Rape in the Military

From: Eloise C. Prendergast

Just a *quick* question: Is there anyone out there who was NOT hrrassed, assaulted, raped, made to feel uncomfortable, subjected to sexual inuendo, or otherwise "put on the spot", while on active, reserve, or guard duty? Joan Biddle

Yes.

Eloise Prendergast,
MAJ, Field Artillery

Date: Tue, 18 Jun 1996
From: Linda Grant De Pauw, H-MINERVA
Reply-To:H-MINERVA
H-NET List for Discussion of Women & the Military and Women in War
Subject: COMMENT: Rape in the Military

From: Jane Beckman

That question isn't just for women, I suspect that a number of men may have been subjected to forms of sexual harrassment also.

That raises an interesting point. I have known a couple men, over the years,

who were subjected to unwelcome sexual advances by *male* officers under whom they served. One managed to get himself transferred, before things got too uncomfortable, but another freaked when the guy came on to him, threatened him with a fire ax to keep him away from him, and got busted down in rank. (To the credit of the military, the superior officer also was disciplined, but the board of court martial chose to ignore most the allegations of overt sexual advances.) These were incidents from the late '70's. It would seem that the military had an interest in ignoring possible homosexual advances when it was a superior officer involved. And notice the power imbalance issues, that always come up in these sorts of cases. That, I think, is telling.

Jane Beckman

Date: Tue, 18 Jun 1996
From: Linda Grant De Pauw, H-MINERVA
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H-NET List for Discussion of Women & the Military and Women in War
Subject: COMMENT: Rape in the Military

From: Dorothy H. Mackey

I would greatly agree with you, it is not a gender specific issue. I had made this point many times in my career. I recognize the difficulty in standing up in an oppressive system such as the military, or the teasing we may get from current peers, but I have supported men and women facing this issue equally. A male coworker who told my harasser, the IG, of his own harassment at the hands of a female, the IG's response, he yelled at this guy, ignored him, shut him down.

Taking these guys to court scares me to death, because of the overwhelming additional invasion of my privacy I will be subjected to. But, I live with the pain daily, it has in every aspect changed my life, I deal with flashbacks, etc.. as a result of my military accostings. There is nothing that is taken as it once was, nothing is simple, care free, or merely as fun, all of that is gone as is my safety. I honestly, do understand people's hesitancy, I hesitated, and probably thought through may reasons not to go forward, but in the end, each person must handle it as they see fit. Silence for me isn't the answer either. I am not responsible for the world, but if by breaking the silence no matter who listens or who cares, if I, can spare one person the pain that I struggle through daily it is worth it. For me, there too is a selfish side, I fear living in fear as I have for 4 years, for the rest of my life. Between my faith, seeing my mentor (my mom) and my fear it is what gives me the strength to speak out. No one should or must accepting harassment or being accosted. Staying silent is not going to stop it. Being a human being, male or female perpetrated against is not a weakness. Being a survivor takes courage, and strength, any step, every step is a bonus, and when I feel like I can't go on, that's ok too. Tomorrow is a new day, with more steps to take.

That's all for now.
Dorothy H. Mackey

Date: Wed, 19 Jun 1996
From: Linda Grant De Pauw, H-MINERVA
Reply-To:H-MINERVA
H-NET List for Discussion of Women & the Military and Women in War

From: J Biddle

Greetings List people!

That question isn't just for women, I suspect that a number of men may have been subjected to forms of sexual harrassment also.

Date: Wed, 19 Jun 1996
From: Linda Grant De Pauw, H-MINERVA
Reply-To:H-MINERVA
H-NET List for Discussion of Women & the Military and Women in War
Subject: COMMENT: Rape in the Military

From: Val Eads

Eloise, what planet do you live on? I'd like to move there.
Val Eads

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