Sexual Affairs in the Army Creates Toxic Environment
Three people, in anonymity, spoke about how enlisted soldiers who exchange sexual favors with their officers get special treatment at Fort Greely. The three anonymous witnesses said that there is no strict rule imposed upon officials and soldiers who were committing adultery inside the army. They also testified that the army prohibited them from divulging information about such sexual activities.
According to a unit phone list gotten by Bloomberg, the battalion at Fort Greely has approximately 16 women among its 195 members. And, the Defense Department reported a survey estimating 26,000 cases of forced sexual activities. This figure is a 35 per cent increase since the last conducted survey in 2011.
General Ray Odierno, the Army Chief of Staff, called on his men to condone such sexual proposals inside the Army. "The Army is failing in its effort to combat sexual assult and sexual harassment. It is time we take on the fight against sexual assault and sexual harassment."
The military is investigating at least three cases where army officials are allegedly guilty of assault, mistreatment of subordinates and inducing prostitution, Bloomberg reported.
The most controversial case was the case of Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Miley, the commander of the Alaska Army National Guard's 49th Missile Defense Battalion. Confirmation about the case was already released by spokesman for the Space and Missile Defense Command, Marco Morales, but he was mum about the specific details.
Lt. Col. Miley is the commander of battalion at Fort Greely. The commander, with his battalion, was tasked to defend the U.S. from missile attack.
In the course of his duty, Lt. Col Miley was reported to create a World War II themed pin up calendar designed with photos of his wife and photos of almost naked female soldiers.
The pin-up calendar was reportedly sold to acquire funds for the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" as reported by the Army Times newspaper in March. According to the report, other military units in the U.S. created and sold such themed pin-ups with photos of military wives and women soldiers to acquire funds for veterans.
In an internal meeting in January 4 which details were revealed through e-mail by the three anonymous witnesses, Lt. Col. Miley defended himself saying that adultery is not punishable under military law.
The e-mail alleged that Lt. Col. Miley said that "The modern military is an environment where sexual misconduct is commonplace. A soldier can be charged with adultery only if he or she violates a no-contact order" Lt. Col. Miley refused to comment when contacted about the issue."
The said e-mail was addressed to Lieutenant General Richard Formica, head of the Space and Missile Defense Command. The e-mail also put emphasis on the fact that Lt. Col. Miley's disturbing sexual activities made them fear for their wives and even their children in this toxic environment.
The e-mail also revealed that sexual complaints involved non-commissioned officer and enlisted soldiers.
Mr. Morales said that an informal investigation under Army regulations was already set but that the investigation has no deadline. Only when the investigation was completed that Formica and Brigadier General Leon Bridges, commander of the Alaska Army national Guard, will decide if Lt. Col. Miley will be sanctioned for his alleged sexual conducts.