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M-NNPC hosts ‘Gift of Giving’ Winter Coat, Food Drive
DCMILITARY.COM
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Operation Homefront, Fisher House, Wal-Mart support “Holiday Meals for Military”
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Community, business leaders gather for Legislative Reception BY CHRIS BASHAM STAFF WRITER
Community and business leaders and elected officials gathered Dec.5 for the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Holiday Reception held at the Comfort Inn Conference Center in Bowie, Md. Maryland State Senator Douglas J.J. Peters (D-Dist.23) spoke of legislative victories and challenges faced by the Prince George’s County delegation to Annapolis, while praising the Chamber’s unity in seeking legislation intended to benefit local businesses and the community at large, from state funding for a regional hospital, adjustments to how state tax funds are disbursed to the county, raising the percentage of funding for county libraries from state coffers from 50 percent to 70 percent, and other legislative deals that brought state money to Prince George’s County. “We brought home $200 million for the hospital. The county matched that, and the University of Maryland Medical System matched that. It’s a huge take from the state for us. It took unified effort, from us,” Peters said. “We brought home $913 million for Prince George’s County Public Schools. That’s number one in the state.” Peters also spoke of the “P3” or Public/Private Partnership initiative, spearheaded by Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, which enables private companies to bid on county
USNA 2014 Summer STEM Program seeks students
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2013 | VOL. 2 NO. 49
“Get to Know” artists explore nature
and state projects such as the construction of Metro’s Purple Line. “Front-loaded private sector money and minds get (large infrastructure projects) going faster,” Peters said, adding that next legislative session will focus on issues including the minimum wage and evaluation of the Enterprise Zone tax credit program. “Enterprise Zone Tax Credits are all up for review...Enterprise Zones are not creating jobs,” said Peters. In response to a recent PGCoC member survey, the Chamber has decided to emphasize legislative activities dealing primarily with development, transportation and transit; the impact of recent health care legislation on small business and proposals to increase the minimum wage, which PGCoC representative Kenneth Battle called, “well intentioned, but definitely traumatic for some in the Chamber.” Craig Muckle of the PGCoC Sports, Hospitality and Entertainment Committee presented $5,000 in scholarships to Prince George’s Community College President Dr. Charlene Dukes. The scholarships, which will be split between two PGCC students who are studying hospitality, were raised by the chamber’s golf tournament, held in October. Recently elected Prince George’s County Commission President Mel Franklin (D-Dist. 9) said that he
see COMMUNITY, page 8
SAT and ACT prep programs discounted for military families
Diamond Ward, 16, of Upper Marlboro, earned second place among high school entries with her photograph, taken on a camera issued by the Recreation and Parks department for the project.
Military Service Members are offered $250 SAT and ACT college test preparation programs for less than $20.00 compliments of leading educational software company eKnowledge. The SAT and ACT PowerPrep Program consists of 11 hours of video instruction, 3,000 files of supplemental test prep material, sample questions and practice tests. Students select the training they need and study at their own pace. The sponsorship is entering
Children from all over Prince George’s County worked with a team of six local artists at community centers, festivals and playgrounds across the county to explore nature together and create art about what they found. Approximately 800 to 900 of the students’ videos, music, poetry, photography, painting, drawing and mixed-media art were collected between April 8 and Nov. 1, 2013, and posted online in cooperation with the Get to Know Your Wild Neighbors art contest,
its ninth year and has donated 200,000 programs valued at over $44 million at no profit to the company. The eKnowledge Donation Project is in alliance with the DoD and supported by patriotic athletes from the NFL and MLB. To request a program online: www.eKnowledge.com/DCMilitary To request a program via telephone: 951-256-4076 (reference DC Military.com) For more information: Lori Caputo, 951256-4076, LoriCaputo@eKnowledge.com.
PHOTO/CHRIS BASHAM
BY CHRIS BASHAM STAFF WRITER
a program which started in Canada and has spread throughout the States. With more than 3,000 entries, Prince George’s County students produced more pieces of art than any other program in the U.S. Get to Know contest. “Some of the kids took 50 photos in no time at all, so we had thousands of images to choose from” said Stewart Seal, Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation arts coordinator. The program is in its first full year in Prince George’s County, after a slow start. For the 2012 contest, held in cooperation with the National Park Trust, only about 80
pieces were submitted by Prince George’s County students. Artist Gary Coltrane was one of six artists in residence who worked with students on their nature-inspired art. Under his tutelage, 27 students at the Kentlands Community Center created a large mural which one the contest’s first place ranking. “It’s very rewarding in terms of the interaction and engagement,” said Coltrane. “This is the second or third year I’ve done this with the students at a variety of centers. They really in-
see ARTIST, page 3
S.T.R.I.V.E. to be their best BY CHRIS BASHAM STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY BOBBY JONES
S.T.R.I.V.E. steppers stand in the ready position. The basis of the step program is to teach a cultural awareness, respect, physical fitness, unity, team work and pride.
Lora Fitzgerald, program specialist for the Bowie Community Center, is bringing her college passion to middle school students in a pilot program there and at community centers in Kentland, Suitland and Bladensburg. The S.T.R.I.V.E. program, which offers nutrition and wellness education paired with stepping, is in its first year. Stepping, a percussive dance form created by African-American Greek organizations as part of fraternity and sorority recruiting and rush activities, has evolved over the past half century into a performance art among high school students, as well. Fitzgerald said that the S.T.R.I.V.E., which stands for Success through Teamwork, Respect, Inclusiveness, Values and Excellence, is the nation’s first
structured stepping and wellness instruction program aimed at middle school students. Twice per week, students ages 11 to 15 gather at one of four S.T.R.I.V.E. sites in the county, at community centers in Suitland, Bowie, Kentland and Bladensburg. The sites were chosen in part out of a desire to cooperate with countywide Transforming Neighborhoods Initiative programs, which focuses local governmental, community and business resources on shoring up struggling neighborhoods. Suitland, Kentland and Bladensburg’s community centers each are within one of the county’s six TNI areas. Approximately 50 to 60 youth participate in the program, which is funded through a partnership with the county’s arts, health and wellness and North, Central and South-county operations departments.
