Half of National Guard detachment investigated for sex with ‘young’ prostitutes overseas

2015-10-30T14:45:20-04:00

From Popular Military:

Members of a Tennessee National Guard unit are being accused of “dishonorable conduct” while they were on an aid mission overseas –in an area of Africa known for human trafficking.

The US Army has launched a criminal investigation into the actions of the 775th Engineering Detachment- from Jackson, TN.

The unit was sent to the horn of Africa to help dig water wells in and around Camp Lemmonier in Djibouti, and across the border in Ethiopia.

The Tennessee soldiers allegedly disregarded warnings from a captain, “That there was an issue with human trafficking in the area.”

A military investigation revealed that the soldiers were given training in early July and were told about the human trafficking issue, and that “women often ended up stranded in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, while trying to make it over to the Middle East.”

During that training they were told, “not to engage in using prostitutes.” But it looks like some of the soldiers didn’t heed the warnings. Before and after the training, military investigators found “probable cause” that 9 of the 19 soldiers had sex with prostitutes either at an off-base residence in Djibouti or at the Samrat Hotel in Dire Dawa.

Regional experts say poverty on that part of the continent makes people desperate, and it’s not uncommon for them to try and ‘eke out a living’ by selling themselves.

A local prostitute, Tina, told a photographer in an interview, “The best is to find an American soldier” She continued to say “The French are the most generous clients; they pay for our apartments so that we don’t have to work. But sooner or later, they all go back to their wives.”

One sergeant blurted out during interviews later on, that “several women were younger than his daughter.” But the age of his daughter was blacked out in the documents obtained by WSMV.

One lieutenant reportedly did do something after seeing the soldiers bring prostitutes back to their hotel rooms. The documents show that a lieutenant said “senior leaders” were taking prostitutes to a room where their weapons and secret documents were stored, and where a secure communications system was kept.

Many believe the soldiers also committed security violations while engaging in this “dishonorable conduct.”

But during interviews, the soldiers claimed that no classified material was compromised.

Some of the soldiers have hired attorneys and are not talking. Many of them did not want to give up their phones, which may contain evidence of criminal actions.

Human trafficking experts say the National Guard needs to explain what happened.

“To perpetuate that absolutely counters everything that we should be there to do,” said Derri Smith, executive director of End Slavery, an anti-human trafficking nonprofit. “I think it if was your daughter or your niece, you would think it was a big deal,” Smith said.

© 2015 Bright Mountain, LLC

More here: http://popularmilitary.com/half-of-national-guard-detachment-investigated-for-sex-with-young-prostitutes-overseas/

Members of a Tennessee National Guard unit are being accused of "dishonorable conduct" while they were on an aid mission overseas.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 30 at 2015 2:46 PM

2015-10-30T14:46:26-04:00

That is sad news especially at this time.
I would hope young soldiers would be more disciplined. I certainly hope that the corporate behavior of this particular unit is an anomaly. I think the vast majority of our military service men and women behavior honourably and have proper discipline especially while deployed.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 30 at 2015 2:52 PM

2015-10-30T14:52:49-04:00

IF proven true, relief for causes should flow like water, and the UCMJ should be used to prosecute those guilty to the max. No room for this in MY Army, or the military in general.

BTW...this is another reason why extra terrestrial life constantly skips earth.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2015 2:53 PM

2015-10-30T14:53:56-04:00

Good job and way to recognize you state and unit.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2015 3:11 PM

2015-10-30T15:11:14-04:00

And yet, it is these kinds of actions that cause leaders to have to create personal oversight of their Soldiers (almost to the point of micromanaging.....or babysitting if you will), and then the Soldiers complaining of being babysat. These Soldiers were told to keep their fly up and closed. They disobeyed that order. Any and all judicial punishment that can come their way will certainly be warranted.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2015 3:12 PM

2015-10-30T15:12:34-04:00

I think I will stay away from this one! Won't be a very nice outcome I'm afraid!

