Is Change Really Changing?

Come gather 'round people, wherever you roam
 And admit that the waters around you have grown
And accept it that soon you'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a changin'

Most of you know that old Bob Dylan tune from the 60's. It was sort of a theme for a generation telling their elders, and parents; "were not going to do things your way---We've caught you in the lie--- your values are value-less--- you're hypocritical, and we're going to make changes."  

In 2012 many survivors of sexual assault and rape in the military stated plain and simple, they couldn't get justice for the crimes perpetrated on them because their commanders saw them as the problem, or that the rape was their fault. The reward for their willingness to serve their country? They were thrown under the wheels of the great system of military justice, and in many cases with a less than honorable discharge.

Now with spotlight on the crime, the top brass of the military responses like a man found guilty of domestic violence. He shows up with flowers in hand, saying the right words and begs his battered spouse to take him back, or at least not file for divorce. Maybe he sheds a tear, gets down on his knees, and makes promises to go to anger management classes or wherever. "I'll change honey--- you'll see." Does this sound familiar? Now I know that I paint a pretty skeptical picture of our top brass's attempts to reform things, but after you've heard the talk, and seen the bruises, taken your best friend to the emergency room, helped her to make a police report, got the restraining order--- then he shows up with flowers and an apology, how would you react?

Come Senators, Congressmen

How does a Representative like Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) react?

The status quo in the military, is not the way to solve the problem of sexual abuse--- too often it is the problem. Every year that I've been in congress, the military brass has come to us and said that they would stop this abuse. Yet each year it seems to be getting worse.--- Despite the widespread public and congressional outrage, some top military officers still seem to resist the important fundamental changes to a culture that has clearly failed, in one of its most important missions--- keeping its own people safe, and the casuals are mounting everyday."

 Rep. Maloney, has sat on too many committees, heard the promises too many times, and she seems to be skeptical of any sincere change within the military chain of command. Granted, being a skeptic won't make you popular, but on this issue I think it's a little less costly to be skeptical than to be sorry. A friend tweeted several articles on sexual assault this week, among which was an article on the Navy's No. 2 officer being forced out.

 Robert Martinage,

"WASHINGTON — Acting Navy Undersecretary Robert Martinage, the department’s No. 2, has resigned under pressure, sources confirmed for Defense News.  The resignation, which Martinage announced to his staff Tuesday morning, came after allegations were made of inappropriate conduct with a subordinate woman, the sources confirmed." -Navy Times January 15, 2014

Another positive piece of news come from from the Army. On December 23, I saw an article about Lt.

Lt. Col. Celia FlorCruz

Col. Celia FlorCruz who has an assignment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. They have called on her to make the Army a better place by rooting out sexual assaults in the ranks. While I don't doubt her sincerity, I wonder how far the military will allow her to go in eradicating this behavior?

She’s the top sex assault prevention and response officer for the 7th Infantry Division, which includes the base’s main combat brigades.  It’s a high-profile position because reports of rising sex assaults have drawn the attention of lawmakers who’d like to change the military justice system so that commanders lose authority over prosecutions in such cases. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is integrating women into front-line combat jobs.- The News Tribune December 23, 2013

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/12/23/2962021/sex-assault-latest-target-for.html#storylink=cpy

On the surface, these look good--- positive steps to help stem this tide of sexual assault in the military. And hopefully they're not the "flowers in hand approach," the military is using to handle the public and the media. One of the reasons for my skepticism lies in plain old human behavior.  "A person to quick too repent with words is sometimes too slow to reform."  I've dealt with abuse victims and so-called reformers, and I've asked myself, "Is this change, or a fix?" A fix will get you past the the present situation, but is temporary, then when everything is back to normal, the abuse begins again.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)

"I have been in congress for seven terms now, and every single term we have had meetings with DOD, and they come in and confirm to us, 'were going to be serious--- were going to take care of this--- we're going to stop this--- zero tolerance!" But the rhetoric is not being turned into the reality of protecting our women, and in some cases, our men in our military." -Rep. Carolyn Maloney on Sexual Assault In the Military. The Invisible War

Mrs. Maloney has now been in office for almost 11 years, as she listens to the Pentagon and military brass spout the same thing.  Do you think she seems a little fed up?  If real change does happen, maybe she, more than anyone, might deserve the honor of saying, "well it's about damn time!"

