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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Statement on the Conclusion of Independent Review Commission
US Dept. of Defense ^ | June 22, 2021 | Lloyd J. Austin III

Posted on 06/23/2021 12:55:34 PM PDT by Candor7

Yesterday, I received the final recommendations and complete report of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment.

I want to thank Lynn Rosenthal for her exceptional leadership of this commission, as well as the talented experts who worked so diligently to support her. The work they produced was informed not only by their own significant experience, but by that of so many members of our military, including sexual assault survivors.

The result is a comprehensive assessment across four lines of effort -- accountability, prevention, climate and culture, and victim care and support -- that recommends creative and evidence-based options. It provides us real opportunities to finally end the scourge of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the military.

In coming days, I will present to President Biden my specific recommendations about the commission’s findings, but I know enough at this point to state the following:

First, we will work with Congress to amend the Uniform Code of Military Justice, removing the prosecution of sexual assaults and related crimes from the military chain of command.

The IRC recommended the inclusion of other special victims’ crimes inside this independent prosecution system, to include domestic violence. I support this as well, given the strong correlation between these sorts of crimes and the prevalence of sexual assault.

Second, solving this problem requires not just greater accountability, which we need, but also changes to our approach on prevention, command climate, and victim services. I am reviewing the full scope of the commission’s recommendations in these areas, but generally they appear strong and well-grounded. I have directed my staff to do a detailed assessment and implementation plan for my review and approval.

Third, the Department will need new resources and authorities necessary to implement the IRC’s recommendations. Those we believe we can implement under existing authorities will be given priority. We will need to work closely with Congress to secure additional authorities and relief where needed. We will most assuredly require additional resources, both in personnel and in funding. But it may take us some time to determine how much and where they are most wisely applied.

Finally, as in all other things, these changes demand leadership. I appreciate the support that the Department’s civilian and military leaders have provided to the commission, and the thoughtfulness with which they have advised me as we develop effective ways to implement the changes we need to eliminate sexual assault and sexual harassment from our ranks.

As I made clear on my first full day in office, this is a leadership issue. And we will lead. Our people depend upon it. They deserve nothing less.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government
KEYWORDS: harassment; metoo; military; weakening
A great way to rid the Armed Forces of effective combat troops.

"ME TOO" rules the military with prosecution in civilian hands.

1 posted on 06/23/2021 12:55:34 PM PDT by Candor7
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To: Candor7

They will probably set it up like they did for colleges. No due process.


2 posted on 06/23/2021 12:57:35 PM PDT by alternatives?
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To: Candor7
removing the prosecution of sexual assaults and related crimes from the military chain of command.

Brilliant. Bring accusations of sexual assault against a Seal Team just before deployment and now they go nowhere except probably pre-trial detention while and independent office prosecutes, overlooking first the investigation.

3 posted on 06/23/2021 12:59:48 PM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: Candor7

Austin is a racist, feminist, panty boy. He’s completely unqualified to run anything more than a shoeshine stand. And, yes, I am being racist. I’ll give racism back ten fold to pieces of schiff like Austin.


4 posted on 06/23/2021 1:01:26 PM PDT by ConservativeInPA (“When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.” ― Thomas Jefferson)
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To: ConservativeInPA

Just bring complaints against all the flag officers in the US military. They will all be put on leaved pending the 5 year investigation of the independent prosecutor after it is created, stood up, and figures out how to get organized and do anything.


5 posted on 06/23/2021 1:05:13 PM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: Candor7

First
The commie infiltrators took the Constitution out back and beat and raped it

Now they want to take
the UMCJ out back ,,

I think I see a pattern of sedition here.


6 posted on 06/23/2021 1:27:08 PM PDT by cuz1961 (USCGR Veteran )
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To: Candor7
First, we will work with Congress to amend the Uniform Code of Military Justice, removing the prosecution of sexual assaults and related crimes from the military chain of command.

Bad idea. Really bad idea.

7 posted on 06/23/2021 1:35:21 PM PDT by TankerKC (Be first with the truth. )
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To: Candor7

This is awful but there’s more ... they want more tax dollars directed towards military political correctness and they want you to pay for it.


8 posted on 06/23/2021 2:19:49 PM PDT by plain talk
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To: Candor7

What a great idea! Put men & women together in the same military units!

What could possibly go wrong?

Better idea!

Put homosexuals in the ranks!

What could possible go wrong?

/Sarc

IDIOTS!!!


9 posted on 06/23/2021 3:33:52 PM PDT by BwanaNdege ( Experience is the best teacher, but if you can accept it 2nd hand, the tuition is less!)
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To: Candor7

I see there’s a lot of willful ignorance here at FR when it comes to the military and rape. Let me enlighten all of you:
Rape in the military has been an actual pandemic. It has been for 30-40+ years. In fact the cover up of sexual assaults and rapes within the military is just as big of an epidemic as the rapes themselves.
Taking the power away from military commands to “prosecute” rapes (when they only covered them up) is a huge positive step. Perhaps it will be an over correction but it’s one the whole US military brought on itself.
Maybe now, real crimes will be prosecuted and the bad apples can be ripped out of the basket.


10 posted on 06/23/2021 4:13:07 PM PDT by brent13a
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