“It has been a collective effort to t make this happen. My directors and deputy directors really are behind the program. They come out,” Fitzgerald said. At each site, participants learn about nutrition and wellness, hear talks on the core values of S.T.R.I.V.E., share a healthful meal, learn Greek letters and life and study skills and practice step routines. They also visit local universities to show off their stepping skills and learn from fraternity and sorority step groups. Recreation and Parks Department Director Ronnie Gathers said that the program included a baseline health assessment and will include another assessment once the season’s program is completed, to show the participating youth that “even the simplest activity can impact their health.”
see S.T.R.I.V.E., page 4
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Andrews Gazette
HOT TICKETS
Commentary
Welcome home, Col. McGouldrick
Around Town December 13 - 14
Holiday Candlelight Tours Montpelier Mansion, 9650 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, Md. 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. See local performers over light refreshments. Children can make a holiday craft. Friday features free admission for Girl Scouts; Saturday offers free admission for Boy Scouts. For information visit www.pgparks.com.
December 15
The Washington Chorus performs A Candlelight Christmas The Kennedy Center, 2700 F Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 5 p.m. For the 53rd season, the Chorus performs carols, singalongs, new favorites and classics. For information visit www.thewashingtonchorus.org.
December 13-15
A Matt Conner Christmas Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, Va. Showtimes vary Hear Christmas songs in a variety of genres from bluegrass to classical. For information visit www.signaturetheatre.org.
December 15
A French Christmas Christ Lutheran Church, 8011 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, Md. 3 p.m. A 60-voice chorale, the Peabody Conservatory’s string ensemble and organist Andrew Johnathan Welch feature French classical and modern holiday songs. For information visit www.georgetownchorale.org.
COMPRINT MILITARY PUBLICATIONS
Andrews Gazette is published by Comprint Military Publications, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force or any branch of the United States military. The appearance of advertising in these publications, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or the products and services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, martial status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non merit factor of the purchases, user or patron.
Maxine Minar, president mminar@dcmilitary.com John Rives, publisher
jrives@dcmilitary.com
Chris Basham, editor cbasham@dcmilitary.com Deirdre Parry, page design dparry@gazette.net Bobby Jones, photographer bjones@dcmilitary.com
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Friday, December 13, 2013
BY CHRIS BASHAM STAFF WRITER
Exactly 45 years after then-Maj. Francis J. McGouldrick Jr. of New Haven, Conn. was first listed as missing in action, after a crash over Laos, McGouldrick will be buried today at Arlington National Cemetery, honored by his four daughters, extended family and friends, the United States Air Force and a grateful nation. McGouldrick’s B-57E Canberra collided with another aircraft during a night mission on Dec. 13, 1968, and McGouldrick, who had been copilot of the craft, was never found alive. He was promoted to Colonel while listed missing in action. His widow, Jacquelyn McGouldrick, died of breast cancer in 1980, and was buried at Arlington. After the Vietnam War, joint U.S./ Lao People’s Democratic Republic teams searched crash sites repeatedly between 1993 and 2004, looking
for the remains of McGouldrick and other members of his aircrew. A new site located April 8, 2007, near the village of Keng Keuk, was excavated three times between Oct. 2011 and May 2012, yielding aircraft wreckage and human remains. McGouldrick’s remains were identified by scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, and his family was informed of the positive identification this past September. McGouldrick’s daughters requested that their father’s burial at Arlington be scheduled for Dec. 13, 45 years to the day after he gave his life in service to his nation. He will be laid to rest with his wife, who never gave up hope of his return. There are still 1,644 American service members unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. Of that number, 599 of the lost service members have been classified by the Department of Defense as “no further pursuit”: they are known to be dead
but no remains will be found. There is still hope for the rest, that they might be found and returned home after continued searching. Searching for missing service members of the Vietnam era is seen by some as a mission that might not be worth the risk and expense, anymore. Too much time has gone by. Perhaps we, as a nation, would like to forget that there were those who obeyed the call to a polarizing war, and who never returned. So long as we have the resources to keep looking, we owe it to those honorable members of our armed forces to do what we can to find them, to bring them home, and to allow their families to know where they are buried. It’s the right thing to do for each of them, and for those still serving in harm’s way in today’s conflicts. Welcome home, Col. McGouldrick. We thank you, and your family, for sacrificing so much for all of us. Rest in peace.
have health issues or questions. When they need to make an appointment, they feel confident that they’ll get one, and be seen by providers who know their conditions and medical histories. Patients with complex medical issues also have ready access to the “medical neighborhood” within the hospital. Sections of the hospital are color-coded so visitors can quickly get their bearings. All in-patient rooms have one bed, and a pull-out sofa for family members’ overnight stays.
convert to electronic means of delivery to help reduce mailing costs. Send all address changes to www. retirees.af.mil/afterburner. The Air Force Retiree Services website at www.retirees.af.mil is also a good source for news and information. For questions that can’t be answered on the website, retirees and annuitants should call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102.
Retiree Corner COURTESY OF THE RETIREE ACTIVITIES OFFICE
Belvoir hospital advanced care
When the Fort Belvoir, Va. Community Hospital opened its doors in 2011, it was the nation’s newest, most technologically advanced military treatment facility, the first to receive “green” construction certification and one of only two joint hospitals in the Military Health System. It has 120 inpatient beds. Most of the facility is built around 440 examination rooms and 55 clinics that concentrate on outpatient care and preventive medicine. Early returns are positive. Making appointments is easier than before. Parking is convenient. Everything about the hospital is focused directly on patients and their families. Patients are assigned to a “medical home” -- a team of doctors, nurses and specialists who oversee their care. Patients know who to call when they
Afterburner is coming
The Afterburner should be in the mail soon. The Air Force retiree newsletter, once delivered three times a year, has become an annual publication as a result of budget challenges. Cost-cutting measures include automatic electronic subscriptions for new retirees. If e-mail addresses change, retirees need to provide the new address. Those still receiving “hard copies” are urged to
Clark Veterans Cemetery gets help
Operation of the Clark Veterans Cemetery in the Philippines has been transferred to the American Battle Monuments Commission. The cemetery is the final resting place for some 8,300 American service members and their families. Clark AFB was abandoned in1991 after ash from a volcanic explosion covered the base and surrounding
see RETIREE, page 7
Andrews Federal Credit Union food drive helps local charities here and abroad BY SCOTT BOLDEN
ANDREWS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Andrews Federal Credit Union recently held their 2013 Holiday Food Drive at its seven stateside and five overseas locations, to assist families in need during the holidays. “The selflessness and generosity of our members and staff make me proud to serve as CEO of this wonderful organization,” said Jim Hayes, president and CEO. “We are dedicated to serving our members and the local community,” added Oma George, Chief Retail Officer. Andrews Federal Credit Union staff and members contributed more than 2,700 food items for this worthy cause. The items were donated to: • St. Ann’s Maternity Home for Displaced Mothers and Children, Hyattsville, Md. • Ft. Washington Food Pantry • Joint Base Andrews Air-
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Andrews Gazette
Friday, December 13, 2013
DOD officials order disability board results review BY JANIS EL SHABAZZ
AIR FORCE PERSONNEL CENTER PUBLIC AFFAIRS
men’s Attic Food Pantry • Bread for the City, Washington, D.C. as well as food banks
and organizations in New Jersey, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Some Airmen who met a medical or physical disability evaluation board between Sept. 11, 2001 and April 30, 2012 prior to separating from the Air Force may be eligible for re-evaluation, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. When defense officials learned some diagnoses had been changed during board processing between 2001 and 2012, the secretary of defense called for a department-wide review of mental health diagnoses for members who met evaluation boards between the affected dates. The Air Force review identified 250 eligible Airmen
whose mental health diagnoses changed during the disability evaluation process. A mass mailout effort to ensure those Airmen were aware of the opportunity to be re-evaluated elicited 31 responses. To ensure all eligible Airmen receive and respond to the notification letter, the under secretary of defense has requested a second mailing be initiated by Dec. 31, with a required media engagement to precede the mail out. Service members who have received a notification letter are encouraged to respond as stated in the letter. For information concerning the Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review, go to the PDBR website at http://www.health. mil/PDBR. or email PDBR at PDBRPA@afncr.af.mil.
