U.S. Senator McSally, an Air Force veteran, says she was raped by a superior officer but did not report it.
Sexual assault and harassment in the U.S. military is largely under-reported and came under renewed scrutiny after a scandal involving Marines sharing nude photos of women online came to light.
The so called scandal involving Marines sharing nude photos of women online had nothing to do with rape. The pictures posted were not of women naked taken without their knowledge. The nude photos that were posted were sent to Marines by those women. The photos taken without them knowing about it were not nude and were taken in public places…mostly the gym.
WASHINGTON, March 6 (Reuters) – U.S. Senator Martha McSally, the first female combat pilot in the U.S. Air Force, said on Wednesday she had been raped by a superior officer but did not report it because she blamed herself and did not trust the system.
“The perpetrators abuse their position of power in profound ways, and in one case I was preyed upon and then raped by a superior officer,” McSally, an Arizona Republican, said during a Senate hearing on sexual assault in the military.
“But unlike so many brave survivors, I didn’t report being sexually assaulted,” she added. “Like so many women and men, I didn’t trust the system. I blamed myself. I was ashamed and confused. I thought I was strong but felt powerless.”
To be clear, anyone who rapes a woman while in the military should be buried under the shitters at Ft. Knox.
However, a Colonel in the military that refuses to report a crime should be held to a higher standard than others. I can not say that without being accused of blaming the victim. I am not blaming McSally for being raped, I am blaming her for putting other women in danger by not reporting the crime.
What kind of crimes will she not report as a member of Congress? Does she now feel powerless to report crimes?
There is a difference between the expectations of conduct between the average person and a Commanding Officer.
She claims a crime was committed and wants to raise awareness. Thank you for pointing out you put others in harm’s way by lacking the intestinal fortitude to report a crime for years on end.
Senator McSally had an outstanding career. If she was indeed a victim of sexual assault she has my deepest sympathy. She needs to speak out about speaking up.
Source: U.S. Senator McSally, an Air Force veteran, says she was …
I do not understand these women. The cops told us long, long ago YOU REPORT IT. PERIOD. How many times does a bartender have to get beaten and stomped by someone three times her size to stop this crap????
Someone please let me know when these women who are afraid of not being “liked” if they object to such things are going to get past that asinine crap and FUCKING REPORT IT!!!!!
“The perpetrators abuse their position of power in profound ways, and in one case I was preyed upon and then raped by a superior officer,” — McSally. While what she said is true, what the hell is the legal officer for if not this??
It creates a bigger problem than you think when women put up with it and do not report it, because they’re afraid of losing the job, getting set back (military) etc. Then the smallest thing is misinterpreted as “sexual assault” when it may simply be bad manners, which need to be straightened out and quickly.
Get your brains unfrozen, will you?
Oh, and I’m VERY tired of the #me,too crap. I’m reaching the ‘I DON’T GIVE A SHIT’ point about it.
I know ” # ” is hashtag, but for the non Twitter literate, ” # ” also means ‘pound’.
They chose poorly for their slogan
No kidding. And it never dawned on them what it really says.
Don’t believe it. These baseless claims damage the military, male military members, and subvert the concept of justice. That is exactly what is going on. Cheap political victim points while throwing the organization and people that gave her everything under the bus. No way to defend themselves, rather guilty because we idolize self described victims. Way to go shithead.
This.
Agreed.
People probably call her “courageous” and “brave” for reporting it now.
If she was truly brave, she should have reported it when it happened.
I suspect she can’t remember when or where exactly it occurred.
This stuff is such bullshit.
“[A]nyone who rapes a woman while in the military should be buried under the shitters at Ft. Knox” after being relieved of their gennies.
FIFY.
I’m getting a work party together, volunteers? Someone grab a file to unsharpen the sheers.
My heart tears at those assaulted but my brain screams, silently, and those who choose not to report. Do it. It’s the only way we may get justice.
Forgive the typos. Coffee needs PMCS, it seems to be inop.
So she basically allowed a perp to get away with it, and created who knows how many more victims.
No excuse for sexual assault. No excuse for not reporting it IMMEDIATELY.
As a long time officers club bartender, wine steward then progressing to manager, I have seen how consumption of alcohol inhibits judgment. Back in the day happy hour was a unit formation and broke down rank barriers.
