MADISON, Wis. – Military sexual assault prevention and response programs have gained attention over the past year as a Department of Defense report shows an increase in reported sexual assaults. Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar, Wisconsin adjutant general, has made it clear the issue is a top priority in the Wisconsin National Guard as well.

“There is no place for sexual assault in the Wisconsin National Guard,” Dunbar said. “We will not look the other way.”

Over the past few months, Dunbar and other senior Wisconsin National Guard leaders have visited every Wisconsin National Guard unit and facility to convey that simple, unmistakable message.

Currently, the Wisconsin National Guard’s sexual assault prevention and response program provides sexual assault and domestic violence victims with emergency response assistance, counseling and therapy referrals, personal and systemic advocacy, and access to applicable benefits. But as of Oct. 1, Wisconsin National Guard members coping with the unthinkable crime of being sexually assaulted by a fellow service member have a new advocate.

Fort Hood, area leaders come together to tackle issue of domestic violence

On November 2, 2013November 2, 2013 By AdministratorIn Army, Domestic Violence, Felony CrimeLeave a comment

Domestic violence is a significant, serious issue for Fort Hood Soldiers and Families. The impact of violence on children and Families causes damage that spans lifetimes and even generations. As a result, the issue has the direct attention of Bell County and Maj. Gen. Anthony Ierardi, commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division and senior commander at Fort Hood.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month at Fort Hood. The focus given by military leaders on this critical matter both heightens community awareness and highlights the support available to those affected by violence in the home.

ACLU Challenges Ongoing Exclusion of Women from Combat Positions

On November 2, 2013November 2, 2013 By AdministratorIn Military PolicyLeave a comment

ACLU Challenges Ongoing Exclusion of Women from Combat Positions

Careers of Plaintiffs Continue to Be Hindered Despite Announced Repeal of 1994 Combat Exclusion Directive

SAN FRANCISCO–(ENEWSPF)–October 31, 2013. Four service women and the Service Women’s Action Network filed an amended complaint today in their lawsuit against the Department of Defense for its ongoing blanket exclusion of women from thousands of ground combat positions. The plaintiffs originally filed a lawsuit challenging the DoD’s ban on women in combat positions last year with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Northern California, and the law firm Munger, Tolles &; Olson LLP.

Attention all Airmen: AF holds sexual assault offenders accountable, convictions now online

On November 1, 2013November 15, 2016 By AdministratorIn Military Policy, USAFLeave a comment

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — You’ve heard a lot lately about the topic of sexual assault. You will continue to hear a lot about it in the weeks and months ahead. It’s important that each Air Force member understands the importance of the Air Force addressing and solving this real issue.

Each allegation of a criminal offense must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In court, the court members and military judge must exercise their independent judgment in determining the facts of a particular case and, if the accused is guilty, determine an appropriate punishment. When a person is found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, it’s often possible to identify recurring themes and risks. In that way, we can all work together to protect ourselves, protect each other and combat the problem head on.

To this end, the Air Force now publishes sexual assault convictions online. Anyone can go to the website and review more than 100 sexual assault convictions from across the Air Force. After a few minutes of reviewing the facts of the cases that resulted in a conviction, you will soon see many cases are very similar – they involve: the use of alcohol; the absence of personal respect for the victim; and the absence of the victim’s consent.

Former Marine Sentenced to Federal Prison

On October 31, 2013October 31, 2013 By AdministratorIn Felony Crime, USMCLeave a comment

Former Marine Sentenced to Federal Prison

A former Marine staff sergeant who accepted $150,000 from military contractors while deployed in Iraq was sentenced Friday to more than five years in federal prison.

Gilbert Mendez, 37, from Camp Lejeune, N.C., pleaded guilty last December to conspiracy to defraud the United States.

In handing down the 63-month sentence, U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino told Mendez that he “breached his honor and his integrity” and that his conduct impacted not only the Marine Corps but every U.S. taxpayer.

DoD personnel chief: New job-specific physical standards being drafted

On October 31, 2013October 31, 2013 By AdministratorIn Military PolicyLeave a comment

DoD personnel chief: New job-specific physical standards being drafted

Opening up the combat arms career fields for women will result in a new array of job-specific physical standards that will apply to both men and women, the Pentagon’s top personnel and readiness official said Tuesday.

“You, as the man or woman, need to carry your load. So when we develop the standard, the standard is not just going to be for the females. The standard is going to be the standard,” said Jessica Wright, acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.

