Proposed New Law For Military Sexual Assault Prosecutions

Two lawmakers leading the fight to stop sexual assault in the military told CBS' "Face the Nation" that the military has "dropped the ball" in its handling of sexual abuse cases, touting legislation that would empower trained military prosecutors - rather than the chain of command - to investigate and adjudicate sexual assault cases.

Under her legislation, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., said the decision to bring a sexual abuse case to trial would rest "with a trained military prosecutor. And in that way, there's objectivity. They're going to base it on the facts of the case and nothing else. No pressure about their own promotion. No bias, perhaps, because they know the perpetrator or know the victim." She expressed her hope that such a change would "instill more confidence by the victim, in the system, that he or she has a chance to receive justice."

Though most of the times I am against civilians in Congress with no prior service telling the military how to do their job; in this instance, the proposed legislation sounds reasonable and necessary. Now, let's hope the politics of DC don't hijack the bill.

Rejection!

I must be a burgeoning author, as I received my first rejection email this week. On the positive side, the literary agent's rejection resulted from his request to read my manuscript. Though disappointed that the agent didn't find the book a good fit, I am highly encouraged that the first agent I reached out to was intrigued enough to actually request to see the manuscript.

Undaunted, I just sent out three more emails to prospective agents. The right agent for this project is out there, we'll find one another! Until then, I'll continue to provide occasional updates and also populate this blog with information and links relevant to The Last Top Gun.  Check six!

Women in Combat: Two Men's Reactions

Hundreds (thousands?) of articles, editorials, videos and blog posts have been published since last week's announcement by SECDEF that the Pentagon is lifting its ban on women serving in combat. Wherever you stand on the issue, you can find dozens of commentaries supporting your view. Personally, former Marine grunt Thomas James Brennan's Op-Ed in the New York Times hit the bulls eye for me.

Here are two quotes from the editorial that I found particularly poignant:

Being an infantryman isn’t just about uncomfortable living situations. It’s kill or be killed, blood, entrails and fear. We are a brotherhood; a collection of ragtag men who hunt and kill the enemy and travel to undesirable places to do even more undesirable things. Maybe women can join the infantry and succeed, but many of us are not sure. There’s more at stake here than equal opportunity and political correctness.

* * * 

Integrating women into the infantry is asking to shift a cultural norm. It is not something that is impossible but it will take much effort and training to be successful. I, for one, am torn.
 

I, too am torn. I enthusiastically and emphatically endorse women in the military and even in some combat roles, but question the efficacy of having women integrate into certain elite, specialized combat units. But I also realize the decision has been made and will not be rescinded.  We as a society have turned a corner from which we'll never go back.

I can only hope the generals and admirals take their time to implement this historic decision prudently without undue influence from political groups, civilian members of DoD or even Congress. It's the war fighters (and not bureaucrats or civilian appointees) who should set the timetable and boundaries for allowing women into combat units. My fear is this won't happen and, instead, the military will succumb to political correct pressures which inevitably will result in a less effective and lethal fighting force. For the sake of every Marine, Sailor, Airman, Soldier and Coastie--and our nation as a whole--Service chiefs and DoD, please prove me wrong!

Fort Bragg Club Bans Lesbian Spouse

MSNBC reported yesterday that the Pentagon is endorsing a move by leaders at Fort Bragg to stay out of a decision made by its on-base spouses club to refuse membership to the lesbian spouse of a female Army officer.

The newlywed wife of a female lieutenant colonel was reportedly blocked from joining the spouses club at Fort Bragg, sparking accusations that she was blackballed only because she is a lesbian.

In what only can be described as outlandish irony, the blackballed spouse has been nominated for the Fort Bragg Military Spouse of the Year Award.  Equally ironic is the fact the Marine Corps issued a directive last week that same-sex spouses be allowed to participate in spouses clubs at all Marine bases.  Yep, that's right, the Gyrenes are leading from the front on establishing rights for gay and lesbian spouses for military servicemen and women.

How can one service branch ban gay and lesbian spouses from base activities while another branch permit such access?  A DoD spokesman explained that the Pentagon's position on the Army matter is legally viable despite the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” because the Defense Department still follows the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). That law defines marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman. Under DOMA, the federal government doesn’t recognize same-sex marriages and doesn’t offer same-sex military spouses some benefits given to heterosexual spouses.

Hmm, sounds like federal court intervention may be on the horizon.