M-NNPC HOSTS ‘GIFT OF GIVING’ WINTER COAT, FOOD DRIVE The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission hosted a Gift of Giving Coat and Food drive Dec. 6 at the Newton White Mansion in Mitchellville, Md. The items collected were distributed to the North Forestville Community Center for donation to the Shepherd’s Cove Shelter in Capitol Heights, Md.
George Bowers, seasonal M-NCPPC employee, right, accepts donated food items from a fellow MarylandNational Capital Park and Planning Commission worker as Keith Shepherd, seasonal M-NCPPC employee packages food items for distribution to local shelters and programs for needy families in the Prince George’s County community Dec. 6.
PHOTOS BY BOBBY JONES
A stream of Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission employees donated food items and winter apparel.
George Bowers, seasonal M-NCPPC employee, loads coats into boxes for distribution during a Gift of Giving Winter Coat/Food Drive Dec. 6.
Keith Shepherd, seasonal M-NCPPC employee, loads donated canned goods.
ARTIST, from page 1 tegrated what they saw in nature and what they learn in school, with the art.” Upper Marlboro resident Diamond Ward, 16, got involved with Get to Know while attending an Expressions overnight camp at a 4-H Center. “They gave me a camera, took us to the woods and told us to take pictures of nature,” Ward said. “I like taking photographs.” Ward’s detail of the leaf-strewn roots of a hardwood tree earned her third place recognition in the high school division of the contest. Though she had not previously entered an art contest, her success through Get to Know has inspired hopes to invest in a quality camera of her own, some day. Prince George’s Parks and Recreation Chief of Special Programs Anthony Nolan said that the main goal of the program was to ‘get kids outside, get them to connect to nature.” The artistic achievement has just been a bonus. “It’s amazing, some of the works that have been turned in,” Nolan said. “The poetry, especial-
PHOTOS/CHRIS BASHAM
The winning high school group project was completed by 27 students at the Kentlands Community Center, under the direction of artist Gary Coltrane, center, in beret.
ly, is some really powerful stuff, and raw. Some of these kids have never had the opportunity to express themselves, or get out in nature.” To Prince George’s Parks and Recreation Director Ronnie Gathers, working together to create art that explores the natural world is an important part of the county’s recreational program offerings, and an investment in the community’s future. “Not everyone plays basketball. Every kid doesn’t want to be a cheerleader. We have to give them exposure to as many differ-
ent recreational opportunities as we can, to develop a lifelong trait, so we can get them out of the bars before they turn 21,” Gathers said. “They come together as strangers (at Expressions camp or at a community center’s Cafe Groove poetry slam), and bond over a period of time.” Gathers grew up in a rural area, and said that children from both urban and rural settings can live in a “recreation desert.” “Those inside the Beltway areas are just as challenged. Kids don’t have access, they can’t get to a program, their parents don’t
Student artists from around the county submitted more than 3,000 pieces of art inspired by time spent out in nature.
have time to take them. It’s the same issue rural children face: How do you get those kids involved?” Gathers asked. “Prince George’s County has really invested in recreation, by having a special tax for that, and the kids are really thriving.” Youth Services Coordinator Stephen Makle is pushing to create those opportunities. “Young people are doing big things. Give them an opportu-
nity, and it just comes out, you know? If you don’t give them the opportunity, nothing happens, but that’s what we do. This one touched a lot of kids,” Makle said of Get to Know. Approximately 250 of the students’ entries are on display through Jan. 1, 2014 at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex gallery in Landover, Md. It is also available at www.get-toknow.org/gallery2013_pgp.
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Andrews Gazette
MAKING A LIST AND CHECKING IT TWICE
Metro and bus fares may increase in 2015 BY SARAH SCULLY
THE PRINCE GEORGE’S GAZETTE
Five-year-old Nicole Clark of New Carrollton, Md., sees her name on the “nice list,” Dec. 7. Nicole came to see Sint Niklaas, the Flemish forerunner of Santa Claus, at Riversdale House Museum in Riverdale Park, Md. with fellow members of Girl Scout Troop #925.
Natalie Webb, consultant nutritionist, makes Patty LaBelle’s Serious Sloppy Joes for the S.T.R.I.V.E. students. Webb teaches a different health and wellness topic nutrition each week at the Suitland Community Center.
