Military Justice is served... Sort of
Published Tue, Dec 12 2006 3:07 PM
Technorati Tags: News and Politics
The Associated Press, via the Seattle Post Intelligencer reports on a plea deal in the case of a woman who went AWOL because of sexual harassment.
The Army has reached a deal with a military policewoman from Oregon who walked away from her post and refused to return to Iraq because she said she was sexually harassed by other officers.
Army Spc. Suzanne Swift, 22, of Eugene, had been scheduled for a special court-martial next month for missing movement and being absent without leave.
In a deal reached Dec. 7, Swift agreed to plead guilty to the charges, Fort Lewis officials said Monday. Under the agreement, Swift avoids the possibility of a federal conviction on her record and will remain eligible for an honorable discharge once she completes her five years' service.
...
The maximum punishment is less severe than the 12 months confinement and bad-conduct discharge Swift faced if convicted in a special court-martial, said Greg Gagne, Swift's attorney.
Her maximum punishment now is a reduction in rank, to private, forfeiture of two-thirds salary for one month and 30 days confinement.
"There's no punitive discharge available, so she can" continue her military career, Gagne said.
Swift also would be reassigned to a new post, with an opportunity for a new job, he said.
...
The Army substantiated Swift's allegation against a soldier at Fort Lewis.
That soldier later left the Army after receiving a written reprimand from his battalion commander and being reassigned to another unit.
It seems Spc. Swift had good reason for going AWOL. She is guilty, and she should receive punishment, but I believe that there were definitely mitigating circumstances.
On the other hand, a "written reprimand" for sexual harassment seems a bit of a slap on the wrist. The Fort Lewis soldier that harassed Spc. Swift should have faced a special court-martial as well.
So, justice is served, at least in part.
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Angel responded with:
 | hiya Perri!..we knew these events were bound to happen if women were side by side with men in the military..geez!..I agree..a court martial would be in order! good read!:) |
Flag Gazer responded with:
 | There is always more to the story than we ever learn. But, I can add a few other things, since we've gotten non-stop coverage of this mess from our very sympathetic press.
Her mother is a stanuch anti-war activist in Eugene, Oregon. She holds most of the Sheehan-esque rallies in Oregon and was working on supporting Ehren Watada prior to this issue with her daughter.
It seems Suzanne was harrassed by several men she came in contact with that had rank over her in both Iraq and Fort Lewis, but never filed any complaints.
The whole thing just keeps smelling like fish to me - on so many levels.
That said, if one of those guys did rape her, as our newspapers have said, I hope he rots in hell.
PS - Welcome to the Wednesday Hero Blogroll!! |
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