In response to a front page article “Behavior by brass vexes military” published by the Washington Post on Sunday, Jan. 27, I submitted the following letter to the editor. It was published on Sunday, Feb. 2, page 16.
The U.S. military needs a culture change
Regarding the Jan. 27 front-page article “Behavior by brass vexes military”:
Although flag and general officers are expected to set a sterling example of leadership and personal behavior, the military culture has tacitly accepted a different standard.
Considering the reported examples, it is no surprise that victims of sexual assault do not trust their commanders to investigate and punish perpetrators. Hidden by philosophies that include, “What happens on deployment stays on deployment,” improper behavior and sexual assaults have occurred in the military for decades. Understandably, commanders who practice “Do as I say, not as I do” may be disinclined to enforce the zero-tolerance policy on sexual assault.
Some suggest that a new culture is needed to stop sexual assault in the military and that this change should start at the top. Because, as The Post reported, senior officers are “reluctant to criticize their peers,” no one wants the embarrassment or expense of a witch hunt, and because an amnesty policy is preposterous, maybe a cultural change from the bottom up would be effective. If boot camps and service academies revamped all hazing policies, bullying and disrespect could be replaced by genuine teamwork and honor among comrades in arms, regardless of race, gender and sexual orientation.
Let the culture change begin.
Sara Zak, Arlington
The writer is a retired Navy commander.
That's a great letter, Sara.
ReplyDeleteThe commenter is a retired Navy Commander :)
DeleteI agree, Sara. Great letter. Had to read the whole WP article after reading your letter then read it again. At first it seemed a little short, but brevity is an art, and you nailed it, especially the last paragraph and last sentence. Having never been in the military, it grieves me that our young men and women volunteer to put themselves in our service yet the culture does not honor them.
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