S.T.R.I.V.E., from page 1 “We want to change them, mind, body and soul. Stepping is just to get them through the door. We show them, stepping is bigger than what you may think it is,” said Fitzgerald. Though previous generations might have only heard of stepping on a college yard, Fitzgerald said that high school step teams have become common. They also tend to have more female participants, unlike college stepping, which is still heavily an art form for men. Fitzgerald sees the group as yet another opportunity for young men to see strong, active, positive male role models in the instructors at S.T.R.I.V.E., most of whom are members of African American Greek organizations. The Suitland program is taught by dance instructors who have a passion for the dance form, without a background in Greek stepping. Tamar Brackett was
not excited about stepping when she first joined the group. The 11-year-old said that once she got involved, however, “I am a stepper. I was not a stepper but now I am a stepper, because it’s fun, and I have friends.” For middle school boys, the greatest appeal of a step class is often the fact that they are heavily populated with their female peers. “But in middle school they are almost obsolete. If we get them excited at this age, it’s planting the seed. We want to get them active, get them involved,” Fitzgerald said. Depending upon the success of this year’s pilot stepping program, the county’s Recreation and Parks department may consider expanding S.T.R.I.V.E. to other community centers in the future. “Traditionally, stepping is only for fraternities and sororities, but over the past 15 years, youth have become more involved,” Fitzgerald explained. “Not all fraternities and sororities approve. They think
Friday, December 13, 2013
Metro is proposing slight increases for all rail and bus fares, and some parking fare increases, in its proposed 2015 budget, presented at a public hearing on Thursday. Rail fares are proposed to rise by 3 percent, and Metro will eliminate paper fare card fees. For an average daily commuter, this will amount to a $6 per month increase, according to proposed budget estimates. Bus riders will be charged a flat fee of $1.75 on regular buses, and $4 on express buses, as outlined by the budget. SmarTrip card users now pay $1.60 for a bus ride, and cash customers pay $1.80. Since the majority of bus riders use SmarTrip cards — rechargeable cards used to pay Metro and bus fares — this change will increase revenue for Metro, charging the averaqge SmarTrip card-using bus commuter nine more dollars per month, according to preliminary budget estimates. The budget also recommends better lighting in underground stations and improvements to 11 stations. These changes will follow a cut in commuting
subsidies for federal employees and employees of other organizations that offer the benefit, in January 2014. Some workers have been able to spend up to $245 in pre-tax money per month on commuting. Next year the limit will lower to $130 per month, according to an Internal Revenue Service bulletin. The limit had been raised under the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, but expires at the end of this year. Larry Hershman of Takoma Park, also a program officer for the U.S. Department of Transportation, said his department covers commuting costs up to a certain amount. Subsidies vary by department. For him, the fare increase isn’t a major concern, although it may bump his costs just above his reduced subsidy limit once both changes take effect. What does concern Hershman, like many, is the Metro’s regular breakdowns and delays. “As a commuter, I’m very frustrated... The delays are frequent,” he said. “It’s often enough that whenever I have an opportunity to telework, I do, primarily to avoid the mess with commuting.” He estimates that he spends $131 per month on commuting, all of which is covered by the transporta-
tion department. Metro Public Information Officer Morgan Dye wrote, in an email to The Prince George’s Gazette, that the 2015 budget “includes funding to provide safer, better and more service and begins making the down payment for capacity improvements as part of Metro’s 2025 plan.” Among those improvements called for in the plan are more eight-car trains during rush hour and improvements to bus service. The proposed increases are lower than inflation over the last two years, when the last rate adjustments were made, Dye wrote. Maryland’s contribution to the budget could rise to $297.1 million, including $130.3 million on behalf of Montgomery County, of the total proposed $779 million. State representatives are involved in Metro’s budget approval process and the subsidy is factored into the Maryland Department of Transportation’s budget to be approved by the General Assembly. The overall budget would increase by 6 percent. Parking in all stations could go up by 25 cents. This story originally appeared in the Dec. 11 edition of The Prince George’s Gazette.
PHOTOS/BOBBY JONES
Diamond Gaither and James White, step instructors, observe participants perform a step routine at the Suitland Community Center Dec. 6.
you can’t step if you’re not on the line of the frat. But y’all need to get over yourselves.” Fitzgerald hopes to see stepping become a funded sport in the Prince George’s County School system, like football, dance or cheerleading. She is collecting data about step participants, with the goal of creating a monitoring organization similar to the Amateur Athletic Union. “This transcends class lines; it is not urban, suburban or rural. I want to harness it. Recreation and Parks can help do that, because we are a nonprofit organization. It’s a slow, arduous process, but I see it,” Fitzgerald said. Since 1995, Fitzgerald has brought her background in competitive stepping to youth programs in the county. She also leads the Black History Month High School Step Show Challenge, about to celebrate its fifth year, which will be held at Bowie Center for the Performing Arts
in Feb. 2014. At S.T.R.I.V.E., however, she is not a competitor, an instructor, or a leader. When she shows up at the Suitland Community Center, she’s there as a mom, watching her 11-year-old son grow as a stepper. “I was pregnant with him, and didn’t know it, performing in step shows. My son was born into it,” Fitzgerald said. Though Fitzgerald has been involved with stepping for many years, other parents come to the program not knowing much about it. Rhonda Davis of Temple Hills signed her daughter up for the group after coming by to observe them. Her 14-year-old, Danielle, also steps with her Girl Scout troop. “It was the structure (that appealed to me),” said Davis. “Danielle loves this program and it gives them ample activities, keeps them busy, takes them on field trips and teaches them teamwork and collaboration.”
Natalie Webb, consultant nutritionist, answers health questions during a weekly nutrition class.
The Suitland, Kentland, Bowie and Bladensburg S.T.R.I.V.E. teams will each perform seven-minute step routines for a culminating event Jan. 18, 2014 at Publick Playhouse in Landover, Md. The event will also feature demonstrations by local Greek step teams and other performances. “I’m in a sorority,” said Fitzgerald. “I’m going to have my letters on.”
A group of S.T.R.I.V.E. members freeze their position at the conclusion of a step routine.
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Andrews Gazette
Friday, December 13, 2013
Sailors honor Pearl Harbor at Tomb of Unknowns BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 1ST CLASS TIM COMERFORD
ARLINGTON, Va. -- Naval History and Heritage Command’s two youngest Sailors honored the veterans of the attack on Pearl Harbor with a wreath laying ceremony, sponsored by the Naval Order of the United States, Dec. 7 at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknowns. Information Systems Technician Seaman Yesenia Munoz of Houston, Texas, and Yeoman 3rd Class Victoria Ruiz of Hacienda Heights, Calif., were well aware of the importance of honoring those who were there on what President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s described as “a date which will live in infamy.” “At first I was nervous when I found out how many people would be here,” Munoz said. “After that, I was excited to be a part of this ceremony. I just wanted to do everything correctly and show everyone how much of a blessing it is to have been chosen for this great opportunity. “ “The thought of being in front did make me nervous,” Ruiz agreed. “I understand the importance of the ceremony and know that the audience is visiting from various corners of the country and world.” Both Sailors realize that it is important to mark important moments in the history of the Navy and the nation.
U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 1ST CLASS TIM COMERFORD
Assisted by a member of the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Honor Guard, Information Systems Technician Seaman Yesenia Munoz, 19, A sailor from Naval History and Heritage Command and a native of Houston, Texas, and Naval Sea Cadet Saddique Stevens lay the wreath honoring veterans of the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknowns. The wreath, sponsored by the Naval Order of the United States, is part of a world-wide observance honoring the service and sacrifice of those who were there on that day of infamy.
