Posted on Jun 2, 2017
Is SHARP effective? If not, how can it be improved? Are some cases allowed to be swept under the rug?
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A story to go along with this:
While I was on active duty, a friend of mine (we'll call her Sarah) wanted to enlist. She went to the recruiting station in Auburn, ME (same place I was recruited from). My recruiter was the one that dealt with her. Long story short, Sarah told me they had sex and that she wanted to pursue a relationship. I reported it, but I don't believe it was handled properly.
While I was on active duty, a friend of mine (we'll call her Sarah) wanted to enlist. She went to the recruiting station in Auburn, ME (same place I was recruited from). My recruiter was the one that dealt with her. Long story short, Sarah told me they had sex and that she wanted to pursue a relationship. I reported it, but I don't believe it was handled properly.
Posted in these groups: 
SHARP
Sexual Assault
Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP)
SHARP Sexual Assault Sexual Harassment Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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Sexual Harrasment/Assault is not an Army issue, it is a parenting issue. Good, decent, well raised human beings do not require training to know that these behaviors are wrong and morally reprehensible. If they need to be taught that at this stage, there is nothing we can do for them. Their formative years have been wasted. All we can do is identify them and remove them from the service.
There is no amount of training that will undo 17 + years of bad parenting.
There is no amount of training that will undo 17 + years of bad parenting.
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SPC Patrick Caldwell
I agree wholeheartedly that men and women are conditioned to know core values that exhibit strong moral conduct. Identification of the warning signs of intolerable behavior such as sexual harassment/assault is crucial in maintaining a safer work environment and a stronger unit cohesion.
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SFC Kelly Fuerhoff
If someone is a sexual predator it doesn't mean they had bad parenting. There are sexual predators who had wonderful parents. There are different reasons for people who become sexual predators. Sometimes they were abused. Sometimes they saw sexual abuse. Sometimes people are just fucked in the head. You can only blame parents so much. People need to be held accountable for their actions.
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MSG Laura Washington
In my humble opinion, and not wanting to point fingers . . . the formative years of an individual are critical to their belief system and knowledge of right an wrong. Parenting is critical to this development and safeguarding their children from the potential abuses and harms that can be inflicted. I raised 4 children as a single parent, usually working three jobs (MilTech, Reservist, and a part time job to make ends meet), and always found time to be involved as a room mother, attending their extra curricular events, even as an assistant coach to my Son's 7th grade basketball team. The only time my instilled values where not followed to a "T" was during a deployment when I had to settle for a not perfect choice on who would be their guardian while I was absent. I am thankfully to God that my children are all employed productive adults, and now grateful for the parenting provided that they did not always understand, nor agreed with.
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The Army has a regulation that specifically addresses this outside of standard SHARP policy, AR 600-20 para 4-15, which reads in part:
Recruiters and permanent party personnel assigned or attached to the U.S. Army Recruiting Command or National Guard recruiting program are also prohibited from establishing personal relationships with potential prospects, applicants, members of the Delayed Entry Program or members of the Delayed Training Program not required by the recruiting mission is prohibited.
Violation of this policy is chargeable under UCMJ, Article 92.
Entering into a personal relationship with a recruit is prohibited for a number of reasons:
1. The recruits are often underage when first contacted.
2. The recruits are in a situation where the recruiter can directly affect the contract and benefits they receive. A prototypical quid pro quo situation.
3. Recruits are vulnerable and can be coerced by a person in a position of trust.
4. Recruiters ARE the Army to a potential recruit. The damage lasts far longer than the relationship.
A recruiter in violation of this should be at minimum removed from duty as a recruiter and put in hock by his/her commander. NJP and other punitive actions to follow.
Recruiters and permanent party personnel assigned or attached to the U.S. Army Recruiting Command or National Guard recruiting program are also prohibited from establishing personal relationships with potential prospects, applicants, members of the Delayed Entry Program or members of the Delayed Training Program not required by the recruiting mission is prohibited.
Violation of this policy is chargeable under UCMJ, Article 92.
Entering into a personal relationship with a recruit is prohibited for a number of reasons:
1. The recruits are often underage when first contacted.
2. The recruits are in a situation where the recruiter can directly affect the contract and benefits they receive. A prototypical quid pro quo situation.
3. Recruits are vulnerable and can be coerced by a person in a position of trust.
4. Recruiters ARE the Army to a potential recruit. The damage lasts far longer than the relationship.
A recruiter in violation of this should be at minimum removed from duty as a recruiter and put in hock by his/her commander. NJP and other punitive actions to follow.
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SPC Patrick Caldwell
Absolutely right, 1SG (Join to see). Even though I knew the relationship was mutual and that Sarah would likely be upset with me, I knew it was not only a legal abomination but a moral one as well and had to report it. It disgusted me that it was my recruiter who entered into the relationship. That gave me an added sense of responsibility to make sure that something was done.
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SFC Kelly Fuerhoff
That's what I was looking for is the regulation. As I said in my other post it's consensual but the recruiter isn't allowed to do that. You were right to report that person. They shouldn't be a recruiter let alone in the Army.
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