Please Heed The Call

fight-combat ready GI Jane's

But while "the times they are a changin" with women going from pretty pin-up poster icons, and administrative assistance, to real "fight-combat ready GI Jane's," has the institution begun some real long over-due changes?  If they have, it could be partly because of an undeterred Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), who is determined to have her bill voted on some time maybe in February of this year.
"The Military Justice Improvement Act" would take decision to prosecute sexual assault and other capital cases out of the chain of command, and allow qualified experienced advocates to handle heinous crimes such as rape and murder. This would not hurt the authority of the military command in the Armed Forces. The process of justice would be handled by civil authorities. It seems like it's meant to be an effort to dispense equal and fair justice without anyone losing their position, their stars, birds, or bars.

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/12/23/2962021/sex-assault-latest-target-for.html#storylink=cpy

Don't Stand In The Doorway

Determined to fight on, Senator Gillibrand knows that in order for her bill to pass she needs at least 60 votes to make the change of how justice is dispensed in the ranks. The MJIA has been called "controversial" by some in the media and on Capitol Hill, for no other reason than it's never been done before. Some high ranking military brass believe it upsets a tradition originally given to George Washington in 1775 by Congress, to maintain "good order and discipline," and to undo that, would undo over two hundred and thirty-five years of history. Do you think the "Father of our Country" had this in mind when he made his request before Congress?

Obviously the great glory of "military order and discipline" could be the "Golden Calf"  of worship that some dance around. They seem to believe the structure founded by General Washington is more sacred than preserving and protecting the troops from harm? I don't think this is what Mr. Washington had in mind.

Claire McCaskill (D-Mo)

There are other bills being proposed at this time as well. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo) has written a bill containing more safe reforms. Commander accountability would be increased, survivors could challenge an unfair discharge from the military, and good military character would no longer be considered a defense. The McCaskill bill is not considered to be controversial, and has bipartisan support. It will no doubt make many only Capitol Hill happy, because it doesn't make too many waves. But is "easier" what is needed? Will the McCaskill bill only borrow time until the military does a slow drift back toward the rapids of injustice?

"The plan is noncontroversial, enjoys broad bipartisan support, and is expected to be adopted easily whenever it comes up for a vote.  That measure, however, doesn't include one of the most highly sought-after reforms by victim advocates: stripping the chain of command of its power to decide whether-sexual assault cases are prosecuted.  And that's the key switch Gillibrand is pushing for." -National Journal, January 12, 2014

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Undeterred with MJIA

But is the MJIA as controversial as it seems?  In some ways, it's playing catch up with what our own NATO Allies are enforcing across the globe in Australia, Canada, Israel, Germany, the UK.
For some in Congress like Carl Levin, Claire McCaskill, and Lindsey Graham, it's a scary high dive. But for many of those within the American military ranks, it seems the change would be a tremendous pay off.

One of our NATO Allies,  Lt. Gen. David Morrison, chief of staff of the Australian Defense Force took a message of change straight to the troops. Maybe if thing "are a changin" then maybe there should be a message like this one.

"Those who think that it is OK to behave in a way that demeans or exploits their colleagues have no place in this Army. Our service has been engaged in continuous operations since 1999, and in its longest war ever in Afghanistan. On all operations, female soldiers and officers have proven themselves worthy of the best traditions of the Australian Army. They are vital to us maintaining our capability, now and into the future.  If that does not suit you, then get out!"

So why is it so hard to speak the plain truth and go bare knuckled against unacceptable behavior in our ranks?  Perhaps a lack of plain old "moral cajones" are needed.  I won't elaborate. You get my drift.
Perhaps real change means some controversy is needed. The plain old guts to say, "this is wrong, we're not going allow this to keep happening."

The good news in all of this is, that we still have time to get petitions going, make calls to our Senators, Congressmen, and Representatives. We need to do it for those in the ranks right now, and for those kids, who want to serve in the future. Perhaps it will be your child, grandchild or someone you know. It's only controversial not because it's wrong, but because we dare not try it. 

A special thank you to Barbara Jackson (on Twitter @Nyota_nura ) for keeping me in the loop on the latest with the MJIA Thanks for your tweets Barbara!
Other Sources:
Navy Times- Navy's Acting No. 2 Official Forced Out
The News Tribune- Sex Assault Latest Target For Military Trailblazer
National Journal- Kirsten Gillibrand Struggling in Her Fight Over Military Sexual Assault

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/12/23/2962021/sex-assault-latest-target-for.html#storylink=cpy