I suspect the senator’s guilt came from putting herself in the position enabling a “superior officer” to have sex with her. Just what is a “superior officer”? One rank above hers?. Let’s have the full story senator. How much adult beverage was involved. Location please? The BOQ, a TDY hotel room? Your apartment? Was this superior officer married? Tell us how this came about because there is a significant difference between having buyers remorse and being forcefully sexually assaulted. I don’t believe for one minute you remained silent because of being shamed. My take is you knew you were on a career fast track because of your gender and good looks and didn’t want to screw it up because an Air Force officer was expected to show good judgment.
there is a distinct possibility that it was not rape until now, when she needs victim cred in DC. Prior to that it was “fucking up”.
I don’t trust any story like this from a politician.
She threw the election in Arizona knowing an appointment awaited her.Good looks and right gender, fast track great fitness reports,hm?
BTW does the UCMJ have statutory limited on rape while both parties were on active duty? Isn’t it possible to recall a retired military member to active duty to face courts martial? Can an Article 32 investigation still be initiated?
AN inquiring mind wants to know.
No statute of limitations.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/843
There is a statute of limitation before 2006, Court of Appeals decided that on 22 Feb, when they overturned a Lt Col’s conviction after he admitted raping a subordinate.
What happened to that “Warrior” spirit? I thought fighter pilots were supposed to be aggressive, quick-thinking, and resourceful. Was she so innocent and sheltered that she didn’t think of using a knee to the ‘nads? That and a hearty “Try that again you SOB and you can kiss them goodby. Literally. Sir!”.
Evidently there are indeed differences between the sexes. I cannot imagine any male being so passive and submissive (dare I say cowardly?). Particularly as we are told that rape is not just a physical assault, but an inexpressibly horrible assault on the very essence of the victim’s being.
There is a legal concept called “contributory negligence”. I suspect that, as you say, she is guilty of at least that.
“con·trib·u·to·ry neg·li·genceDictionary result for contributory negligence
nounLAW
failure of an injured plaintiff to act prudently, considered to be a contributory factor in the injury suffered, and sometimes reducing the amount recovered from the defendant.”
If she was raped, then there is more to the story than she is telling.
Many years ago when I was a lowly 2 striper (AF), my supervisor called me at midnight to say I needed to meet him in front of the barracks to discuss my performance review. Took the WAF CQ ( yes it was a long time ago) with me. He stuttered about & left. CQ told WAF commander who raised hell & I was put on another shift; no consequences for him but the was told what a wonderful guy he was. Point is: REPORT!
More than many years ago at McGuire AFB as a three striper, I was in line at the AAFES food truck outside the barracks waiting to grab a bite. Two WAF’s in front of me were talking. One told the other she had given her supervisor his annual fuck for her annual outstanding performance appraisal. Consensual but nevertheless wrong.
Colonel McSally, you have failed miserably as a commissioned officer by allowing a sexual predator to remain free to roam in the United States Air Force. By this act, you took your victimhood and placed in squarely upon the shoulders of every member of the Air Force. Your failure to act should be considered dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming of an officer. You were not some 18 year old Airman recruit when this incident occurred, you were an academy grad and commissioned officer, and should have understood the serious repercussions of your failure to report this. If your chain of command failed you, you should have reported directly to the military police or local police department. I have no doubt that you would not have accepted this from a subordinate. I am quite sure that during your time in command or in a leadership position, you had to deal with a similar situation with a subordinate. How did you handle it, as a leader? Did you kick the can down the road?
“Like so many women and men, I didn’t trust the system.”
And then she spends her whole career supporting and enforcing that system. Perhaps someone should ask her why we should trust her.
What burns my ass is that she took the position that Kelly Ward should have gotten! imho
Hard to understand that a woman and an officer with the guts to blast the bad guys with her GAU-8, wouldn’t come forward (sooner) and id the perp.
I’m not gonna beat up on her , MST is real it happens , but does that mean that everybody reports it is telling the truth ? Nope. But every allegation must be investigated. If a perp is guilty deal with them if a “victim “ is lying deal with them. Shame is very real too and why so much goes unreported. Im not gonna go all hardcore like some here might and say suck it up and drive on! Look I’ve been I groups at VA which had MST survivors let me tell you that the emotion is real ! So us the sense of shame. I know we live in a victim society. And that’s not good but to see MST and PTS attacked is throwing out the baby with the bath water. No I’m not a bleeding heart. Just trying not to join a dogpile when I know the shits real. I don’t know Senator Mcsalley which is why I’m not prepared to judge her. I know what some will say NCF is going all libtard no im just trying to be objective based on what I’ve seen.
