[My hearts in London - Everett]

I have two daughters who both work in Navy Intel. They both deal with harassment regularly. The military (at least the Navy) is like a big Peyton Place or high school only heightened. The harassment is by men and women. I believe it's worse for women however. Women of integrity are harassed by their male and female shipmates. It seems it is pretty much impossible to attempt to be in the military and just do your job daily without being propositioned or having to deal with ugly untrue rumors about either being someone's latest conquest (with lurid made up details) or having to defend your heterosexuality or endure the rumor mill because you don't bed every male sailor who expresses an interest in you. I have strongly advised both my daughters to never be in a work space alone with a male shipmate if at all possible.

My daughters joined the Navy to serve their country and have come to appreciate and love it even more since enlisting. It's a sad fact that they have to deal with this crap to do their jobs and serve a country they love. They deal with it the best they can. It doesn't do any good to complain as you are held to a higher standard than your shipmates thereafter and are written up for infractions others skate on.

[trisham]

Harassment exists in civilian life as well. It is not unique to the military. I know, because I've experienced it, and have seen it happen to others.

What I and some others are saying is that Benedict is exaggerating and possibly outright lying about the degree to which this kind of thing happens in the military.