Alaska National Guard Sex Abuse Scandal

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 08:30:40 -0400

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?

Alaska National Guard slammed for sex abuse scandals, giving alcohol to HS girls

Alaska might be the last Wild West of America, but there are still some things that will not be tolerated, overlooked or condoned.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Oct 24 at 2014 9:51 AM

SGT Richard H. — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 09:51:52 -0400

I haven't read any other articles to cross-check facts, but based on this one it sounds like a whole lot of "too little, too late".

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2014 3:40 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 03:40:01 -0400

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.

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made Nov 3 at 2014 8:34 AM

MAJ Dallas D. — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 08:34:48 -0500

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

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 3 at 2014 8:39 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 08:39:39 -0500

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.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 16 at 2018 7:48 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 19:48:07 -0400

Sometimes folks with power let it get to their heads and think they wont get caught.