The Army says it will court-martial Sgt. Maj. Gene McKinney on 20 counts of sexual harassment, including adultery, indecent assault, soliciting sex, and threatening a female soldier. If convicted, he will face up to 50 years in prison, and receive a dishonorable discharge.
McKinney, the Army's top elisted man and an African-American, has denied the charges brought by six white women and says the case has been racially motivated. His attorney claims that if the case goes to trial, McKinney will reveal sexual misconduct on the part of other senior officers that has gone unpunished.
Responding to increased complaints about sexual harassment and assault in the military, Civilian Army Secretary Togo West announced last month that along with extending boot camp for education on gender issues and improved treatment of women, the Army would make the selection process for drill sergeants tighter by using psychological tests to screen candidates.
5/22/2013 Immigration Reform Bill Advances In Senate - Last night, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a sweeping immigration reform bill in a bipartisan vote of 13 to 5. . . .
5/22/2013 Afghan Women Arrested for 'Moral Crimes' Increases 50% - A new report by the Human Rights Watch shows that in the past 18 months the number of women in Afghanistan incarcerated for 'moral crimes' has increased from 400 to 600, a 50% growth.
Many of the women imprisoned for moral crimes were arrested running away from forced or abusive marriages and families, even though there is no law against leaving. . . .
5/22/2013 Army Commander Suspended for Adultery Amid Wave of Sexual Assaults - On Tuesday, Brigadier General Bryan T Roberts was suspended from his position as commander of the Fort Jackson, South Carolina training camp which trains approximately 60% of incoming female recruits pending an investigation into allegations of adultery.
Roberts was suspended following allegations of "adultery and a physical altercation." Colonel Christian Kubik, an Army spokesperson for the Training and Doctrine Command, told reporters "We don't have any evidence of any sexual assault. . . .
