On January 2, 2003, Dr. James G. Roche, the Secretary of the Air Force, received an e-mail directed initially to female cadets, which asserted that there was a significant sexual assault problem at the United States Air Force Academy that had been ignored by the Academy's leadership. Upon receipt of the e-mail, Secretary Roche immediately directed the General Counsel of the Air Force to lead a high-level working group to review cadet complaints, and the policies, programs and practices of the Academy to deter and respond to incidents of sexual assault, with a view toward making recommendations as appropriate. Secretary Roche also tasked the Working Group to review cases of sexual assault that had been reported from January 1993 to December 2002. In conducting this review, the Working Group was to keep in mind both the goal of the Academy to develop leaders of character for tomorrow s Air Force, and ordinary Air Force processes. The Secretary subsequently directed that the Air Force Inspector General review individual cases and cadet complaints concerning the handling of any cases. That review is still pending. The Working Group1 received briefings, reviewed pertinent information, identified additional documents and information needed and dispatched a staff team to the Academy to gather facts and interview those with knowledge of the program's history and its practices over time. The Working Group also consulted various experts in the Air Force including those in the areas of victim psychology, sexual assault and statistics. Cadet victims were interviewed, including at least one associated with the January 2, 2003 e-mail. In order to allow for contact from cadet victims, the Working Group established telephone numbers and an e-mail address for present and former cadets to provide comments.
Women have been allowed to attend U.S. military academies since the mid-1970s. This Congressional report from 2003 outlines a well-known case of sexual misconduct that several female cadets experienced at the Air Force Academy. Sexual harassment and assault continue to be a significant threat to women who serve in the armed forces. According to a 2011 report in Newsweek, a woman is more likely to experience a sexual assault by a fellow soldier than to die in combat.
Sexual assault, drug, and cheating scandals; institutional malfunction by way of administrative conspiracy, treachery, and delinquency; factious, tyrannical cadet leadership engendered by ideological misgivings and mob-mentality social justice; hazing, fraternal rights of passage, and selective character assassination; kangaroo courts, radicals, and rumor-mongers: These are the collective hallmark of the United States Air Force Academy. Follow a beleaguered class of 2005 cadet as he struggles to cope with and make sense of his surroundings. In Rogue Institution, former cadet Graney exposes the hypocrisy and cruelty that he found there, and vividly illustrates the wide spectrum of human emotion, thought, and behavior resultant from such an environment. Rogue Institution is a thought-provoking, action-oriented tribute to moral courage and self-determination, sure to inspire and enlighten readers.
The Department of Defense is unequivocal in its commitment to ensure that victims of sexual assault be protected, treated with dignity and respect, provided proper medical and psychological care, and that the perpetrators of such assaults be held accountable. Task Force Charter On February 5, 2004, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld directed the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Dr. David S.C. Chu, to undertake a 90-day review of all sexual assault policies and programs among the Services and DoD, and recommend changes necessary to increase prevention, promote reporting, enhance the quality and support provided to victims, especially within combat theaters, and improve accountability for offender actions. Review Methodology On February 13, 2004, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness established an eight member Department of Defense Care for Victims of Sexual Assaults Task Force. The Task Force formulated a review plan, which included the following: Request and analyze sexual assault incidence and demographic data from the Services. Request and assess current DoD-wide, Service-wide and Combatant Command-wide sexual assault policies and programs. Perform literature review on sexual assault, including review of prior studies and reports on DoD sexual assault and related programs. Discuss sexual assault prevention, reporting, response, and disposition issues with commanders, non-commissioned officers, junior enlisted personnel, service providers (medical, mental health, victim advocate, victim witness advocate, chaplains, law enforcement, investigative agencies, and legal personnel), and victims. Consult with subject matter experts within the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, civilian experts, and sexual assault support organizations about matters that should inform our review with respect to prevention, reporting, response, and disposition of sexual assault cases.
Some vols. include supplemental journals of "such proceedings of the sessions, as, during the time they were depending, were ordered to be kept secret, and respecting which the injunction of secrecy was afterwards taken off by the order of the House."