Wide-spread cheating on tests among the Navy’s nuclear officers was the latest in a long line of ethics scandals that have included a military sex abuse prevention officer running his own on-base prostitution ring, and an Air Force General sacked in December for “drunken antics” in Moscow.
The Pentagon is finally coming to terms with the fact that it’s got a mounting problem of unethical behavior, but beyond massive reports forwarded to the top brass and subsequently ignored, they seem completely lost on what to do about it.
“I don’t think there is one simple answer,” insisted Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, who went on to say that the Pentagon was willing to “hold people accountable if necessary” but only once it had a handle on the entire situation.
There doesn’t seem to be much chance of that happening, as Hagel is planning to appoint a single “ethical adviser” for the entire Pentagon and is waiting for a committee he appointed to give him some sort of “action plan.”
The chances aren’t promising of either of those yielding much, as a 2008 blue-ribbon panel investigation made recommendations, but they were all classified and if they were even attempted, they clearly didn’t help. The Navy tried their own investigation in 2011 after another test cheating scandal, but let the matter drop almost immediately, sacking the captain but again not solving the underlying problem.
I suggest a widely implemented seppuku program.
Simple PROSECUTE THEM!
And while you are at it Prosecute the Officers that have let Rapists off, until Criminals in the Military are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law they will continue to Rape and Pillage whether it be their OWN ranks or others in Military held areas!
Just a few weeks back we in Australia has the Pentagon asking that an Alleged Rapist be handed over to the US for trial, Australia declined because we have seen what happens with Military Rapists their Commanding Officers let them go!
Exactly. Indeed, it was the Iraqi government's decision to withhold criminal immunity from American servicemen that prompted President Obama to honor Bush's previously negotiated agreement to leave Iraq. If only all nations would do this, we might see some progress.
Yes, prosecuting them would be a start. But, to make the point something the rest of the miscreants might remember it has to go further. Prosecute them, reduce them in grade as far back as possible, terminate their enlistment/commission, and if eligible for retirement, rescind their eligibility. They have to take EVERYTHING away from these people in order for the message to resonate. A slap on the wrist, which is what they get today, is an irritant, not a deterrent.
It's called FIRING THE PERSON. It's called NO RETIREMENT BENEFITS. It's called DISHONORABLE DISCHARGE.
Hit a few of those high-ranking colonels and generals and admirals where it hurts and the rest might start taking notice. Stat with the officers and work your way down.
As the old saw goes about the purges of Soviet generals "We'll have fewer, but better, soldiers".