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Oct 30 at 2015 3:34 PM

2015-10-30T15:34:56-04:00

See, this is why we can't have nice things! Year after year, we ALL take the Human Trafficking classes and yet, when the rubber meets the road, some Soldiers continue to do the wrong thing. I hope EVERYONE involved gets equal punishment...

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Oct 30 at 2015 5:16 PM

2015-10-30T17:16:05-04:00

Willing to bet that Tennessee Guard bureau is not happy. WOW. Guarantee that proverbial heads will roll, as they should.
Embarrassing for the State, the Guard, the Army and the military.
And, if it turns out that they (prostitutes) were underage, despicable. You can argue all day about whether or not prostitution is a crime, that is not the question in this case-child prostitution is the question.
Human trafficking is a horrible crime, perpetrated by animals who victimize these children.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Oct 30 at 2015 5:30 PM

2015-10-30T17:30:14-04:00

And this surprises who?

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Oct 30 at 2015 5:50 PM

2015-10-30T17:50:20-04:00

Wow...

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Oct 30 at 2015 6:02 PM

2015-10-30T18:02:01-04:00

They were there to drill wells, not desperate underage girls--but apparently that has to be defined for them using PowerPoints and handouts. A court martial or 9 should do the 'trick'...

Response by PO1 John Miller made Oct 30 at 2015 11:01 PM

2015-10-30T23:01:10-04:00

I must admit that in my younger, dumber, single days, I engaged the services of a prostitute multiple times. First off I'm lucky I'm not dead or infected with an STD. Secondly, I'm fairly confident that none of my "dates" were under 18. I can't say 100% because I never asked for ID, but still...

I'm not making excuses either. In this day and age, what with all the Human Trafficking PowerPoints, these Soldiers knew better and if proven guilty should be punished.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2015 4:18 AM

2015-10-31T04:18:16-04:00

I know a lot about this whole story, and it is indeed a sordid affair that had real consequences. There were quite a number of senior Soldiers involved in this.
For the Soldiers, the consequence was getting thrown out of theater. There was talk that they'd be subject to UCMJ from the TN Guard when they went home, but I have not heard that any occurred.
For JTF-HOA, the consequence was that well-drilling operations were disrupted and many not completed. The wells being dug were in arid and desolate areas where nomads had been supplied by a UN program dropping off barrels of water in the boonies. Many of those wells will never be finished.
For the USA, the consequence was ejection from Ethiopia, disrupting activities there and in nearby nations. This required an awful lot of scrambling in order to cover the gap, and among other things resulted in the CJTF-HOA CG getting relieved.
For the women, their circumstances are bad. Really bad. Many are just in places like Dire Dawa while on the way to Saudi Arabia through Yemen. Once they get there, their future is bleak indeed.

One thing that I can't fathom is what kind of dumb ass do you have to be to engage with a prostitute in EAST AFRICA where the HIV infection rate is between 10 and 30%? You can bet the infection rate is going to be higher among hookers.
These morons need to get the book thrown at them. Through their actions, they not only committed a crime that all of us should agree is a terrible one, but they caused real damage to ongoing activities in the region.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 11:26 AM

2015-11-01T11:26:55-05:00

Humans are the worst thing that ever happened to this planet and this kind of behavior shows it.

No hope for the Human Race

Cant go to

Elementry School:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Hook_Elementary_School_shooting
High School:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_High_School_massacre
Collage:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umpqua_Community_College_shooting
movies:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Aurora_shooting
Church:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charleston_church_shooting

Good Job

WTF

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 11:27 AM

2015-11-01T11:27:57-05:00

Screw Them

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Nov 1 at 2015 11:47 AM

2015-11-01T11:47:24-05:00

Sounds like the entire unit was out of control if what the Lieutenant said about senior leaders partaking in this is true. I would bet money that is that is true, the senior leaders get off with less than then junior personnel. At first I wondered how would they have the off-post access to make this happen. But if senior personnel were involved, that makes it easier to understand. Goes to show that no matter how much training you do on SHARP, CTIP, etc., if people don't buy into those values it will never work.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 12:04 PM

2015-11-01T12:04:26-05:00

Speechless

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Nov 1 at 2015 12:32 PM

2015-11-01T12:32:51-05:00

If true, this is a display of terrible judgement and behavior

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 12:43 PM

2015-11-01T12:43:31-05:00

Did none of them see what happened to the secret service detachment in Columbia?

