The Hottest Topic Not Openly Discussed: MST

Cpl Thuy Tran — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 13:23:52 -0500

Sensitive Content Warning* This post contains content about Sexual Assault. If you or someone you know is struggling and are in need of immediate help, please contact this 24/7 confidential sexual assault hotline 800.656.HOPE (4673). Find your local VA MST coordinator here: http://rly.pt/38iS1bT

Has life ever inadvertently made you an expert in a topic you would have never chosen to study? It did that to me with MST which stands for: Military Sexual Trauma. For obvious reasons, it hasn’t been discussed often until the “#MeToo” movement. Most people equate sexual acts with something private between consenting individuals. MST is the complete opposite of this. Let me say it again; MST has nothing to do with sexual intimacy. It is genderless, violent abuse acted upon by those whose main focus is their own selfish desire. I am veteran rated 100% permanent with all associated benefits and have been in therapy over a decade. It is my anecdotal opinion that the first thing we can all do to address this injustice is to discuss it. We must start by calling it what it is: a crime.

Our lives are in each other’s hands and MST is a devastating violation of trust. Trust is imperative for the functionality of our duties and overall lives. Besides the traumatic impact MST has mentally and physically, it also costs the military a substantial amount of money that could be allocated in other ways. When soldiers lose limbs or are injured in combat, they should be financially taken care of immediately without worrying about how they will feed themselves or their families. However, their case is put in the same queue as myself and other MST victims who have become incapacitated. This article is too brief for me to go into the devastating layers of mental, physical and financial effects of MST. However, I want you to understand that MST is the direct result of a crime, and it’s preventable.

I know the first thing some folks will say is, “Don’t get drunk and put yourself in a compromising position.” The shame associated with this narrative prevents countless victims from reporting the crime which in turn, causes us to quietly suffer with physical and mental illnesses. My response to this is that honorable people don’t take or allow others to take advantage of a compromised person, they lead them to safety. Ask yourself, what kind of person are you? Do you consider it okay to be violent and enforce your will, even rape, because someone is drunk? I hope we all have more honor than that.

Don’t be a victim shamer! Look very hard at the real enemy: discrimination. It divides us when our survival depends on unity. In my opinion, anyone using their superior position, strength, or resources to harm someone else, even those who pose no threat, are guilty of discrimination on a fundamental level. People discriminate when they judge someone unworthy of respect because of race, gender, social status, religion or anything else that causes a superiority complex. This dangerous attitude leads to people committing violent, traumatic crimes such as MST. This is the enemy within our beloved military that needs to be destroyed.

As for victims, remember two words: report and support. You must report this, and please know there is support that will help guide you through to the other end. Your injuries are real and they are not your fault. Taking the first step and discussing this terrifying violation of privacy and trust with someone is true bravery. Do this for yourself, but also do it for potential new victims who don’t deserve to be stripped of their autonomy. Personally, I spoke up to: stop the crime, save victims (including myself), and save resources for soldiers injured by the enemy outside rather than the one within. Every VA healthcare facility and Vet Center has an MST coordinator. You can reach out by phone or online here: http://rly.pt/3hLI75v

I am willing to offer peer support to any veteran who needs it. My goal will be to connect you with someone who can actually help you use the plethora of available resources.

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Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Jan 6 at 2021 6:49 PM

Maj Kim Patterson — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 18:49:01 -0500

Cpl Thuy Tran excellent post! I’m still jousting that MST battle.

Response by GySgt Gary Cordeiro made Jan 7 at 2021 1:23 AM

GySgt Gary Cordeiro — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 01:23:10 -0500

I investigated an alleged suicide in Iraq, FOB Union 3. A female soldier committed suicide. Investigation:
Victim committed suicide after a rape in the female showers. Victim was engaged and looking forward to marriage after your completion. Victim was the Same age as my daughter.

Response by PO3 Aaron Hassay made Jan 7 at 2021 2:03 AM

PO3 Aaron Hassay — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 02:03:02 -0500

how about getting sexually insulted confronted propositioned threatened by your supposed male friend on a navy shop when you are 19 leading to other confrontations with other guys until you try to join the army all together by the time you are 22 and are medically profiled permanently for psych spine musculodkelatl with one of the hardest jobs on the ship and returned to the ship. One honorable discharge later homeless and jobless now sexual predator by on by older guys for housing trapped and a va Oakland regional that denies you multiple times a homeelss housing voucher because your enlistment was a reserve enlistment...

I mean I don't think you could of made a better joke...

Response by SSG Samuel Kermon made Jan 7 at 2021 10:56 AM

SSG Samuel Kermon — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 10:56:20 -0500

Thank you for being courageous.

