Leonard Wood sees jump in sex misconduct cases

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Leonard Wood sees jump in sex misconduct cases
The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Nov 23, 2008 16:56:57 EST

ST. LOUIS — Twelve years after a military sex scandal that led to changes in Army training, Fort Leonard Wood has seen stream of cases in which drill sergeants have been accused of sexual misconduct with women trainees.

Since February 2007, at least 14 drill sergeants or other trainers have faced courts-martial for improper relationships with soldiers undergoing basic training, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported in its Sunday editions.

One was not convicted, and two cases are pending. Of those who were convicted, most were sentenced to reductions in rank, loss of pay and bad-conduct discharges. In cases involving consensual sex, the trainees also received punishment, which can include loss of pay, confinement, reduction in rank and dismissal from the Army.

The cases since February 2007 included a 16-year veteran accused of having sex with five of his soldiers, including once in a vehicle while another recruit drove, and a drill sergeant accused of helping three female recruits go AWOL and having sex with one. The Post-Dispatch also reported that several of the drill sergeants deactivated barracks alarms to gain access to the trainees and gave them alcohol.

Many of the sexual misconduct cases involved consensual sex, but an Army spokesman noted that drill sergeants should never have any kind of personal relationship with a recruit.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_leonard_wood_112308/%2e