If McSally was not a commissioned officer entrusted with the lives and well being of her subordinates, my reaction would have been much like yours.
SFC D , I can def see your point. Officers have always had to live up to a higher standard. I remember some years ago she spoke up about females being forced to wear the abaya when serving in Saudi Arabia. So I know she has a history of speaking up on things that matter. And so it’s logical to think why not with this as well ? I can only think that it maybe something to do with the personal trauma she may have felt. Maybe that was an factor. But your right she has a duty to speak up to prevent a predator from striking again. I’m not entirely sure what was going on with her But MST can be a soul ripping experience and maybe that colored her judgement.
I want to agree with you, NCF, I really do….but I can’t. this one particular example is just not sitting square with me.
we’re supposed to believe she is a lioness, the combat blooded fierce example of what women can be. while also believing that she was too scared to speak up…in spite of her other stances.
we’re supposed to believe that she has women’s rights and her personal beliefs as her lode star (see the comment above about the abaya) and that she can stand up to totalitarian dictatorships that love the 7th century lifestyle. but also that she needs to fold up and shirk her duty when protecting her subordinates.
we’re supposed to believe that this lady makes a good leader, makes good judgments, and works for those underneath her, to move them forward and be a representative of all that they can be. while also ignoring the fact that she potentially endangered many more by avoiding her duty.
we’re supposed to believe that she speaks the truth about this. but also while suspending the idea that she might be making something up.
either way, we’ve all been painted as a bunch of rapists (again), or a bunch of fools for believing that she was the fierce combat commander that we’ve been led to believe.
ain’t buying either. this whole thing doesn’t add up.
I see your point as well Jim, when you look at say , General Claudia Kennedy who busted out General Larry Smith of forcibly kissing her against her will and he lost the slot to be the next IG, and taken down a star or maybe two I don’t remember. It’s hard not to look at Mcsally with the same lens ? I’m not saying she’s right in not speaking up nor am I saying even that she’s telling the truth. All I’m saying is that it’s got a few more moving parts that may not be explored such as her state of mind but I’m even willing to concede that that’s even pretty thin given her history im just not committed to saying it’s bullshit yet because I need to hear more. And I guess I’ll admit to being frustrated with attitudes toward MST and PTSD and those being that if we become so jaded about these issues that we risk marginalizing folks like me who deal with ptsd every day.
“And I guess I’ll admit to being frustrated with attitudes toward MST and PTSD and those being that if we become so jaded about these issues that we risk marginalizing folks like me who deal with ptsd every day.”
While attitudes towards such things may or may not affect any of us personally, our personal opinions are not really important here.
Her oath as an officer requires her to report unlawful acts. Period. She did not do so and now wants victim credibility for her non-action.
Great leaders stand on principle, not on personal gain.
My two primary responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind; accomplishment of my mission, and the welfare of my soldiers.
This is a binary solution set; either you are, or you are not doing so.
She did not. Now she wants currency for that.
Thus we see the real problem here. While it is not our place to judge the merits of the claim per se, we should clearly see that her late date assertion is part of the problem.
One can postulate that her attitude on her own experience informed her own mentorship of others.
Let that sink in….
Bingo. That’s what I was trying to convey. I was typing in full pissed-off NCO mode. Well said, boss.
I agree that ppl here have both a right to be skeptical based on how her not reporting it , I get that . I’m just saying for me, based on my personal belief that I simply want more info before I judge. You guys make valid points and I’ve echoed a few of those in this thread. Including her failing as a lease to report. Im just saying when you factor Shame and guilt and just not plain knowing All the facts because of the nature of MST that I honestly have to say that I’ll withhold judgement. As far as attitudes towards PTS. And MST I’ve seen PTS , service animals mocked by some here. At times. Not all but some. And I know that liars and fakers about PTS who are busted here really play it up . And get ridiculed for it. It just seems like a shotgun blast at times directed at those who legiitamily suffer as well. Mental health challenges are real . I know I deal with it every day. Again this is not everybody . It’s just an observation I’ve made. So I’m ready to take any heat round for sounding like a weak bleeding heat liberal .
“… a right to be skeptical based on how her not reporting it , I get that.”
What you do not seem to get is that our criticism assumes that she was assaulted and that it caused pain; no skepticism involved.
