Every American from the time they are born, is taught to have love, or at least respect, for certain aspects of our culture. Some of these include baseball, apple pie, BBQing on the fourth of July and given the wars of the past decade, an appreciation and gratitude for all branches of our military. American soldiers are trumpeted as heroes by our media, and deservedly so. Unfortunately, this heroism is blemished by a vile undertone of sexual abuse.
?Like numbers for sexual assault in general American society, numbers for sexual assault and rape have begun to skyrocket among military members in the past decade. While our armed forces are integrated with both male and female soldiers, they are still an overwhelmingly male dominated occupation. Men, and especially women, serving in- field or as military intelligence are subjected to unacceptable amounts of sexual aggression and abuse from their fellow soldiers and even commanders. Between July 2012 and June 2013 there were 3,553 reported sexual assaults according to military statistics. That number was a 46 percent increase from the previous year, and who knows what the numbers are when including unreported cases.
?Most recently, the sexual assault case against Army Brigadier General Jeffrey Sinclair has brought the issue to the public’s attention. Sinclair, the former deputy commander of the 82nd Airborne Division as well as commander of the armed forces in Southern Afghanistan, pled guilty to charges of committing adultery, engaging in inappropriate relationships with three women, obstruction of justice and conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman.
?Sinclair was accused of many counts of sexual abuse, but there were a few in particular that stood out. The captain who served as his Arabic -speaking adviser, said that Sinclair forcefully fondled her breasts and crotch in plain sight of other troops on a convoy plane to Kuwait and later forced her to perform oral sex. According to the accuser, she was too intimidated to come forward against the general because he told her that if she told anyone about their affair, he would kill her entire family in “a way no one would ever know.”
?Despite the evidence toward the general, in addition to pleading guilty, his punishment amounted to roughly a $24,000 fine. He will avoid jail time entirely. The accuser’s lawyers even went as far as to call this ruling a “slap on the wrist.”
While the sacrifice Sinclair has made for our country is not under question, it does not excuse his actions in any form. It truly is a shame a man of this importance could behave so reprehensibly, especially while in command during war time, and essentially emerge from the courts-martial scot-free. ?This case is only the most recent and public case that focuses on the military’s best-kept secret. I understand war means these soldiers are subjected to life-threatening and horrible situations in deployment. Therefore, dignity toward our fellow countrymen must be maintained. It pains me to think that some of these soldiers return from fighting, only to be just as afraid in their own barracks. But these horrible acts are inexcusable. ?The Uniform Code of Military Justice provides the legal oversight and rulings for any military trials. I agree the military should be its own separate entity and have its own individual legal system apart from the rest of the United States, however, it seems to me the UCMJ is either playing favorites in its rulings or is in drastic need of change. Sinclair’s punishment will only serve as an example to other soldiers that it is OK to sexually abuse other soldiers as long as you have the rank and position high enough to earn a free pass. While the military may tend to lag behind public opinion with regard to change, the severity of this issue mandates that our nations’ heroes start being more heroic toward their fellow soldiers.
Ryan is a junior majoring in political science. What do you think should be done about this problem? Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
