Fort Hood Master Sergeant on trial over alleged prostitution ring using female soldiers

2013-12-03T22:48:45-05:00

WE are embarrassing ourselves!

How does this happen? Why would some let this happen to them?

"Testimony continues in the court-martial of a Fort Hood soldier accused of using a prostitution service involving senior noncommissioned officers and cash-strapped female soldiers.

Testimony continues Tuesday in the Fort Hood military trial of Master Sgt Brad Grimes, a 17-year Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Trial opened Monday.

Army prosecutors accuse Grimes of participating in a prostitution ring set up by another Fort Hood sergeant still under Army investigation.

The case arose from an investigation of a lower-level coordinator of Fort Hood’s sexual assault and harassment prevention program. The Army said a noncommissioned officer involved in the program recruited female soldiers for the prostitution ring.

Defense attorneys contend Grimes is being court-martialed because he refused a deal to testify against the other soldier."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2013 10:57 PM

2013-12-03T22:57:45-05:00

Unfortunately MSG Quick, some Leaders no longer look at who's qualified or a good candidate for the position, they're looking at setting their buddies/pals, assimilated peers up for success. Just filling a slot, and throwing anybody into the next school just to make the Appointment for Duty memo quickly! And you are exactly correct, we are embarrassing OURSELVES. I've seen a previous PSGs fail h/w and then lie about it so she could attend a schooling and this was even after that discrepancy was brought to the attention of the 1SG. Seen the same 1SG pass out tasks to people because they had befriended him and did everything he asked.

In this case, its utterly ridiculous -saw the article earlier, but I also recall a few months back there were several other SHARP personnel who got into trouble for sexual misconduct. For this SGT to have an ENTIRE ring is appauling. but not so much because somebody somewhere knew something and just stood by more than likely bc they were getting a "hook up" of some sort.

At times, we cause our own demise.

SSG B

Response by SGT Aja Johnson made Dec 3 at 2013 11:35 PM

2013-12-03T23:35:36-05:00

The problem is people think with the mindset of a paygrade and not an NCO. These people that do this slip through the cracks and get promoted. It's no one's fault but their own. I'm sad that this kind of thing is going on in the Military. I am disgusted that this "NCO" coerced female Soldiers to join his little ring. The female Soldiers are not without blame. Sadly, lower enlisted Soldiers, especially one's strapped for money, are easily convinced to do things that lack integrity. I feel like the Corps is failing the junior Soldiers because this is what they see in the news is Seniors taking advantage. How can they put faith in us if they can never trust us?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2013 10:53 PM

2013-12-08T22:53:27-05:00

This is, unfortunately, only the tip of the iceberg. I hate to imagine how many more situations there are like this that are going on in the military.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2013 11:20 PM

2013-12-08T23:20:37-05:00

Unfortunately, through the years every branch has had some type of bad public publicity by members that have committed grievance and deplorable acts (either against our own or civilians).

All military members need to keep their eye out for tell tale signs that could provide early warning - so that pre-emptive corrective measures or help if needed can take place before these situations occur.

If the worst case situation does occur then we need to help the victims quickly and find out the cause so that we can hopefully prevent future issues of the same type.

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 8 at 2013 11:51 PM

2013-12-08T23:51:33-05:00

The MSG is no where as innocent as his lawyer conveys, he is guilty of participating, it has nothing to do with him refusing to testify against the ringleader, he was engaging in sexual activities with these young Soldiers for a price, it is just as bad as if he went downtown Killeen or "Hooker Heights" and did the same things and got arrested by Killeens/HHs finest, he solicited and actively participated. Suck it and drive on and take your punishment, but I also hold the female Soldiers just as accountable as they could have brought it to someone's attention, no one twisted their arms to take the money and engage in the acts, they knew what they were getting into, it was for the money. The media has tried to portray them as victims who were strapped for cash and were lured into doing it against their will, really they got a paycheck every 2 weeks, most likely lived in the barracks, no real bills, they had food housing and clothing on their backs, if they were hard up for cash, they most likely put themselves in that predicament to begin with.

The SFC/E7 Sexual Assault Program Advocate who was the alleged ringleader is going to get fried in the long run once the full investigation is completed, that is the only reason he isn't on trial yet, but the MSG has already been charged with solicitation, conspiracy, and a few other charges, so he is ready for trial, not a scapegoat, and the females, some will be charged, others will probably either receive lesser charges or immunity for their testimony, but it will all come to fruition in the months ahead.

They all need to be court-martialed for their active involvement in one form or another, so to me this is just another black eye the Army and military doesn't currently need.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 8:37 PM

2014-04-07T20:37:55-04:00

It makes me sad to think of this sordid and unlawful behavior going on among the military ranks. Just when I think I have heard of the lowest behavior I would expect from soldiers I hear of something else. While stationed at Ft. Polk I encountered gang activity among soldiers. The extent of their activities was incomprehensible and disturbing. I was disgusted to call them brothers-in-arms.

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made May 14 at 2014 11:36 AM

2014-05-14T11:36:32-04:00

Not everyone who enlists is a good soldier, nor a good veteran. During Viet Nam it was common for people to enlist to avoid going to jail. I understand the same thing is happening now. Quite frankly, there were reasons some did not come back. I was on a cruise with my family, and one day there was security all over the ship. Turned out two 50 something guys were trying to buy some 12 year old girls some drinks and take them back to their cabin. I told the security guy if it was my daughter there would be two fewer passengers getting off the ship. He replied that is why some people disappear off ships - and they don't look too hard for them. This guy happens to exploit people-I do not know why the girls did it, but they had choices too. As a leader he failed them. Period. How many soldiers were killed or injured under his watch because of his apparent lack of concern for his own charges?

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made May 14 at 2014 11:37 AM

2014-05-14T11:37:16-04:00

Not for nothing-what the heck is going on at Fort Hood?

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Dec 24 at 2014 2:39 PM

2014-12-24T14:39:10-05:00

All should be fried for this, right down to the last person.