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Nov 1 at 2015 12:49 PM

2015-11-01T12:49:41-05:00

Calling Captain Reneault! Captain Reneault, come in please! I'm shocked to find soldiers consorting with ladies of ill repute!

First, I got it. Human trafficking is bad. And it sounds like many soldiers violated orders and deserved to be punished. The leadership, in this case, an oxymoron of the highest order possible, deserve courts-martial proceedings and the soldiers FG Art. 15's.
Second, has the Army made the prostitutes in South Korea off limits? Granted for me, its been a long time since I've been there so I'm out of the loop.
Lastly, has the Army made prostitutes all around the world off limits as well?
DOD personnel having paid 'dates' around the world is the dirty little secret that the Armed Services have turned a blind eye to for a very long time. However, if they haven't done this in every place and clime, then DOD has a problem.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 1:07 PM

2015-11-01T13:07:10-05:00

That mission was in 2009. First I've heard of any of his and I'm in the TNARNG.....

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Nov 1 at 2015 1:09 PM

2015-11-01T13:09:54-05:00

Are they insane? Sex with a prostitute in East Africa? HIV is rampant there. Very high percentages of prostitutes have it & their age doesn't matter here. It sounds like not only a failure of individual troops but their command as well. If they get bad conduct discharges while on active duty, no VA benefits & treatment for HIV/AIDs or even some of the other diseases from over there cost huge amounts of money. Nobody will help them. Don't even get me start on how much they violated the mission either.

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 1:12 PM

2015-11-01T13:12:17-05:00

Guys in the military getting prostitutes. How is this even news? Stupid to do it in Africa, but this happens almost everywhere the military goes. It's nothing new.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Nov 1 at 2015 1:17 PM

2015-11-01T13:17:59-05:00

RallyPoint Shared Content Only half?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 1:29 PM

2015-11-01T13:29:49-05:00

Seriously?? If your senior leaders are taking part..... what do you think is going to happen?...... your unit will fall apart when there is no moral compass.... "One lieutenant reportedly did do something after seeing the soldiers bring prostitutes back to their hotel rooms. The documents show that a lieutenant said “senior leaders” were taking prostitutes to a room where their weapons and secret documents were stored, and where a secure communications system was kept."

Response by SPC(P) Christopher Cooke made Nov 1 at 2015 2:07 PM

2015-11-01T14:07:08-05:00

Let their HIV tests be the judge and jury

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 2:33 PM

2015-11-01T14:33:58-05:00

This is a bad situation.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 2:59 PM

2015-11-01T14:59:37-05:00

I don't know why this is surprising. Here we have a bunch of civilians playing soldier, being in a foreign country with nothing but time on their hands. I know active duty isn't without its issues, butnit seems these NG units keep running into stuff like this. Just another reason to keep them in the states as they are intended.

Response by Capt Errol Flynn made Nov 1 at 2015 3:14 PM

2015-11-01T15:14:49-05:00

How come nobody is outraged when soldiers from all the other UN "peacekeepers" do far worse to the women and children in poor countries? Oh right, they aren't Americans.

Response by 1SG Adais Garcia made Nov 1 at 2015 3:30 PM

2015-11-01T15:30:03-05:00

Prosecut all of them and start relieving all of the higher Echelon

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 1 at 2015 3:51 PM

2015-11-01T15:51:12-05:00

The allegations here are pretty horrible.

Response by SPC David Abbott made Nov 1 at 2015 5:11 PM

2015-11-01T17:11:22-05:00

Pretty dumb thing,especially in Ethiopia.."Let's deploy ,risk catching AIDs...and return it...." ..Nasty Guard
Parttime troops being full out stupid!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 7:37 PM

2015-11-01T19:37:50-05:00

And Soldiers wonder why they are put on lockdown when they go TDY. It's because of irresponsible units like this one.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 7:53 PM

2015-11-01T19:53:04-05:00

This photo was taken in 06-07 Iraq at a WWE event on COB Speicher. The Soldiers in the picture from the 97th MP Bn have nothing to do with the story. Poor image choice

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 8:19 PM

2015-11-01T20:19:24-05:00

9 of 19! How many were Senior Leaders? What rank where they? This is an incredible black eye to the Army National Guard. It is beyond me that any soldier would think this ok knowing all we do now about human sex trafficking!

