US Military Academies Must Take Action to Address Increase in Sexual Assaults, Pentagon Study Reveals
A recent study conducted by the Pentagon has revealed a significant increase in sexual assaults at the three major US military academies. The study showed that cadets and midshipmen were receiving mixed messages about prevention measures due to a toxic culture of hazing and a climate of cynicism, distrust, and stigma. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has accepted the recommendations put forth by a team of Pentagon experts who conducted on-site visits to the academies following a report that showed a large spike in reported sexual assaults during the 2021-22 school year.
The report indicated that the number of student-reported assaults at the academies had risen by 18% compared to the previous year, marking the highest number of incidents since tracking began in 2006. In addition, an anonymous survey accompanying the report revealed that one out of every five female cadets and midshipmen had experienced unwanted sexual contact in the past year. Concerned by these distressing findings, Austin ordered the on-site evaluations of the military academies.
Austin emphasized the urgent need for action in his memo, stating, While the service academies are dominant in many domains, they have far more work to do to halt sexual assault and harassment. He went on to express his disappointment and concern that the occurrence of such crimes continues to trend upward, calling it disturbing and unacceptable as it poses a threat to the safety of the military and undermines readiness.
The recommendations made in the Pentagon’s report aim to improve the culture within the military academies and provide better support and prevention measures for the students. The report suggests offering trainings for student leaders to equip them with the skills to assist their peers, promoting mental health resources, and putting an end to hazing and mistreatment. The experts who conducted the on-site visits found that the academies had varying degrees of mixed messaging due to their individual traditions and mentoring concepts. Therefore, the recommendations are tailored to each specific academy.
The Pentagon officials also discovered that hazing was counteracting the positive efforts made in sexual assault prevention, reporting, and victim treatment. Elizabeth Foster, executive director of the Department of Defense’s Office of Force Resiliency, explained that good activities lose their effectiveness when implemented in unhealthy or toxic climates. The study highlighted the importance of reinforcing healthy norms consistently across all aspects of cadets’ and midshipmen’s lives.
To address these issues, the Pentagon recommended specific changes for each academy. For instance, they suggested ending the Air Force Academy’s fourth class system, which contributes to hazing and mistreatment of first-year cadets. They also proposed adding experienced officers and non-commissioned officers at the Naval Academy to provide mentorship and supervision for midshipmen. At West Point, the officials recommended reviewing the training given to cadet leaders to better meet the needs of incoming cadets.
In addition to structural changes, the report emphasized the need to integrate training on sexual assault prevention, stress relief, misconduct, and social media into the academies’ core curriculums. Currently, these discussions take place outside of regular school hours, hindering their effectiveness. The Pentagon officials stressed the importance of prioritizing these topics by incorporating them into graded coursework.
Defense Secretary Austin has directed the military services to develop plans of action by the end of October on how they will implement the recommendations. He has also instructed them to regularly review their plans moving forward. Austin firmly believes that this is a critical moment for the service academies and that progress must be made to eradicate harmful behaviors and create an environment where every service member can thrive.
The Pentagon’s study sheds light on the urgent need for change within the US military academies. By implementing the recommendations, the academies can work towards creating a safer, more inclusive environment that upholds the values of respect and professionalism. The goal is to prevent sexual assaults, support victims, and ultimately enhance the readiness and effectiveness of the military.