And we are also supposed to believe in her judgement and ability to fly and lead in combat, where personal trauma and soul-ripping experiences are fairly common.
Part of the job description for her and the rest of the military is to do your job even when “the shit is real”. Particularly officers.
” I don’t know Senator Mcsalley which is why I’m not prepared to judge her.”
And yet you do not hesitate to judge those of us who do not get reflexively maudlin over alleged victimization.
Tim , you are gonna get an argument out of me on your points. They are solid. But I think I’m pretty fair when others here make valid points I’m not saying you guys are wrong , I’m saying that I’m looking at some of this with a little more trepidation. Look , I’m not wired to dogpile , it’s not who I am, I respect others opinions here and my record these last few years shows it. I have nothing but the utmost respect for you guys here. Some of you guys have been there for me offline when I needed it including Jonn, in fact so much so that I’ve shared personal failures and weak moments if I thought it furthered the conversation. But I do fully expect some flack for maybe sharing a different view at times. I mean you roll that dice every time we post. And I post that I’m ready for the heat rounds. So I would like you to know , that I have enjoyed reading your posts in the past bro , and will likely in the future. I may be a lot of things , but judgemental I don’t think so. I think I’ll continue to follow Jonn’s advice and be myself so long as remain respectful of those here . So I appreciate your criticism of me as I’m sure it will cause me, as all good criticism should , to reflect on what I could do better. For that I thank you God Bless
Sure, be all reasonable and nice. Make me look like I’m the bad guy with a problem with reading comprehension and a hair trigger Enter key. I am on to your tricks.
And what do you know about those missing strawberries?
Bro , love that Caine Mutiny reference. I just found it in a Bogart movie collection. As well as Carey Grant one with North by Northwest and Gunga Din! Sure beats a lot of the trash they pass for movies these days. Now if I just get ahold of a Kurt Douglas one ! Take care Bro. Have a great weekend !’
I ain’t buying it. so much about this reeks of pandering to me, and I find it *very* difficult to imagine this particular colonel being mousy quiet and soft spoken about something like this. further, it’s not that she had no other option but to be quiet; she, as an officer, had a DUTY TO REPORT this stuff. so at best we have dereliction of duty. OTOH, we have potential lies and “buyers remorse” I believe is how it was put above. either way, we have very poor judgment, potential cowardice, and incredibly fortuitous timing. this isn’t blaming victims either – this is the reality of command.
my experience investigating this stuff is also such that when your first mention of it is done in an incredibly public venue, the story is off; not natural and blown out of proportion. it becomes something more of a sensation and rocks an institution to its core while making everyone else feel like they need to shield the “victim.” with true stories, there is almost always a hint of something of a story first without going straight to media blasts. it sounds at this point like we’re trying to get ahead of something.
Looks like there is no end to the popularity of being a “victim” to further one’s agenda.
It’s getting kinda old….
Being a politician, it is possible that McSally is pulling this out of her ass. I don’t know if she is, but the possibility must be recognized.
That being said, if it did happen, then it is certainly true that she had a legal and moral obligation to report the incident, and her failure to do so enabled a subhuman predatory piece of shit to continue his unconscionable behavior.
On the other hand, I can’t bring myself to automatic judgement regarding her failure. Rape victims experience unspeakable psychological trauma. It’s easy for us to say “she should have done X” afterwards, but who knows how reality looks to somebody who’s suffering through that? I don’t expect a victim to make considered, rational decisions. Some do, but that depends on how well a particular individual is able to overcome the demons (figurative and otherwise) forced upon her. According to the shrinks, a rapist doesn’t get off on the sexual contact, he gets off on the power trip. A rapist who continued to interact with her afterwards would likely continue to exercise that power trip in other ways even if he didn’t force himself on her again, making her misery even worse.
The only Monday-Morning-QBing I would apply to McSally, if her allegation is true, is that she should have fought her attacker with anything at her disposal, to include teeth. And for all I know, she may have done so. If the allegation is true, the rapist should be executed, period. Preferably via burning at the stake, but hanging and shooting would be acceptable, if inferior, substitutes.
I served as an AF officer during the mid-80s to early 90s. I saw several careers ended by sexual improprieties far less vile than rape. An F-15 fighter squadron commander, already selected for O-6 promotion, had his sequence number red lined because of an extra-martial affair. A training squadron commander was court martialed, imprisoned, and dismissed from the service for engaging in oral sex with enlisted trainees. I even knew a married civilian (GS) secretary whose AF NCO husband reported her to the Office of Special Investigations for having sex with a junior airman. The infidelity was substantiated.
