News
Department of Defense Forwards to Congress Proposed Changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice
Monday, December 28, 2015 | Category: Military Justice - National
In October 2013, former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel directed the review of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and its implementation in the Manual for Courts-Martial. The proposal includes recommendations of the Military Justice Review Group. The Group conducted a detailed analysis of each article of the UCMJ, including the historical background of the UCMJ, current practice, and comparison to federal civilian law. The Department of Defense (DOD) forwarded their proposed legislation to Congress, including 37 statutory additions and substantive amendments to 68 current provisions of the UCMJ. The DOD’s proposal is the first comprehensive military justice reform package submitted to Congress in more than 30 years.
Less Consideration for Female Veterans
Sunday, December 27, 2015 | Category: Combat - Texas
An Operation Iraqi Freedom female Marine veteran shares her interview experience, concluding that her military service was less valued than her male peers. She believes that discrimination contributes to why women veterans do not attend veteran events.
Stefanik Can Do Better
Sunday, December 27, 2015 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - New York
This opinion piece challenges the depth of New York representative Stefanik's understanding of the issues the House Armed Services Committee addresses. The author specifically notes her position f supporting the current military strategy in Afghanistan and continuing involvement of the military chain of command in sexual assault cases.
Military Injustice: Politics, Machismo, Structural Defects
Wednesday, December 23, 2015 | Category: Military Justice - National
This opinion article highlights the vulnerability of the military justice system to inappropriate Congressional pressure. USAF Lt. Col. Rachel Van Landingham (ret.) notes that the "generals and admirals in whom the greatest prosecutorial and quasi-judicial authority is vested not only must be confirmed by the Senate for their next promotion, but three and four-star generals must receive Senate approval for their next assignment as well. This approval process starts, and can easily end, in the Senate Armed Services Committee." She suggests that Congress enact reform that instills transparency and accountability into prosecutorial discretion in the military vice unlawfully influencing individual cases.
Women and The Military Prepare for Combat
Wednesday, December 23, 2015 | Category: Combat - National
All the military Services must submit plans to integrate women into combat positions by January 1, 2016 with over 220,000 positions opened by April 2016. Lieutenant General Barno commanded a brigade including hundreds of women. He tells The Takeaway that the armed forces will only improve by including women as long as the services maintain their high standards for combat roles.
Pentagon's Women-in-Combat Push Faces Chilly Headwinds
Wednesday, December 23, 2015 | Category: Combat - National
The Pentagon, under Secretary of Defense Carter's leadership, must open all military occupations to women beginning in 2016. Challenges are expected, particularly within the special operation forces units.
Two Big Army Salutes to Military Women's Equality
Tuesday, December 22, 2015 | Category: History/Heritage - National
This blog's article commends the promotion of two women to senior U.S. Army positions. She believes these "firsts" are potentially important steps to positively transforming women's military experiences to include serving with respect and dignity.
Air Force Veteran Joins Columbia College Board
Monday, December 21, 2015 | Category: Military Justice - National
Retired Air Force Lt General Richard Harding joined Columbia College’s Board of Trustees. He noted that while in the Air Force, he was most proud of his work on policies regarding representation for military sexual assault victims and laws of war. He currently lives in Columbia, Missouri.
The Military's Culture of Retaliation Against Rape Victims
Saturday, December 19, 2015 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - New Hampshire
The article's author shares her experiences of trying to write an article about sexual assault in the military. Contacts who were not currently in the military were afraid to speak freely and openly, acknowledging the military's "culture of silence." Retaliation continues even after legal reform as the 2014 RAND report documents: 62% of women who reported unwanted sexual contact experienced some form of retaliation including adverse administrative actions, professional actions, punishments for other infractions, and/or mental health diagnoses.
Senators of Steel: Gillibrand And McCaskill Make A Formidable Team
Friday, December 18, 2015 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
Senators McCaskill of Missouri and Gillibrand of New York have blazed sexual assault reform impacting military personnel and students on college campuses. They understand there is much, much more to acccomplish to reach out and give a hand up to victims who still live in silence. As role models for women, they recommend women "own their ambition."