“By participating in remembrance ceremonies, we are honoring the lives that were lost in the line of duty and what they died for by keeping their memories alive in our hearts,” said Ruiz. “I believe it helps us remember why we serve our country and that freedom is not free.” “It helps us to be proud of our jobs and understand the heritage
of what we do every day as service members and to remember those who gave their lives in defense of the Nation,” Munoz added. Ruiz and U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Nicklaus Tollmeo watched solemnly as Munoz and U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Saddique Stevens laid the wreath; then they all saluted those who had made the ultimate sacrifice, as the crowd remained
hushed in respect for the moment and the tomb. Munoz and Ruiz were proud to represent their command and their service at such an auspicious event. “I’ve never done anything like this before,” Munoz said. “I am very honored and proud to have been chosen. I am happy I got to do it and I enjoyed it.” “I’m blessed to represent NHHC at this event,’ Ruiz agreed. “Not many individuals get an opportunity to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. I was intimidated at first, and then I felt very honored. It being on a day of remembrance for the attack on Pearl Harbor makes it an even more special event.” At 6 a.m. on Dec. 7, 1941, six Japanese carriers launched a first wave of 181 planes composed of torpedo bombers, dive bombers, horizontal bombers and fighters toward Hawaii. The Japanese aircrews achieved complete surprise, hitting American ships and military installations on Oahu shortly before 8 a.m. More than 90 ships were anchored in Pearl Harbor, but Japan’s primary targets were the eight battleships anchored there. Seven were moored on Battleship Row along the southeast shore of Ford Island, while the USS Pennsylvania (BB 38) lay in dry dock across the channel. Less than two hours after it began, the American forces had paid a heavy price. Twenty-one
ships of the U.S. Pacific Fleet were sunk or damaged, 188 aircraft destroyed and 159 damaged, the majority hit before they had a chance to take off. American dead numbered more than 2,000 with more than 1,000 military and civilian wounded. The attack which horrified a nation was the catalyst that brought America into World War II. The Naval History and Heritage Command at the Washington Navy Yard is responsible for the preservation, analysis, and dissemination of U.S. Naval history and heritage. It is composed of many activities including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archaeology, Navy history, nine museums, USS Constitution repair facility and the historic ship Nautilus. The Naval Order of the United States was founded in 1890 by descendants of New England seafarers who fought in the Revolutionary War. The Order’s charge is to encourage research and writing on naval and maritime subjects and to promote the preservation of historic artifacts and memories of naval and maritime history. For more information on the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor visit the Naval History and Heritage Command Website at www. history.navy.mil For more news from Naval History and Heritage Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navhist/.
On Newtown anniversary, Maryland lawmakers ponder gun law changes BY KATE S. ALEXANDER
THE PRINCE GEORGE’S GAZETTE
One year after 20 students and six adults lost their lives in the mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., Maryland operates under a new gun law aimed at stemming the tide of gun violence within its borders.
“We experience a Newtown every day in the U.S.,” state Sen. Brian E. Frosh said. “There are 25 to 30 killings by firearms every single day, it’s just not all in one place.” Gun violence is a serious public health issue, said Frosh (DDist. 16) of Chevy Chase, a 2014 Democratic candidate for attorney general, and Senate leader on
the gun law that passed in 2013. But he said it took the deadly shootings of schoolchildren last December to galvanize the public and lawmakers behind the Firearms Safety Act of 2013. The new law, supported by Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) and adopted by the General Assembly early this year, requires background checks, fingerprinting, training
and a licensing fee for everyone purchasing regulated firearms — a category that includes handguns but not shotguns or hunting rifles. The law also bans about 40 semi-automatic rifles deemed to be “assault weapons” and magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. It also restricts gun ownership by certain
people with a history of mental illness. The Firearms Safety Act of 2013 took effect Oct. 1. Time will tell if the changes actually save lives and prevent a massacre in Maryland. Opponents, however, say the law missed the mark.
see GUN, page 7
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Operation Homefront, Fisher House, Wal-Mart support “Holiday Meals for Military” BY BOBBY JONES
STAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST
Operation Homefront of the National Capital Region, Fisher House and WalMart honored military members at a “Holiday Meals for Military” event Dec. 9 at Colony South Hotel in Clinton, Md., one of 22 celebrations nationwide. Military families were welcomed by Wal-mart employees and members of the 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron, who served hot chocolate and cookies before presenting approximately 300 holiday meals with full trimmings provided by Operation Homefront. The military families were also given upscale back packs from Thirty One, while carolers performed and even Santa and his elves appeared to check out who’s been naughty or nice for Christmas gifts. Representatives from Operation Homefront, Fisher House and Wal-Mart shared holiday wishes for the military families. “We’re all here to celebrate our program of Holiday Meals for the Military today,” said Executive Director, Operation Homefront, D.C. Metro, Vivian Dietrich. “Operation Homefront has been supporting our troops since 9/11. We take care of their families, and during this time of year there are so many families who are separated and it’s so very difficult to go through a holiday season with a loved one in a combat zone or a loved one who might be recuperating from an injury at one of several medical facilities that we have serving our troops. And OP HF is there to help serve these families. We’re delighted to be here to share in the wonderful program that Wal-Mart has brought to our organization. The program is one of 22 programs across the nation that we’ll being doing during the holiday season to provide food for our service members and we’re very proud and grateful to Wal-Mart for all they’ve done to support us, including the Wal-Mart volunteers who’ve been out here today since six this morning.” “It does take a community to support our troops and we do it by collaborating with other organizations. We’re sharing this wonderful program Wal-Mart has provided with the Fisher House. Fisher House is very near and dear to all of us,” Dietrich concluded. ”It’s a tremendous thrill to be a part of this today,” said David Coker, President, Fisher House Foundation. “At Fisher House, we provide a ‘home away from home’ for our military families and our veteran families across the country. If you’re a military family and your husband or wife has been deployed when you get that call phone call you want two things. You’ve learned your loved has been wounded or injured; you want the best medical care possible and you want to be there.” Coker noted while the military and heath care systems provide world class heath care, allowing families to be there is a little more of a challenge. “That’s where Fisher House comes in. Our founder, Zack Fisher, wrote a personal check for the first 24 houses and people across this country helped build them. Just last month we dedicated our 62nd House. We’ll be able to help more than 20,000 families this year. But you meet the needs of one family at a time, especially at the holidays,” Coker said. “This is not the first time we’ve had the privilege of working with Wal-Mart. We had a Deck the Halls campaign and through Wal-Mart we were able to decorate all of the Fisher Houses for Christmas, making the holiday season special. And with this holiday salute Wal-Mart has set the standard and has given us our largest grant
Vivian Dietrich, Executive Director, Operation Homefront, D.C. Metro, addresses military family members during the welcoming remarks during a Holiday Meals for Military event held at the Colony South Hotel in Clinton, Md. Dec. 9. The event was one of 22 programs held across the nation during the holiday season to provide food for military families.