My point is that the AF has long had an effective reporting system for sexual assault and conduct unbecoming an officer/NCO. Even 30+ years ago the Social Actions and IG offices, not to mention the Security Police and OSI squadrons, were equipped to investigate allegations of sexual and criminal wrong doing.
The military justice system works best when violations are reported. Don’t let the perps walk freely among us. Report, report, and report!
Sure, she should have reported it at the time.
But.
Going by her bio and some of the facts she shared, this happened when she was at the 18 year point of her career. Since she retired in 2010, that would have been about 2006, or about the time this article was published: https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/128823/1st-air-force-female-pilot-in-combat-reflects-on-career/
According to the article she was attending the War College and about to pin on Colonel (I am not an Air Force officer, but that would be close to being below-the-zone for an Army officer).
Like most of these schools, she would have reported that summer, meaning she had been at school about 6 months.
If you didn’t know, the War College is a very intense academic experience, but there is a high premium placed on giving the students time to refresh- they are by definition the top performers in their year group, and most have come out of very demanding jobs and are on the way to the tough assignments that will determine which ones pin on stars.
That is a polite way of saying there is a good amount of partying.
I have a feeling that the Air War College Class ’06 alumni are going through their yearbooks right now. There is also a very good chance that she attended the Air Force Academy with some of the same people…
All of that said, the Air Force Officer Corps is sort of notorious among military officers for being very career conscious, more so, believe it or not, than the Navy. The Air Force identifies ‘high potential’ officers early, and their careers are handled very carefully by AF Senior Leaders. This process leads to a lot of toxic leaders, and it allows some ‘Shit Hot’ future generals to get away with murder. DOn’t believe me, believe Ned Stark: https://warontherocks.com/2018/11/and-miles-to-go-before-i-sleep-the-air-forces-stratification-problem/
So, yeah, she should have reported this at the time, but the Air Force had probably already demonstrated to her that no one would listen, she would be sidelined, and the bad guy would become a general anyway.
Seems like I read that plot point in “the general’s daughter.” Duty is duty. This argument still effectively has her putting her career above the welfare of others. That’s a no-go at this station.
If she had 18 years in, that makes her behavior even more unforgivable. And now she expects us to trust her with making decisions that affect the future of over 300 million other Americans, including over 15 million other women.
The female fighter pilots I’ve encountered were ball busters and didn’t take shit off anyone. The women in one Air Staff office in ’84 put up a sign that said sexual harassment would be graded. They meant it and were ruthless. So, this hand wringing doesn’t smell right. I’ll take “Alcohol was involved” for a thousand, Alex.
As an aside, or maybe a for instance, there was a drop dead gorgeous Capt at Nellis who filled out a flight suit. Her call sign was “Mounds” and it was on her name tag. I told my buddy that I could see why she got that name. El wrongo he said: Almond Joys have nuts, Mounds don’t.
Troll level:
Angels niner-zero
She was commissioned in 1991. The Navy flyboys we have will be happy to remind us what else was happening in the world in 1991; tailhook. So she came up in the post-tailhook military.
I find it hard to believe that she wasn’t going to report an assault. It was well known throughout the 90’s and 00’s that sexual assault would not be tolerated in the AF. Seems like we got monthly briefs on how not to rape each other.
1988.
I am 110% constitutionally conservative and a USAF veteran…but there’s always been, from the beginning, something I just plain didn’t like about her…like maybe a gaping hole in her character…
Is there some compelling reason she cannot name the guy at this point?
If not then what’s the point of her story?
Not-buying-it.
Ditto, that’s why I am still skeptical about her claim.
If you refuse to name your attacker, to not allow that individual the chance to defend their honor and career then you are just looking for victim cred that’s needed in modern politics. Are you going to wait until 35 years has passed and they are nominated to one of the most important offices in the land?
A couple of things here. Women who consider themselves to be powerful, and are in positions where they need to be seen as powerful, are less likely to report things like this for two reasons. First, they are likely to blame themselves and be embarrassed that they allowed it to happen. They are better, and stronger, and this crap could not possibly happen to them. Second, regardless of their level of blame, they likely believe their career is over because, as victims, no one will ever respect them again.