Wright is overseeing the process of opening up all military jobs to women by 2016, including more than 200,000 billets that make up the core of the ground-level combat forces in the Army and Marine Corps. The four services are developing a new set of job-specific physical standards.

Commandant Accused of Asserting Unlawful Influence

On October 31, 2013October 31, 2013 By AdministratorIn USMCLeave a comment

Commandant Accused of Asserting Unlawful Influence

A group of 27 retired and former Marine Corps and Navy judge advocates and officers are asking Congress to investigate allegations that Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James F. Amos used his power to improperly influence legal proceedings following a scandal that arose after a group of Marines were filmed urinating on the corpses of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan in 2011.

Air Force lawyers draw fire over sexual assault policy

On October 31, 2013November 2, 2013 By AdministratorIn Military Policy, Sexual Assault, USAFLeave a comment

Air Force lawyers draw fire over sexual assault policy

Top Air Force lawyers are under fire after urging subordinates to rally against a Senate proposal that would overhaul the military’s sexual assault policies.

A letter obtained by POLITICO shows Lt. Gen. Richard Harding, the Air Force judge advocate general, and Col. Jeffrey Rockwell, urging their fellow military lawyers to take sides against a Senate amendment expected to come up for a floor vote before Thanksgiving that removes the command chain from major criminal prosecutions.

Lawmaker sustains 6-month hold on 3-star’s nomination

On October 30, 2013October 30, 2013 By AdministratorIn Military Policy, Sexual Assault, USAFLeave a comment

Lawmaker sustains 6-month hold on 3-star’s nomination

For six months, a prominent Democratic lawmaker has blocked Lt. Gen. Susan Helms’ nomination to be vice commander of Space Command, making it unlikely that she will ever be confirmed.

Helms continues to serve as commander of 14th Air Force. Lt. Gen. John Hyten has already been confirmed to replace her, but the Air Force is waiting for Helms to be confirmed before moving forward, Air Force spokesman Capt. Adam Gregory said. Helms’ nomination will expire in January 2015.

Both Helms and Hyten declined to comment for this story, Gregory said.

Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri first objected to Helms nomination in April and then reaffirmed her stance in June, citing Helms’ decision to overturn the sex assault conviction of a captain at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., in February 2012.

Marine Corps Veteran Justin Eldridge Died by Suicide in Connecticut Home; Battled PTSD & TBI After Deployment to Afghanistan (October 29, 2013)

On October 29, 2013October 30, 2019 By AdministratorIn Armed Forces, In Their Name, Military Policy, PTSD, TBI, Mental Illness, Suicide, USMC, VeteransLeave a comment

Marine Corps veteran Justin Eldridge was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in his Waterford, Connecticut home on October 29, 2013. Justin served in the Marine Corps for 8 1/2 years. After a deployment to Afghanistan he battled with both Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. As a result he was medically retired from the Marine Corps in 2008. Justin was married with four children at the time of his death. Justin’s wife Joanna has continued the fight for our soldiers and veterans. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) honored Justin Eldridge on the Senate Floor and co-sponsored a veteran suicide prevention bill in his name. Joanna attended the 2015 State of the Union and a bipartisan suicide prevention bill was signed into law in March 2015.

His final message, posted on his Facebook Page at about 9 p.m., “theres only so much bashing someone can take before they react………” –Waterford Patch (October 29, 2013)

Senator Richard Blumenthal Honors US Marine Justin Eldridge:

In a Senator Floor speech today, Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal honors the heroism of United States Marine Justin Eldridge of Waterford, tragic victim of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder who took his own life two days ago. (October 30, 2013)

MILITARY JUSTICE FOR ALL

Tag: 2013

Wisconsin National Guard launches dedicated counsel program for sexual assault victims

Fort Hood, area leaders come together to tackle issue of domestic violence

ACLU Challenges Ongoing Exclusion of Women from Combat Positions

Attention all Airmen: AF holds sexual assault offenders accountable, convictions now online

Former Marine Sentenced to Federal Prison

DoD personnel chief: New job-specific physical standards being drafted

Commandant Accused of Asserting Unlawful Influence

Air Force lawyers draw fire over sexual assault policy

Lawmaker sustains 6-month hold on 3-star’s nomination

Marine Corps Veteran Justin Eldridge Died by Suicide in Connecticut Home; Battled PTSD & TBI After Deployment to Afghanistan (October 29, 2013)

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