News
Sexual Assaults Must Be Treated as Crimes
Sunday, April 5, 2015 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
In his book, “The Evil Hours,” Morris dispels the myth that combat causes the greatest levels of PTSD.
“...the most common and most toxic form of trauma is rape...five times more traumatic than combat.” Only 3 of every 100 rapists will ever spend a single day in prison. Words matter. An individual is victimized, not a victim. Survivors understand that sexual perpetrators will not miraculously understand they need to change their behavior; perpetrators must be treated as criminals. Just as any institution that harbors sexual perpetrators must also face consequences.
Joint Service Leadership Signs SAAPM Proclamation
Friday, April 3, 2015 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - Hawaii
Senior leadership and service members assigned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and community partners attended the base's 2nd annual joint signing of the Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) proclamation. The theme for this year's SAAPM is "Eliminate sexual assault. Know your part. Do your Part."
Six More Women Qualify to Attend Ranger School
Wednesday, April 1, 2015 | Category: Department of Defense - National
Six more female soldiers qualified to attend Ranger School this spring, bringing to 12 the number of women who have qualified for the grueling two-month course.
Female Veterans Pose Homeless Challenge for VA
Wednesday, April 1, 2015 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - National
The VA has a goal to end veteran homelessness, which means there are no veterans sleeping on our streets and every veteran has access to permanent housing. Some female veterans question whether that goal will be met.
The number of women wounded by their war service is at a zenith and so are their problems.
Suit Revives Controversy on Air Force Explicit Songbook
Tuesday, March 31, 2015 | Category: Military Justice - National
Susan Burke filed a new lawsuit seeking to stop the Defense Department from putting commanders in charge of sexual assault cases in their units. The case revives a 2012 controversy over a sexually explicit songbook of "misogynistic trash" that some fighter pilots allegedly still use.
Bill Would Allow Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma to Seek Special Care
Tuesday, March 31, 2015 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) reintroduced H.R. 1603, the Military Sexual Assault Victims Empowerment (SAVE) Act, designed to allow survivors of military sexual trauma to seek specialized care outside of the Veterans Administration health care system. Co-sponsors include Democrat Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii.
Army Apologizes to Troops Exposed to US-Designed Chemical Weapons in Iraq
Friday, March 27, 2015 | Category: Department of Defense - National
The undersecretary of the Army apologized in response to a New York Times investigation for the military’s mishandling of more than 600 service members who reportedly suffered from chemical exposure in Iraq. After being exposed to potentially lethal amounts of sulfur mustard and sarin gas, US troops often received inadequate medical treatment, gag orders, and found themselves ineligible for Purple Heart medals.
'The right stuff': Military Women Throughout History
Thursday, March 26, 2015 | Category: History/Heritage - National
Since colonial days women have contributed much to the development of the American way of life in many areas, including national defense. Congress designated March as Women's History Month in 1987 to recognize their vast contributions.
Nation's Oldest Female Veteran Dies at 108
Friday, March 20, 2015 | Category: History/Heritage - National
Lucy Coffey worked at an A&P grocery store in Dallas when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, according to the Stars and Stripes. She joined the newly formed Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in 1943. The war took her to the Pacific theater, including New Guinea, the Philippines and finally Japan, where she spent a decade before moving to San Antonio. She earned two bronze stars.
Army Female Trailblazers Applaud Expanding Role of Women
Thursday, March 19, 2015 | Category: United States Army - National
Army Lt. Gen. Karen Dyson noted that "After OIF and OEF, we are learning now about the complexities of the battlespace that demands new roles for women that have emerged or gained prominence over the last 13-plus years of war." The Army is opening to female Soldiers some 33,000 jobs that were previously closed to them as part of the directive to open combat jobs to women in the military.