Response by SGT Kent Peterson made Nov 1 at 2015 9:46 PM

2015-11-01T21:46:56-05:00

I'd love to see us quit sending National Guard troops overseas unless absolutely necessary. I think they've been misused for quite some time now. We have full-time military personnel for a reason.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Nov 1 at 2015 10:20 PM

2015-11-01T22:20:55-05:00

As I see it:

[1] disobedience of orders
[2] breaches of operational security
[3] breaches of the UCMJ
[4] (potential) statutory rape
[5] (potential) accessory to human trafficking
plus
[6] (potential) self infliction of injuries (if they catch anything).

On the other hand, as many people have said, "Soldiers have been doing it since Caesar made Lance Corporal.".

Solution?

[OK put on your "OMG I am so shocked and offended." tee shirts now.]

Have the military run its own brothels.

After all, the military has been doing THAT since Caesar made Recruit.

In the meantime, the Tennessee unit has to be given a good shake, and so does the Tennessee National Guard personnel who are responsible for ensuring that the training and discipline of the Tennessee National Guard is up to the mandated standards.

Response by SPC John Lanning made Nov 1 at 2015 11:48 PM

2015-11-01T23:48:16-05:00

They should make it clear which type of drilling that was authorized, apparently they got them confused.......

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 1:25 AM

2015-11-02T01:25:37-05:00

You have to remember the National Guard protect their own...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 1:26 AM

2015-11-02T01:26:25-05:00

You have to remember the National Guard protect their own, so nothing will come of it....just watch.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 2:17 AM

2015-11-02T02:17:33-05:00

Wow, talk about click-bait. The link on Facebook was titled, "Tennessee National Guard Out of Control - Under Investigation". That made it sound like the whole state did something wrong, but no, it's really only about 9 soldiers -_-

Response by LCpl Ash Carson made Nov 2 at 2015 3:51 AM

2015-11-02T03:51:23-05:00

Keep it classy guys!!! That is just no good

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Nov 2 at 2015 6:42 AM

2015-11-02T06:42:48-05:00

I'm glad they didn't dig this deep this back in the day. I think the percentage of participants might have been closer to 100% (not speaking of the horn of Africa per say). That has been the case since armies were formed and moved across the landscape. Why do we think it would be any different now than it was then especially with the over sexualized culture we live in today?

Almost any prostitute in a foreign country (especially an underdeveloped one) is being trafficked. Women typically do not end up as prostitutes because they have lots of options. Some/many are being brought here and trafficked as well. Partaking in this is poor behavior and certainly senior leaders should be setting the example, not being it. Prosecuting troops for this might be excessive unless they were compromising mission or classified info etc.

Response by COL Jeff Williams made Nov 2 at 2015 6:45 AM

2015-11-02T06:45:53-05:00

stupid is as stupid does

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 8:29 AM

2015-11-02T08:29:40-05:00

National guard.... If we put our trousers on straight its a good day. Failure of leadership is the norm for guard units, accountability is rare. I'm disappointed, but far from surprised.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 8:52 AM

2015-11-02T08:52:47-05:00

What happens when people open there mouth

Response by SSG Ray Petersen made Nov 2 at 2015 9:49 AM

2015-11-02T09:49:55-05:00

I say upon investigation and if found true, throw the book at EVERYONE, no benefits, no retirement, NOTHING... I don't care if they are a private, or even a 4 star General... this is a disgrace to have to read this garbage. Makes me sick honestly

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 10:08 AM

2015-11-02T10:08:29-05:00

well... if I am single and young ...I might end up like them ...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 10:43 AM

2015-11-02T10:43:15-05:00

I haven't heard anything on this before now, but it looks like to me a bunch of soldiers without leadership and discipline within their Company! I hate to see crap like this and sounds like these guys need a 1SG that will put the fear of God into them!