I do not believe this tells us her rank when this happened. She could have been very young and very junior. Yes, she should have reported it, but there is a reason that rape is one of the most under-reported crimes.
As to the who what and when – She can’t prove it at this point and it is he said she said. She has not named the man and, at this point, probably shouldn’t (now or in the future). There was a time for that, and that time is gone.
As to why she said something about it now – she is a politician, but giving her the benefit of the doubt, maybe she really thinks telling her story can help others.
I listened to her testimony. I don’t have a transcript but my memory of it was that she was a junior officer and he was a senior officer. She says she simply did not trust the system at the time.
I think a senior officer doing that can really shatter any trust in the command or the overall system.
If you don’t trust the system, don’t report through your chain of command. Report through 911. Call the SP’s. Call the county sheriff. Call the police.
It wasn’t me, I wasn’t there. I didn’t do it. I have never tried to or forced myself on any girl. And no I’m not Mr. Stud Muffin Supreme. Neither am I a self centered egotistical crazy mad drunk with power azzhole. Taught at a young age to treat all people, but especially women, with the utmost of respect. Told/taught by the military long ago the consequences under the UCMJ if I did “cross a line.”
Did it happen? Don’t know. Do know it shouldn’t of happened. If it did happen? Should have reported it. As posted above, this allegedly happened after tailhook. I think she would have had no worries that an incident such as this would have been investigated.
Do I believe there is more to this? yep!
Do I believe any politician? nope!
“Taught at a young age to treat all people, but especially women, with the utmost of respect”
When I occasionally answer “nah” instead of “no thank you” to a woman, my mother reaches down from heaven and slaps me hard.
I immediately correct myself and apologize.
Usually elicits a pretty smile from them.
Thanks mom.
Indeed same here, I know it wasn’t me because I’ve never fucked a drunk woman at a party and I’ve never fucked a woman too drunk to speak or consent.
Just reading the comments here it should become apparent to anyone honestly observing the situation why these aren’t reported more regularly.
If you fuck someone too drunk to speak you’re a rapist…it might be hard to reconcile that fact with your own self image but it’s the truth. A woman who is so drunk she just lays there as though dead while you fuck her is being raped by you.
There is no excuse, there is no justification it’s just wrong.
Sure, she should have reported it at the time.
But.
Going by her bio and some of the facts she shared, this happened when she was at the 18 year point of her career. Since she retired in 2010, that would have been about 2006, or about the time this article was published: https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/128823/1st-air-force-female-pilot-in-combat-reflects-on-career/
According to the article she was attending the War College and about to pin on Colonel (I am not an Air Force officer, but that would be close to being below-the-zone for an Army officer).
Like most of these schools, she would have reported that summer, meaning she had been at school about 6 months.
If you didn’t know, the War College is a very intense academic experience, but there is a high premium placed on giving the students time to refresh- they are by definition the top performers in their year group, and most have come out of very demanding jobs and are on the way to the tough assignments that will determine which ones pin on stars.
That is a polite way of saying there is a good amount of partying.
I have a feeling that the Air War College Class ’06 alumni are going through their yearbooks right now. There is also a very good chance that she attended the Air Force Academy with some of the same people…
All of that said, the Air Force Officer Corps is sort of notorious among military officers for being very career conscious, more so, believe it or not, than the Navy. The Air Force identifies ‘high potential’ officers early, and their careers are handled very carefully by AF Senior Leaders. This process leads to a lot of toxic leaders, and it allows some ‘Shit Hot’ future generals to get away with murder. DOn’t believe me, believe Ned Stark: https://warontherocks.com/2018/11/and-miles-to-go-before-i-sleep-the-air-forces-stratification-problem/
So, yeah, she should have reported this at the time, but the Air Force had probably already demonstrated to her that no one would listen, she would be sidelined, and the bad guy would become a general anyway.