Approximately 300 holiday meal gift bags with full trimmings lay waiting for military family members to collect inside the Colony South Hotel in Clinton, Md.
ever to our Sponsor a Family program. And through their support we’ll be able to provide 50,000 nights of lodging to our military families and heroes. And that’s special.” “We build the homes as a gift to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and the Department of Veterans Affairs,” said Coker, who then praised the dedication and passion of all Fisher House managers, before introducing Janet Grampp, Joint Base Andrews Fisher House manager. “Thank you for what you do for our military families,” said Grampp. “Our jobs, all of us managers are to provide an environment that tries to eliminate some of the stress. We want to provide an environment that’s wholesome and clean, inviting, warm and provide a support network that gets these families the support they need during these difficult times. So that’s what I do on a daily basis and I wouldn’t trade jobs for anything. I’m truly blessed.”
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Dandy Sullivan, 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron packing supervisor, carries bags full of holiday trimmings for Jessica Perciful and her son, Riley, 3.
Tonya Marbury, right, Walmart department manager of produce, provides a military family with a holiday meal and trimmings.
Tech. Sgt. Cindy Phillips, 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron, gives military children free coloring books.
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Kim Webur and her family are greeted by Wal-mart employees bearing a free holiday meal package.
Grampp spoke about how Wal-mart warmed the hearts of a Fisher House family at Joint Base Andrews. “There was a family that stayed at our location not too long ago, during the holidays. It was a young mother who came with her three children from Germany. The children were very small and one of them was very ill, who she was seeking medical care for. Her husband was stationed in Afghanistan at the time.” Grampp said the mother would bring her kids down to the kitchen to feed them breakfast every morning before going to the hospital. ”She always had her laptop on the counter, Skyping with her husband on the other end still in Afghanistan; keeping the family connected. So after breakfast and family time, she packed her kids up and left for the hospital. While she was out, Wal-Mart came and decked the halls,” said Grampp. “And I’m not kidding you, they decked them good! They put up a Christmas tree, decorated the mantel and the entire house while the family was at the hospital. When they came back, the children being only 5, 4 and 2 years-old, were beyond excited that somebody had come in and completely decorated the house for Christmas’ sake. The children thought it was a bunch of elves, and I said yes, that’s exactly who they have working at Wal-Mart. Amazing elves! And that’s just one story of many families that Wal-mart has helped. But that’s what we do at Fisher House. We make sure that at those times that these families have the opportunity to be together, utilize the kitchen to make the special holiday treats that they want, put gifts under the tree and to just have a holiday that you would have at your home. So we
thank Wal-mart for that support of the Fisher House. We really do appreciate it.” Wal-Mart Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations Nina Albert called the event a combination of efforts and vision. “As David Coker mentioned, this really is a village. But it’s also really important to remember the sacrifices that the military wives and husbands of the deployed make back at home.” “Wal-Mart witnesses the sacrifices first hand in many of the communities that we serve as those who are affected by deployment are friends or neighbors, customers and our associates. These personal experiences make us understand the critical need for supporting military families.” Albert said that the Wal-Mart Foundation $2 million holiday donation is in addition to their commitment to give $20 million through 2015 to help veterans and their families prepare for success civilian life through job training, transition support and education. “Wal-Mart also recently made a commitment to hire 100,000 veterans by the end of 2018. We made that commitment this past Veterans Day and to date, we’ve already hired 20,000 veterans,” said Albert. “With today’s holiday salute to military families, we are reinforcing our pledge to support our military heroes in every way that we can.” Dandy Sullivan, 11 LRS packing supervisor, was glad to volunteer to help families on a day that was special for personal reasons, as well. “This is my first time supporting something like this, but I’m celebrating my 59th birthday with military families today,” said Sullivan. “They really deserve it.”
For more news from other bases around the Washington, D.C. area,
visit www.dcmilitary.com.
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Friday, December 13, 2013
USNA 2014 Summer STEM Program seeks students BY LT. TENG K. OOI, PHD U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY
Each June, the United States Naval Academy launches a Summer Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program to expose young people to STEM concepts and technologies. The USNA 2014 Summer STEM Program is designed to encourage 8th-11th graders to pursue a course of study in STEM-related subjects throughout high school, college, and beyond. The aim is to integrate STEM-focused concepts across the curriculum and pave the way for students to succeed academically in mathematics and science and help put them on
GUN, from page 5 “I think Maryland did nothing whatsoever to curb gun violence,” said Del. Michael D. Smigiel Sr. “All we did was attempt to make criminals out of law-abiding citizens.” Smigiel (R-Dist. 36) of Chesapeake City called the law “tyranny” that fails to actually punish “bad guys with guns.” As just one example, Smigiel said the law allows residents to buy banned weapons out of state and bring those weapons into Maryland but it prevents visitors with permits to carry a concealed weapon in other states from carrying in Maryland. “The law is just feelgood legislation that really just complicates the matter for law-abiding Marylanders,” Smigiel said. “I don’t think anybody can point to any aspect of that law and show where any portion of it made people safer.” Vincent DeMarco, president of Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence, is confident lives will be saved, particularly by the fingerprint requirement for licensing. “It’s going to prevent people from lying about who they are, and it’s going to deter people from buying guns who are criminals,”
a path towards successful STEM careers. An effective and practical way to stimulate student interest in STEM is to show how mathematics and science are applied to create exciting technologies. The 2014 STEM program will showcase the latest in technological advances in a wide variety of science and engineering topics including energy and light, infrastructure, transportation, cybersecurity, environmental challenges, flight and fluids, automation, simulation and modeling, biometrics and robotics. Students participate in project-based modules using a hands-on, real-world approach to solving design and analysis problems in
the Naval Academy’s worldclass laboratory facilities. This unique learning environment promotes engineering “habits of mind” such as systems thinking, optimization, innovation, creativity, and team work. It exposes students to a problem-based environment, outside the traditional classroom. Our 2014 Summer STEM Program will be a great start to your career in science and engineering. APPLICATIONS OPEN Jan. 6, 2014 at www.usna. edu/admissions/stem. 2014 Session Dates: June 2 - June 7, for rising 8th & 9th Graders; June 9 - June 14, for rising 10th Graders; June 16 - June 20, for rising 11th Graders.
