– Two Dozen Generals and Admirals Investigated for Sexual Misconduct (AllGov, Jan 30, 2014):
If it’s not being criticized for failing to crackdown on sexual assaults, the U.S. military is enduring embarrassing revelations about senior commanders accused of sexual misconduct.
The Washington Post reports numerous generals and admirals have been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior ranging from assaults to having extramarital affairs.
“The embarrassing episodes are described in previously undisclosed files of military investigations into personal misconduct by U.S. generals and admirals,” the newspaper’s Craig Whitlock wrote. “Along with about two dozen other cases obtained by The Washington Post under the Freedom of Information Act, the investigations add to a litany of revelations about misbehaving brass that have dogged the Pentagon over the past 15 months and tarnished the reputation of U.S. military leadership.”
He added that of the 30 “partially redacted reports” received from the military, “a large majority concerned generals in the Army and Air Force.”
The Defense Department tried to address the problem two years ago, when then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta ordered a review of ethical standards for senior military officers. That effort apparently wasn’t enough, because “even more cases” surfaced following Panetta’s edict, according to Whitlock.
In December, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel issued his own directive for an ethics review, which is supposed to teach “core values and ethical leadership” to officers.
Among the cases uncovered by the newspaper were these:
Brigadier General Bryan T. Roberts, a commander at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, was investigated last year for having multiple affairs, and was found guilty by the Army of assaulting one of his mistresses. Roberts, who had publicly warned his troops that he has “zero tolerance for sexual harassment and sexual assault,” was fined $5,000 and reprimanded, but retained his military rank. His attorney said he will soon be retiring.
Martin P. Schweitzer, a commander with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, was caught sending emails to other generals about U.S. Representative Renee Ellmers (R-North Carolina), in which he said she was “smoking hot” and jokingly talked about explicit sexual acts he wanted to perform with her. Schweitzer’s anticipated promotion to major general is now on hold pending a formal review.
David C. Uhrich, a one-star Air Force general, was investigated for repeatedly drinking on duty and having an affair. He has received “verbal counseling” and remains on active duty, according to an Air Force spokeswoman.