I’ve never been in the military, but my husband was a LPN (E-5) for 8 years. There was a really bad case of harassment involving a E-3 female (married to another soldier) and an E-7 male. When the female soldier’s husband was away on training exercises, this E-7 was really going after her - to the extent that it was obvious to others on the ward. He actually showed up drunk at her apartment and demanded that she let him in because he “had some training stuff to go over with her”. Nothing was done to this guy - nothing. The female was transferred to a different floor of the hospital. All of the soldiers on the ward were prepared to testify in favor of the female; there was no hearing. No punishment for him. Nada.
Did the transfer end the problems in your example, Snakescatslady?
This reminds me of one of the most annoying things from the post-Tailhook sexual harassment training that we got. The training, at the time, involved case studies and group discussions. The cases were meant to be examples of what sexual harassment was, and what could happen to people for doing it. Granted, after Tailhook, the need to get this out meant it had to be shoved through quickly. But, some of the cases they chose were just as damning as anything that happened at Tailhook.
The one case I recall most clearly (And this is about 15 years ago, so I have to confess my memory might be suspect.) involved a case where a young unrated female enlisted (E1-E3) was ordered by the CDO (Command Duty Officer - and a Commander, either O4 or O5) of her ship to kiss him. She did, and then reported it to her LPO. The complaint went up the chain, and the CDO was justly punished: he got a letter of reprimand.
I had two thoughts when I heard this incident. First, was skepticism that kissing was all that was ordered; second was the thought I shared when the case was opened for discussion: “Sounds like a khaki just got away with something a blue-shirt would have fried for!”*
I know a letter of reprimand is usually the kiss of death for an officer’s career, but it’s not a current punishment, simply a sign that the officer doesn’t warrant further responsibility. The idea that this represented the Navy’s idea of proper punishment really pissed me off. Especially a proper punishment used for effing training! It did do a lot to cement my feelings about institutional sexism in the Navy.
When we got to the next year’s Sexual Harasssment training, for some reason this incident was no longer part of the syllabus.
*Why, yes, at this point in my time in the Navy I had a pretty miserable opinion of commissioned officers, and one not much better for chiefs. I’m sure Monty will be here, soon, to assure you it’s just another one of my ficticious sea stories, however, so no need to get riled by it.
I really don’t know, because what Mr. SCL knew about the harassment came from the female soldier, and after her transfer he really didn’t have occasion to talk with her. Tripler Army Medical Center is a BIG hospital.
I do know the E-7 was quite the conceited jerk when I met him at Mr. SCL’s going away party.