Sure, she should have reported it at the time. But… Going by her bio and some of the facts she shared, this happened when she was at the 18 year point of her 22 year career. Since she retired in 2010, that would have been about 2006, or about the time this article was published: https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/128823/1st-air-force-female-pilot-in-combat-reflects-on-career/ According to the article she was attending the War College and about to pin on Colonel (I am not an Air Force officer, but that would be close to being below-the-zone for an Army officer). Like most of these schools, she would have reported that summer, meaning she had been at school about 6 months. If you didn’t know, the War College is a very intense academic experience, but there is a high premium placed on giving the students time to refresh- they are by definition the top performers in their year group, and most have come out of very demanding jobs and are on the way to the tough assignments that will determine which ones pin on stars. That is a polite way of saying there is a good amount of partying. I have a feeling that the Air War College Class of ’06 alumni are going through their yearbooks right now. There is also a very good chance that she attended the Air Force Academy with some of the same people… they would probably be at the point of pinning on their second star right about now. All of that said, the Air Force Officer Corps is sort of notorious among military officers for being very career conscious, more so, believe it or not, than the Navy. The Air Force identifies ‘high potential’ officers early, and their careers are handled very carefully by AF Senior Leaders. This process leads to a lot of toxic leaders, and it allows some ‘Shit Hot’ future generals to get away with murder. Don’t believe me, believe Ned Stark: https://warontherocks.com/2018/11/and-miles-to-go-before-i-sleep-the-air-forces-stratification-problem/ So, yeah, she should have reported this at the time, but the Air Force had probably already demonstrated to her that no one would listen. On top… Read more »
IMHO, this is fuzzy recollection of drunken bullshit happening and she is looking to capitalize on the #metoo meme for political points. She is not going to name the alleged offender because she doesn’t want him coming forward, along with others, to refute her story. Next, she will claim the trauma of it all kept her from becoming a general.
I have no doubt that something happened. What state was she in, who was the senior officer, what state was he in, those are interesting questions but besides the point.
You are absolutely right about why she isn’t naming names- plus, she probably actually admired the guy (assuming it was a guy), and probably still does.
What she is getting after is a real thing- especially in the Air Force. The USAFA had a serious issue with sexual assault and rapes not too long ago, and it was probably worse when she was there. Air Force officers of a certain vintage have a reputation for being hypocritical evangelical Christians.
By the way, the Marines United issue was indeed a scandal and an embarrassment for the Marine Corps. Whether or not those women, many of whom were Marines, willingly sent their photos, they did not agree to have them shared randomly around the Corps, much less the internet. The Marines involved do not deserve towear the uniform, and I can’t believe anyone would defend them. To quote the Commandant at the time,
“So let me cut to the chase. When I hear allegations of Marines denigrating their fellow Marines, I don’t think such behavior is that of true warriors or warfighters.
Nail, meet hammer.
It really does come off bad defending Marines United, Dave. Regardless of the fact they sent nudes in the first place, they do, and should, expect enough respect to not have them plastered about the internet for the world to see. Should they send them? Probably not. Doesn’t change the fact that the photos were sent in confidence.
As for the article itself…not buying it. I believe others above me have clarified why far better than I could.
Not sure what exactly to do with this revelation or some of the responses to it. But will try to articulate something sensible anyway.
According to the article, she did report it, but at a later date. There should be some sort of paper trail on that. We do not know when or where the original act/s or the later report occurred. And we may never know, depending.
Sure, all criminal acts should be reported. Evidently when she did, by her account, what resulted supported her original decision to not report it. At least some of that should be verifiable by those above my pay grade and need to know.
The reality of all this is that rape is very different from most other crimes. Typically it is about power. Stealing and such are not and don’t usually involve threats of career destruction. None of that confirms the validity of her story, but she has made just enough claims which can be checked to give an air of believability to her story.
I dunno. Wasn’t there and have no access to reports which would support some of her story.
Superior Officer or Senior Officer? A superior officer could be one that was head and shoulders above others in accomplishment of the mission. A senior officer could be one that has 1 day date of rank over the other.
E.g., 2 shit hot competitive fighter pilots of the same rank at Weapons School who have a sarsparilla and do a mating dance in the sandbagged bunker in the Nellis O Club (there really is/was one) and then crossed the road to the Q. One happens to out rank the other by 1 day. “Junior” officer has morning regrets. Or maybe Senior officer was an asshole and raped a fellow service member.
Who knows. Might know if the “junior” officer had said something way back when and the incident investigated.
I read a few yrs ago she was a track star in HS & was coerced into a physical relationship with her adult coach. No mention of her telling school, but as I recall he was let go quickly later when rumors arose he was hitting on girls. Going “balls to the wall”achievement mode at USAF Academy in academics, track, flight school/fighter jock etc is suggestive to me of hyper-performance adaptation to these types of events as the female tries to regain and demonstrate control over prior unresolved & vulnerable events in their life. She eventually confronted the coach many years later as I recall.