[Melas]

The kinds of things that can happen when people drink too much and don’t listen to that little voice in their head, which is their mother ...P> You nailed it! Actually I've been wondering if the rape charge wasn't the typical spiel where the female is allegedly to drunk to consent. I never fully grasped how you can have two people who are totally sloshed, and only one of them loses their accountability.

[sarasmom]

He had sixteen years in service, how many months did the 20 year old butterbar have?
It wouldn't be the first time a Jr Officer put way too much trust in a senior NCO, or the more common flipside, a junior enlisted puts way to much trust in a Senior Officer.
Add a lot of alochol, and it's almost a cliche.
One reason for strict regulations regarding fraternization in the first place.
Since the details of the “trial” are not provided, everyone is going to “judge” based on whatever they personally want to perceive to be the “facts”.
So my turn to guess.
The former Chief Petty Officer will never be granted clemency, and the Ensign will not advance past O-3, but will be allowed to honorable resign her commission.

[Tax-chick]

two people who are totally sloshed, and only one of them loses their accountability.

I don't think it's right, either. However, it might have to do with evidence: in any such case, the evidence that he had sex with her is physical, while the evidence that she agreed isn't (in the absence of witnesses or a recording).

Maybe a man should try claiming that he was too drunk to consent, so the woman raped him.