STEM students participate in a variety of hands-on STEM activities, and have the opportunity to interact with USNA faculty and midshipmen, who serve as role models and mentors.
DeMarco said. “It’s a really good strategy for reducing gun violence.” A 2013 study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Center for Gun Policy and Research found that once implemented, Maryland’s law would reduce gun trafficking, gun crime and gun homicides. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence ranked Maryland fourth in the nation for best gun laws and gave it a grade of A based on thirty policy areas, including background checks and access of dangerous persons to weapons. “We know from other states that these laws work,” DeMarco said. But in Maryland, Smigiel said the licensing requirement has an already backlogged Maryland State Police unable to meet the law’s mandate that it only take seven days to process background checks. At present, he said police are taking as long as 120 days to process background checks. If gun shop owners were allowed to do those checks, it would take mere seconds, he said. State police did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Maryland’s new law allows residents who owned assault weapons or maga-
zines over 10 rounds before Oct. 1 to keep those weapons. As a result, thousands of Marylanders flocked to buy guns in the months between passage and Oct. 1. Maryland had more purchases of guns in the first nine months of 2013 than in the prior year and half, Del. Luiz R.S. Simmons said. Simmons, while a supporter of the bill, is critical of many of its provisions. “There was literally a tidal wave of gun purchases in Maryland,” Simmons (DDist. 17) of Rockville said. “I believe Maryland is armed to the teeth and I do not believe the governor’s bill went far enough.” Simmons is a candidate for the District 17 state Senate seat. “What this law did was [create] a buying frenzy,” Del. John W.E. Cluster Jr. said. “Maryland put 100,000 more guns on the street by this law.” Cluster (R-Dist. 8) of Parkville, a retired police sergeant, said he knows residents who bought assault weapons for no other reason than the coming ban. “I do not know the solution to gun violence. We will always have gun violence. It is always going to happen,” he said. One solution might be to make it easier for residents who want to carry a weapon to do so, he said.
Cluster is one of a few lawmakers who do not feel the 2013 law ends the gun debate. He has filed a bill for 2014 that would place an armed safety resource officer in every Maryland school in an effort to protect students should a shooting like Sandy Hook happen here. A December 2013 report from the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association found it took responding Newtown officers 8 minutes and 39 seconds from the first call to 911 until they entered Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012. Just minutes before they entered, shooter Adam Lanza had ended his rampage by taking his own life. Newtown officers were on the scene only 1 minute and 10 seconds before Lanza’s suicide, the report found. Cluster said an armed officer in the building could have responded more quickly and potentially saved lives. Smigiel and Simmons are also proposing amendments to fix what they see as a flaws in the law. Both said mental illness was under-addressed. Lanza, the man responsible for the Newtown massacre, had a history of mental illness. Yet long before Lanza entered Sandy Hook Elementary School, Simmons said
PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSICA CLARK
a Maryland task force was studying the access of those with mental illness to firearms. An amendment to require mental health professionals report to police when a patient discloses an intent to harm or kill is among those Simmons said he plans to bring to the floor in 2014. Smigiel said he plans to again propose three amendments addressing mental illness that failed last session, including a bill to provide access to local mental health care for those who are released from long-term facilities. Smigiel is also proposing a change to eliminate a regulatory requirement that applicants for a handgun license shoot a firearm first. As the legislature enters an election year, Frosh said it is unlikely it will reopen the gun debate. “There’s still a lot of things we should do or should have done, but this is such a major change in the law,” Frosh said. “There are a lot of things we’d like to tighten up but I am not optimistic we’ll have another swing at it for while.” This story originally appeared in the Dec. 11 edition of The Prince George’s Gazette.
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Security Forces Police Blotter The Security Forces Blotter is intended to keep members of the Joint Base Andrews Community informed and aware of the crimes and offenses that occur throughout the base each week. If you have any information that may help Security Forces solve a crime or prevent a criminal act, please contact BDOC (Base Defense Operations Center) at 301-981-2001, CRIME STOP LINE 981-2677 (COPS), or the investigations section at 301-981-5656. 8:45 a.m., Nov. 18, 2013: SF personnel discovered drugs during a search of a privately owned vehicle whose driver was attempting to enter the installation at the Pearl Harbor Gate. The individual was charged accordingly. 7:31 a.m., Nov. 20, 2013: A physical altercation occurred in the Liberty Park housing area. Both individuals were charged accordingly. 7:44 a.m., Nov. 29, 2013: A individual was discovered driving on Joint Base Andrews while under suspension of driving privileges. The individual was charged via Article 92 and an additional two years was added to the driving suspension. 4:38 p.m., Nov. 29, 2013: SF responded to Liberty Park housing for damage to personal property. This incident was referred to 11 SFS/S3I for further investigation. 8:05 p.m., Nov. 29, 2013: SF responded to a theft at the base Exchange. Individual was detained by the Loss Prevention office. The individual was charged accordingly. The price of the item stolen was $7.95. 2:40 p.m., Nov. 5, 2013: A individual was escorted to BDOC due to suspicion of drunk on duty. Suspicion was confirmed. Individual was charged accordingly.
RETIREE, from page 2 cemetery. Volunteers maintained the cemetery until the Congressional action. The Retiree Activities Office is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visit the office in Building 1604 at California and Colorado Avenues or call us at 301-9812726. Our e-mail address is rao@andrews.af.mil. Call the office before your visit to ensure a volunteer is on duty. The RAO has a website at www.andrews.af.mil; Under “Helpful Links” click on “Retirees Activity Office” for information on retiree subjects, including past copies of “Retiree Corner.”
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CAPTION THIS
Friday, December 13, 2013
Ask the Lawyer Can I be punished for both stealing mail and opening it? BY MATHEW B. TULLY
Q. If a service member steals someone else’s mail, can he be punished for both the theft of the mail and opening it?
Send your silly captions for this week’s photo to cbasham@dcmilitary.com. The funniest ones will be used in a future edition of The Andrews Gazette.
COMMUNITY, from page 1 will be pushing to establish countywide preschool programs over the next two legislative sessions. “We are in the process right now, in the county, of transforming us as a county into a destination for the world. We can’t do big things in this county without taking care of our public schools,” Franklin said He also encouraged local business owners “to get certified as local, or local, small businesses, through the Office of Central Services, for preference points on county contracts and direct participation on county contracts.’ Maryland State Delegate Jay Walker
(D-Dist. 26) said that upcoming legislation would be part of “a really concerted effort to make Maryland more user-business-friendly,” including the possibility of lowering state corporate income tax rates. Though the overall tone of elected officials speaking to the group was enthusiastic, Representative Donna Edwards (D-Md. Dist. 4) reminded attendees that progress is a slow and deliberative process without guarantees, especially at the federal level. “Congressmen Hoyer and I hare working very hard with the GSA, but it will be days, months, or however away before decisions are made about bringing the FBI to Prince George’s County,” Edwards said.
