Posted on 08/22/2020 9:16:42 AM PDT by BenLurkin
A Fort Hood soldier who has been missing since Monday had been transferred to a different unit because he was the victim in an “abusive sexual contact” investigation, the Army said.
Lt. Col. Chris Brautigam, a 1st Cavalry Division public affairs officer, told CNN in a statement that there is an “open investigation of abusive sexual contact” involving Sgt. Elder Fernandes and confirmed that Fernandes was the victim in the investigation.
“The unit sexual assault response coordinator has been working closely with Sgt. Fernandes, ensuring he was aware of all his reporting, care, and victim advocacy options,” Brautigam said. “The unit also facilitated his transfer from a unit who has recently deployed to a different unit within the brigade to ensure he received the proper care and ensure there were no opportunities for reprisals.”
Fernandes, 23, is assigned to a unit in the 1st Cavalry Division. He was last seen Monday afternoon by his staff sergeant when he was dropped off at his home in Killeen, Texas, the soldier’s family told police.
The US Army said Thursday it was asking for the public’s help in finding Fernandes, according to a statement from Fort Hood.
Fernandes is about 5 feet, 4 inches tall, and weighs approximately 133 pounds, according to the Killeen Police Department, which is investigating his disappearance. Police said he was last seen wearing a black Army physical training shirt and shorts with red athletic shoes.
(Excerpt) Read more at ktla.com ...
Is that a guy?
Fort ‘Hood
May be what the “abuse” was about.
Some normal soldiers maybe not on board with the New Army
5’4”, w133 pounds. An Army of 3/4.
I dare say that’s one of the newer members of the club for men. Perhaps the old guard doesn’t care to have their brand diminished with such nonsense. This “guy” does not appear to be a member in good standing. No pun intended.
For your interest.
Be he small but mighty !
We need every Soldier we can get in the armed forces we can get because over half the americans of draft age are too unfit to fight if we ever go to war.
The rest think they are too good to serve the country.
19 Kilo
The Army Service Ribbon looks like a rainbow flag.
30 years ago we were calling it the “rainbow ribbon”, the one you got for getting past AIT. Not really a source of, dare I say, Pride.
Agreed. There are missing pieces to this story. But Fort Hood has been getting a lot of negative press in the last few years. Even the soldiers need to stay sharp on post.
I’m so old that it confuses me to hear about an Army Sergeant being a victim of sxual abuse. Not long ago that would have been the story of Sgt. Hulka breaking someone’s neck.
That’s weird: my Gaydar went off.
Ahh Houston we have a problem.
I don’t think officers got the service ribbon, so if you saw one on an officer you knew they were former enlisted. Which to me added a little more respect of them.
Back in the Vietnam War Era, we called it the “I’ve been to basic training” ribbon. All military members were awarded it after 60 days of successful active service. And 60 days/2 months/8 weeks was the average time to complete and graduate from basic enlisted or officer training.
It went away sometime in the 1980s and was brought back in 1990 when the First Gulf War happened. I remember getting an ‘Oak Leaf Cluster’ to signify that I was receiving it for the 2d time in 1991, the first time was in 1973.
The Good Conduct Medal/ribbon is only awarded to enlisted soldiers after 3 years of duty if they have received no Article 15 or other punishments. Thus if you see an officer wearing the GCM ribbon, you knew they were prior enlisted.
Army Service Ribbon. I was not familiar with that. I recall the National Defense Ribbon and thought they were the same, obviously not. The ASR does look like a rainbow flag. The NDR we used to call the I was alive in 65 award.
Whatever, I cannot recall any instance during my time wherein a sergeant was sexually abused. I was not much bigger than this guy in the 60s and guarantee the article would not have been about me. I recall one incident wherein I was returning from a shower and was addressed by some senior NCO by “hey you” while yelling I was in the wrong billet. I pointedly told him my name is Sergeant. That was the end of that.
What concerns me about Fort Hood is is the all too often gang reference, and the number of missing, and dead soldiers associated with the Hood compared to other bases.
No I haven’t searched for the exact statistics, just going off what I have seen in the “media”.
i hope so, cause otherwise, that’s an ugly girl.
30 years ago we were calling it the “rainbow ribbon”........................ Us old timers called it the “tutti fruity” ribbon.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.