Introduction
The Army creates a harsh environment in which men and women are exposed to extended hours. It is one of the most patriarchal and violent fields, so harassment and sexual assault are common in the military. In addition, military conditions are psychologically demanding, so victims of violence experience additional stress and strain that prevents them from quickly recognizing the violence. Measures are needed to counteract violence and harassment in the military because many cases are reported.
Arguments
Vanessa Guillen’s Case
Vanessa Guillen’s case is one illustrative case demonstrating the urgency of the problem of violence in the military. This event took place in late April 2020, when U.S. Army soldier Vanessa Guillen was found beaten to death. The murder occurred at Fort Hood, Texas, and was handled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and several Army investigative commands. The circumstances of the murder are that Vanessa Guillen suffered because another soldier, Aaron David Robinson, repeatedly sexually assaulted the victim, after which he dismembered her. In addition, Vanessa has often stated that the Army command does not take her case seriously and denies the allegations (Jones & Sanchez, 2020). Vanessa’s remains were not found until 2.5 months after the incident, and an attempt to arrest the killer occurred on July 1, but Robinson shot himself (Jones & Sanchez, 2020). The investigation revealed that the motive was jealousy and a violation of Army fraternity rules. The case shows that the imperfection of the military and the supervision of violence is reflected in the denial of problems, the length of investigations, and the lack of decisive action.
Captain Billy Crosby’s Case
Captain Billy Crosby’s case refers to the kind of behavior that senior comrades in the military allow themselves to engage in against junior officers and NCOs. In May 2021, Captain Billy Crosby deemed it appropriate to produce verbal harassment toward a woman who was preparing for a new rank initiation ceremony. According to the case file, Crosby humiliated the soldier when he expressed a desire to “motorboat” the woman because she seemed attractive to him (Kime, 2022). The victim expressed outrage, and witnesses joined her in condemning the captain’s behavior, which was inconsistent with his status and sexist and offensive. Moreover, it is reported that the captain performed some acts involving touching someone else’s secondary sexual characteristics (breasts), so his case was referred to the official jurisdiction of the National Guard and Congressional Bureau (Kime, 2022). Crosby was sentenced to imprisonment and early retirement. The case of Captain Billy Crosby shows that there continues to be a vertical power system in the military that uses status to exceed authority. In addition, the case serves as a reminder that the Army is part of an imperfect patriarchal sphere of activity.
Counterargument
Some critics may argue that violence is not as prevalent in the military and that the injured victims are to blame for what happened. It manifests patriarchy and sexism, which is always more profitable to disadvantage victims and makes them look guilty of death or violence. This is due to a desire to absolve oneself of the blame for a supposedly innocent act and an unwillingness to take responsibility for sexism. Regarding the prevalence of sexual assault in the military, about 8.4% of women and only 1.5% of men have been sexually harassed at least once (DOD News, 2022). This data only further indicates the urgency of the problem of violence, which requires an urgent response.
Conclusion
Thus, the military’s prevalence of violence and harassment cannot be denied. The cases of Vanessa Guillen, who was murdered for sexual misconduct, and Captain Billy Crosby, who used verbal and physical harassment against a woman, confirm the problem. In both cases, there was silence and disregard for the problem, but somehow it was solved in favor of the victims.
References
DOD News. (2022). DOD takes proactive measures as sexual assault annual report numbers released. Los Angeles Air Force Base. Web.
Jones, K., & Sanchez, R. (2020). Pfc. Vanessa Guillen bludgeoned to death on Army base, family attorney says. CNN US. Web.
Kime, P. (2022). Guard officer allowed to retire with benefits after ‘Motorboating’ subordinate. Military. Web.