A. Usually, when a service member wrongfully opens mail matter, he or she does so to steal its contents, such as money or credit cards. A service member could also, for example, glean sensitive personal information from wrongfully opened mail matter and take nothing from it. As the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals (NMCCA) noted in U.S. v. Matthew R. Dixson (2003), “[t]he military makes criminal the act of opening mail matter under certain circumstances because one can open mail matter wrongfully without stealing it, or even removing it from the mail room.” Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice prohibits the wrongful taking, opening, destroying, or secreting of the mail. Generally, courts will not convict service members of separate specifications of opening mail matter and stealing the same mail matter in violation of Article 134. “[O]nce the letter in question is stolen, the acts of opening, secreting, and destroying this mail are subsumed by the larceny. The acts themselves are, in part, the objective manifestations of the accused’s larcenous intent,” the NMCCA said in U.S. Myles D. Loutzenhiser (1999).
That is not to say service members cannot be convicted of both wrongfully opening mail matter and stealing money from mail matter. The case, U.S. v. Anthony G. Real (1958), involved an Army private who was convicted of opening and secreting mail matter in violation of Article 134 and stealing $5 from one mail matter and a $35 money order from another in violation of Article 121. The U.S. Court of Military Appeals did not find the same crime was being charged more than once because out of the 25 letters the private opened and stored in his foot locker, the money and mail order were only stolen from two of them. That left 23 letters not involved in the larceny. The court found it was clear that the private, who claimed he opened the letters out of curiosity, was “guided by two independent impulses.” Service members charged with opening, secreting, destroying, or stealing mail should immediately contact a military law attorney. Depending on the circumstances, an attorney could show the service member mistook the mail to be his or her own or the same offense is being charged more than once. Mathew B. Tully is an Iraq war veteran and founding partner of the law firm Tully Rinckey PLLC. E-mail questions to askthelawyer@fedattorney.com. The information in this column is not intended as legal advice.
Readers speak out
Sexual assault is not a core value
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We are fortunate to live in a country with a strong military heritage based on core values supported by the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Sadly, though, what too often happens to victims of sexual assault in the military service is not at all honorable or justified. Military sexual assault is a high-profile area of interest for Washington’s leaders. Though intended to support victims of sexual assault, the end result often is re-victimization, issues related to confidentiality and lack of justice. It’s difficult to encourage a victim of sexual assault to face military leadership and peers, suffer through the justice system only to have minimal punishments doled out, live and work in isolation or become labeled as a “troublemaker.” Major General Gary Patton, director of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, stated in an interview with the Huffington Post (May 07, 2013) that “….under-reporting remains a major impediment to addressing the issue.” The primary reason for the undereporting of sexual assault incidents is fear of retaliation or reprisal from the victim’s unit. According to the SAPRO report (2013), of the victims that chose not to report 47 percent were afraid of retaliation and 43 percent heard about negative experiences of those who reported an assault. Other reasons for not reporting include, the victims did not want anyone to know, they felt uncomfortable making a report, they did not think the report will be kept confidential, and some of them did not think anything would happen within the military justice system. These are all legitimate concerns that need to be addressed by leadership. Lack of trust is a challenging obstacle to overcome. It is difficult for victims to know who to trust when reporting a sexual assault. The Combating Military Sexual Assault Act of 2013 is a bipartisan bill to enhance assistance for victims of sexual assault committed by members of the Armed Forces. Senators Patty Murray (DWA) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) introduced the act on May 7, 2013. This bill expands and improves the Military Sexual Assault prevention and response resources available to victims of these crimes. The MSA Act provides all victims of sexual assault with Special Victim’s counsel, who assist victims throughout the military legal process. The Act also requires the Department of Defense’s SAPRO to track and report on various statistics including assault rates, number of cases brought to trial, and compliance with appropriate laws and regulations for each branch of service. In addition, the Act requires referral of sexual assault cases to the general court-martial level when sexual assault charges are filed or to the next superior competent authority when there is a conflict of interest in the immediate chain of command. Most importantly, the Act also prohibits the convening authority from dismissing or setting aside a finding of guilty or reduc-
ing a finding of guilty to a lesser included offense. Sen. Kristin Gillibrand, [D-NY]. has begun pushing for massive revisions to the military justice code that would remove the handling of serious crimes, including sexual assault, from the chain of command. “As we have heard over and over again from the victims and the top military leadership themselves, there is a lack of trust in the system that has a chilling effect. It is time for Congress to seize the opportunity, listen to the victims and create an independent, objective and non-biased military justice system,” said Gillbrand. One substantial divide questions how much power to leave commanders who oversee the military justice system. Sen. Gillibrand, along with Sen. Susan Collins, [R-ME], championed a bipartisan bill that would take the power to decide which sexual assault cases to prosecute out of the chain of command but leaves the judicial process within the military. While this point of view is valid and has significant support, the opposition led by Chairman Carl Levin, [D-MI], provides a strong defense for commanders, arguing that commanders have the ultimate responsibility to fix the program. “The key to cultural change in the military is the chain of command,” Levin said. “Only the chain of command has the authority needed to address any problems with command climate that foster or tolerate sexual assaults…The chain of command has achieved cultural change before…and they can do it again.” Up to now, Congress has aimed to overhaul the military from within, particularly its system of justice, which is entirely separate from the civilian legal system and which until recently had been decades behind with regard to handling rape and sexual assault. The government owes it to our service members to protect them from criminals within the ranks. Better treatment for military sexual assault survivors is critical. While it won’t cure all the problems facing military personnel and veterans, it will help. This is the minimum service members should expect from the Pentagon if the end goal is legitimately trying to combat sexual assault in the ranks. Last year, the Department of Defense estimates there were 26,000 cases of unwanted sexual contact in the military, but only 3,374 sexual assaults were reported. Obstacles to reporting and prosecuting sexual assaults in the military must be eliminated. Service members rely on each other to conquer the enemy. The enemy should not be in their ranks. Submitted by, Alicia Burton, Francis Sizer, Anginette Mendiola and La Tanya Keaton MSW graduate students, University of Southern California
Friday, December 13, 2013
Andrews Gazette
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