Posted on Oct 24, 2014
SFC Intelligence Analyst   Atl
9.55K
12
8
3
3
0
Recruiters from the AK National Guard have been accused of sexual assault and providing alcohol to minors. They have been banned from the Anchorage school district and won't be able to return until after each individual is vetted by the superintendent. The Governor has fired his Adjutant General and the Deputy. According to one former Guard Soldier, this issue has been ongoing for many years. Is the governor's decision to remove his top officers too little too late?
Avatar feed
Responses: 5
CPT Aaron Kletzing
3
3
0
Edited 10 y ago
Assuming this article is accurate, behavior like this has no place in our Profession and is shameful. If this has been going on for some time behind the scenes, chances are some senior leaders at least heard whispers about it, at least informally -- as is so often the case. When you turn a blind eye, things don't just get better and take care of themselves. Being a leader is a privilege and not a right -- and as a leader you should make every effort to be engaged enough so as to not get blindsided by things like this.

This situation also shows how important it is culturally for a unit to have efficient, trustworthy internal reporting systems. Maybe some SMs didn't feel like they could trust their seniors if they blew the whistle. Maybe some SMs didn't feel like their seniors would care anyway. Maybe something else was the case. But regardless, you have to ask yourself why these issues didn't see the light of day until now.
(3)
Comment
(0)
SFC Intelligence Analyst   Atl
SFC (Join to see)
10 y
CPT Aaron Kletzing , I have to assume (hopefully correctly) that many of these issues and several like them, come to light when they do because there are politics at play. I hate to say it that way, but I believe it to be the case.

I agree that there is absolutely no place for this kind of behavior in our ranks. It is beyond shameful. Trust from those who are junior can be forever lost regardless of the integrity of their leaders. It destroys morale and unit effectiveness.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
MAJ Dallas D.
3
3
0
Sad - I had the unfortunate luck of being sent to Recruiting not once but twice, first as a detailed recruiter when I was enlisted and then I was sent back (Since of course I had the experience...) as an officer. I saw many things that really blew me away. I never understood how a NCO with a perfect record would get to recruiting and lose their minds. Everything from Sexual Abuse to cheating on the ASVAB. I can only sum it up with one word - Sad
(3)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PFC S4 Logistics Clerk
2
2
0
Being stationed in Alaska, we are told at inprocessing that sexual assault cases are extremely high here. I felt as if it was an exaggeration, but as time went on I would hear about something every week. It saddens me that Recrutiers, the Soldiers who our future soldiers are suppose to trust, are doing this.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close