Response by SGT Leon Brimm made Nov 2 at 2015 10:57 AM

2015-11-02T10:57:35-05:00

Figures I get out the National Guard and Ill be damned if they dont go on a whore finding mission...why did I get out? lol.

Response by SN J W made Nov 2 at 2015 11:48 AM

2015-11-02T11:48:43-05:00

So we're now reduced to excoriating(and worse?) young soldiers for using prostitutes?.....And yes, I read some of the rationalizing comments down below. A lot of yes men out there.....sad. To see what has become of not only our military, but our civilization in general. Don't worry, we will all pay for it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 11:57 AM

2015-11-02T11:57:28-05:00

Considering that East African prostitutes have a greater than 70% HIV infection rate, these scumbags may get more punishment than they thought possible.

Response by SSG David Kaelin made Nov 2 at 2015 12:01 PM

2015-11-02T12:01:03-05:00

Meh....

Not all prostitutes are sex slaves.

I see nothing wrong with prostitution. It has been with us for as long as humans have been "civilized."

Response by SSG David Kaelin made Nov 2 at 2015 12:15 PM

2015-11-02T12:15:17-05:00

This might be the dumbest thread that I've seen on Rally Point.

Hyperbole abounds...

I had no idea that the Army was infected by Political Correctness so deeply.

The wimpish attitudes on this thread are exactly the reason that Iraq was lost and why Afghanistan is being lost.

If these folks represent the US Military, God help us. Our military is now full on wimpish cowards.

Response by SGT Bradley L. made Nov 2 at 2015 12:24 PM

2015-11-02T12:24:22-05:00

Not all that surprising. The LT out to get a promotion and everyone else should get the book thrown at them. Court Martials all the way around with time at Levonworth.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 12:30 PM

2015-11-02T12:30:30-05:00

I remember not so long ago this was overlooked. Most of the time it was senior leaders that lead the way with this action. Glad to see times are changing.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 1:46 PM

2015-11-02T13:46:58-05:00

Was the picture attached a part of the original story?

Response by COL Sam Russell made Nov 2 at 2015 1:58 PM

2015-11-02T13:58:25-05:00

Despicable.

Response by Cpl Cody Setser made Nov 2 at 2015 2:31 PM

2015-11-02T14:31:47-05:00

If the leadership is doing it of course the juniors will follow. I hate that "do as I say, not as I do" shit! The leaders need to be held accountable.

Response by SGT Kenneth Goode made Nov 2 at 2015 3:09 PM

2015-11-02T15:09:38-05:00

OH GIVE ME A BREAK. Its alright for PFC Bill and Frank to take a warm shower together untill the wee hours of the morning but its a crime for a troop to rent a lady for a time????? Either have MWR hire female professional or send the boy scouts next time!!!!!!!!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2015 5:16 PM

2015-11-02T17:16:50-05:00

There's a human trafficing problem in Atlanta GA but nobody is getting fried for using hookers in GA. This is just like the Secret Service scandal in Columbia. Somebody got butt hurt and they are whistle blowing to make thier screw up seem small and show how good they are for the Army.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Nov 2 at 2015 10:56 PM

2015-11-02T22:56:15-05:00

Great.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2015 12:23 PM

2015-11-03T12:23:32-05:00

Thank you to whoever removed the original photo. Obviously it was out of context with the story.

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Nov 3 at 2015 8:50 PM

2015-11-03T20:50:27-05:00

People act as if they never paid for a prostitute. Even during safety lecture we are informed to use protection, speculation that someone will request the service of a prostitute.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2015 1:19 PM

2015-11-04T13:19:12-05:00

Does anyone else question whether this topic would be trending right now if it didn't have that click-bait picture under the headline?

Response by COL Charles Williams made Nov 5 at 2015 12:31 AM

2015-11-05T00:31:01-05:00

In the Army National Guard.... You Can... (sorry).