Received this e-mail today from veteran and Lt. Governor John Walsh's (D. MT) U.S. Senate campaign:
In my 33 years with the Montana National Guard, I saw the very best in America's men and women. I worked with and learned from soldiers and airmen who had the courage to do what was right no matter the consequences. They took responsibility and put service before self.
Sadly, in a few cases, I also dealt with the worst in some people. And that's where our challenge lies for the future of our great military.
Sexual assault anywhere is intolerable. It's a terrible tragedy. We must do everything we can to prevent it, to prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law, and to serve and treat survivors. In our military, we can do better. We must.
Sign my open letter to members of the U.S. Senate today. Encourage them to remove prosecution of sexual assaults from the purview of military commanders and help guarantee justice for our men and women in uniform.
http://www.johnwalsh2014.com/...
As retired adjutant general of the Montana National Guard, I believe we must fundamentally change how we deal with sexual assault in our military.
Currently in the Armed Forces, a military commander is ultimately responsible for the prosecution of these crimes. As we've seen in some cases, a commander who may have no experience as a prosecutor can overrule the results of a court-martial -- possibly taking away the fundamental right to a fair trial and preventing justice.
In the Montana National Guard, it's done differently. If the unimaginable happens, prosecution of sexual assault occurs outside the purview of a military commander. Criminal acts are reported to the appropriate civilian authorities who investigate and prosecute them. The Guard cooperates, has no right to interfere, and no one in the Guard can overrule the results of a fair trial in an American court.
That's why I support the Military Justice Improvement Act, sponsored by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, to remove prosecutions from the purview of military commanders -- much like the Montana National Guard does. And I want your help encouraging the Senate to pass this critical bill.
Sign my open letter to the U.S. Senate and encourage them to pass the Military Justice Improvement Act now.
http://www.johnwalsh2014.com/...
I recently watched the Senate Armed Services Committee hold hearings on assaults in the Armed Forces. I'm deeply gratified that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are working together to make changes that simply must happen for the sake of justice and safety.
For generations, too many military leaders have believed that removing these responsibilities from commanders would somehow undermine their authority on other matters. I'm confident that is not the case.
Sign my open letter to the U.S Senate now.
http://www.johnwalsh2014.com/...
Sexual assault is a despicable and tragic crime. We must do everything we can to ensure justice for the survivors. We must fight for the women and men who fight for us. And I look forward to being part of this critical discussion.
Sincerely,
John Walsh