women deserve all the facts of mst before enlisting
Since there is no real effort to stop MST, we owe it to America's daughters to warn them about the potential dangers of MST and what is likely to happen to them based on the current situation. Congress must pass legislation requiring the DoD to provide written disclosure to all potential female recruits about the dangers of Military Sexual Trauma (MST), so they can decide whether enlisting is worth the risk of experiencing MST and its consequences.
The United States military is one of the most trusted institutions in America, and as a nation, we revere those who wear the uniform in defense of our way of life. Today, women make up about 20% of the armed forces, and since 2015, they have served in all military jobs, including combat roles.
Despite the many advertised hardships, the United States has a proud tradition as an all-volunteer force. Things like being separated from loved ones for long periods, the potential to develop physical and mental health issues and the knowledge that you may die in service to our Nation.
However, Military Sexual Trauma (MST), a little-known but pervasive and significant problem with long-lasting impacts on victims, remains a growing problem within the US Military.
MST is the term the VA uses to refer to experiences of sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that a Veteran experienced during military service. MST encompasses any sexual harassment or sexual activity a service member endures without providing consent.
The United States has spent millions of dollars of tax-payer money "studying the MST issue," but a less than 1% prosecution and conviction rate prove there is no genuine desire to stop MST. There are no reliable statistics for the actual number of women in the military who have experienced MST because only one in four women report MST. There are many reasons for this, including fear of retaliation, stigma, and lack of trust in the military justice system.
Although less than one percent of sexual assault reports result in a conviction, more than 60 percent of victims who make a report receive a bad conduct discharge from the military, typically within seven months of making notifying officials. Most active-duty victims who report sexual assault or rape will face reprisal and retaliation, primarily from their chain of command (CoC), the very individuals they are obligated to report to.
After discharge, a disproportionate and growing number of MST victims end up homeless or in prison without access to earned benefits such as the GI Bill, medical care, and disability stipends because of bad conduct discharges. And the problem is only getting worse. Nine out of 10 MST survivors develop PTSD and other severe mental health issues, depression, anxiety and behavioral disorders. Issues that will destroy their lives and takes years, if not decades, to come to terms with.
Women are an increasingly important part of the US military. They have served in the military for centuries, and their roles have expanded over time, and they are enlisting at higher rates than ever before. However, the prevalence of sexual crimes against women also continues to grow and research shows the shocking and destructive impact MST can have on its victims.
Women deserve all the facts about MST before they choose to serve in a military that does not value their lives.
The overwhelming majority of sexual assaults in the military go unreported.
Because who will you report your sexual assault to, when the man who raped you, is your superior and he will be investigated by his friends and military equals?
There is little dispute that there is a sexual assault problem in the military. The dispute arises when people begin to discuss the why and how. Why is it happening and how do we stop it?
The reason sexual assault continues to plague our military is a lack of accountability. When unacceptable behavior is condoned and encouraged, wrongful behavior becomes an acceptable culture.
Not every man in the military is a rapist or engages in sexual assault or harassment. However, our military has a “close your eyes” problem. Men who don’t speak out when faced with wrong-doing and women who normalize their own MST in order to survive each day. Forced to live this way because the perpetrators of these crimes are rarely investigated, let alone prosecuted.
When our military leaders face no accountability, it costs America. It costs the military its credibility and the trust the American people have in its ability to defend our Nation against all enemies- foreign and domestic. It also costs our all-volunteer force future recruits. Although overall enlistments have declined in recent years, the percentage of women serving on active duty continues to grow. But America will stop sending its daughters to enlist when they learn the military’s dirty little secret.
Why is this happening in our military
Most military sexual assault investigations are conducted at the command level. Meaning, law enforcement is rarely involved whether the assault happened on base or off.
Basically, the perpetrators of sexual assault in the military are often investigated by friends or mentors -hardly an unbiased investigation likely to bring justice to the victim.
Reports of sexual assault should be investigated by civilian authorities and once wrongdoing is discovered; consistent, action-deterring military punishments should be imposed.
Only by holding perpetrators of rape and sexual assault accountable will it stop.
#StopMST
ON ACTIVE DUTY?
tIt's time to open your eyes and speak up. Hold your leadership accountable. Speak up when you have knowledge of wrongdoing. Stop condoning the harassment and assault of your sisters-in-arms with your silence.
To our brothers and sisters currently suffering in silence, speak up. You are not alone. Our attackers no longer have power over us. We will stand beside you while you face yours.
There is a legion of us who have walked in your boots and are willing to stand beside you and support you while you speak up to ensure future generations may serve our country without fear of being raped, assaulted or harassed by fellow service-members.
It is time to hold our military leadership accountable for creating a culture where a sense of entitlement normalizes sexual harassment, assault and rape as the cost of belonging.
CALL TO ACTION:
It is naïve of military leadership and lawmakers to believe wrong doers will be held accountable when they are permitted to investigate themselves. Leadership claims it wants to end sexual assault in the military. The only way to do that is to take the investigative power of sexual assault away from them military and placed into the hands of the specialized police officers and investigators who focus on sex crimes and once wrongdoing is discovered, consistent, action-deterring military punishments should be imposed. Only by holding perpetrators of rape and sexual assault accountable will it stop.
Support American Hero Sgt. Lindstrom's Fight forJustice
Whistleblower Retaliation Hearing
Lindstrom faced retaliation after standing up for an MST victim, leading to his dismissal from the Nevada National Guard and termination from his civilian role at the Nevada Office of the Military.
Adjutant General for the State of Nevada Maj Gen Ondra Berry and Nevada National Guard Staff Judge Advocate Col Kevin Remus are expected to testify in the Whistleblower Retaliation Hearing
Scheduled for:
April 19th, 2024, 9:00 AM
Location: Nevada State Personnel Commission
1050 E William Street Ste 450,
Carson City, NV 89701