Response by Wayne Soares made Jan 7 at 2021 12:03 PM

Wayne Soares — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 12:03:39 -0500

Excellent post Thuy

Response by 1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel made Jan 7 at 2021 12:19 PM

1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 12:19:33 -0500

I am so negatively amazed at the extent of this problem.....everybody seems to be talking about it, and has been since I was a young Airman in 1971. Whatever became of the military virtue of HONOR? Are we forming our military service members in honor from the beginning of their enlistment or appointment? Does supervision and command model honor? We, as a nation, have made the decision to include male and female persons to be serving together in all situations and in spite of the supposed sexual liberation and equality, so we must work against our sinful human nature and create a culture where we are not seen as sexual targets. The only approach I have ever seen to be mildly effective is to create a culture of honor. Without a culture of honor and honesty this is impossible, and as long as this culture will hot be upheld we will have exploitation of those who are perceived as weaker by those who are convinced they can get away with it. I know I am not likely to be sufficiently PC in my understanding, but this now elderly man of God looks at life this way. May God grant us the strength and conviction of character to live lives of homor.

Response by PFC Donnie Harold Harris made Jan 7 at 2021 4:41 PM

PFC Donnie Harold Harris — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 16:41:33 -0500

It saddens me to read this. As if you were trying to tell a child to stand strong. No survivor needs to convince another of the why. Nor more than to convince chickenpox that is their fault. A rapist is a condition that needs no justification for a cause. It just is a condition like a pox that can be removed from existence with the education of the young and the follow threw of the older among us, without exception. There is no justification there just is the act of another that needs to be expelled. MST like a missing arm is understood and needs complete coverage without shame. Or a need to blame. That is why help is needed. So you work on the new you and others handle the conditional results of the workout. I got no coverage because I was kidnapped and raped as a 15-year old boy a special forces drill Sargent that was relocated while on hold for his trial for what he did to me at another base to another. The Army practiced the same technique as the Catholic Church. I reported the crime only to have my whole family's lives threatened. I was outside of the loop. It took 40 years to tell. Thank goodness you have the VA that is doing this work.

Response by CPO Nate S. made Jan 7 at 2021 9:07 PM

CPO Nate S. — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 21:07:23 -0500

Two videos of interest:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9snig5gZfk&feature=youtu.be
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akoTU7KjI-A&feature=youtu.be

My wife, is retired USN and never had to deal with MST, but she did work in healthcare areas where she saw the victims of this kind of crap. Irritated both of us!!! As a retired HMC, I cannot tell how many times when I was a young ER Corpsman we saw women of all stripes come into the ED as a result sexual assault. GSWs, MVAs, major burns are bad enough, but when you are a guy and see the horrific actions other males commit it really pisses you off!

About Military Sexual Trauma

This video is intended to educate Veterans, VA staff and the general public about the types of incidents that constitute MST, the effects of MST on survivors...

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2021 9:50 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 21:50:41 -0500

Sorry you endured this. Sharing and caring for others is admirable on your part. It may help prevent it for others, or help them otherwise, and help you find peace in doing so.

Response by SGT Lillian Ramirez made Jan 26 at 2021 6:10 PM

SGT Lillian Ramirez — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 18:10:21 -0500

Response by PV2 Keith Young made Feb 14 at 2021 2:40 PM

PV2 Keith Young — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 14:40:12 -0500

I was the subject of MST. I was assaulted by a Captain while I was in basic. It took,so much out of me. The embarrassment, the shame and the horror. The fear that no one will believe you. It took me about 34 years to finally come to grips with it and reported it to my VA doctor. It is not widely accepted that makes get raped and sexually assaulted. Over 56 percent of males never report it. They dismiss it as hazing or "right of passage". Make no mistake, it's a crime and trauma lasts forever

Response by PV2 Keith Young made Feb 14 at 2021 4:21 PM

PV2 Keith Young — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 16:21:23 -0500

As to my previous post. I was sexually assaulted by a male Captain. This happens more than is generally known

Response by PO3 Noel Nichols made Feb 15 at 2021 10:08 AM

PO3 Noel Nichols — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 10:08:20 -0500

Command should make body recorders/camshaft available to record and documents abuse.

Response by PO3 Noel Nichols made Mar 8 at 2021 9:42 AM

PO3 Noel Nichols — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 09:42:13 -0500

I was lucky, my NCO removed my predictor from my department and I heard later, was denied promotion.... out of Navy pronto.

Response by CPL Raeanne Mitchell made Mar 19 at 2021 12:44 PM

CPL Raeanne Mitchell — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 12:44:15 -0400

Thank you for posting this. In my situation, the victims didn't talk about it because it was admitting you were weak. I took my problem out in being angry and defensive, including to my husband. I was lucky enough to be getting out due to an injury and then counseling for anxiety and depression once I was a civilian.