"awol" -- typo there.

what a horrible situation. basically: have sex with a creep now or get sent out to defuse ieds tomorrow. there should be severe punishment for officers who get it on with underlings. talk about taking advantage.

I think that if "command rape" is so common that they actually have a special phrase for it, that pretty much kills the idea that rape is such a horrible disruption to unit cohesion that it would practically never be allowed to happen.

I think that's revolting! When the military explicitly denies what went wrong, and does not take seriously the complaint, what kind of security do women have in the army?

That interview is really good. It's inspiring to read how supportive and courageous the mother is.

i watched this mom talk yesterday on amy's show..and it was heart wrenching to see -- they plan on going to the army base where she can't leave and have a vigil for her b-day this weekend

her dad is supposed to talk tonight..you can log into the democracynow.org and listen

Hopefully the equal opportunity officer recorded her complaint or at least will confirm that she tried to make a complaint (assuming she did try).

It seems that the people in higher positions (ie. with actual power) actually paid attention to her complaints, and those in lower ones (ie. only with power directly over their underlings) were the ones abusing it. So is this a problem with the people themselves, or a case of the upper powers allowing this to happen to maintain the rigid power structure? Thoughts?

Either way, it sickens me. This poor girl is only six months older than I am, and she's been put through hell. And once again, moms prove that they rock.

Democracy Now! should be commended for its on going coverage of the story of this courageous woman and her family. As a show that only has an hour every weekday to discuss the critical stories ignored by the "mainstream media," which are too many to do justice to, I think speaks to their priorities that they have reported on Swift 3 times, twice this week.

I wish the public really knew how bad sexual harassment is in the military! I was in the Army from the age 17 to 21 and I can't tell you how much harassment I endured!!!! From my direct supervisor to my fellow soldiers….there was no talk of Equal Oppertunity! We had Sex Ed every quarter and safety talks every Friday, but NEVER any sexual harassment training!

It is REALLY tough being a woman in the Army. You want to show the guys that you can do the job just as well as they can, you constantly need to prove yourself. Surrounded by large groups of guys (often times the only female) it’s frequent that you find yourself in uncomfortable situations, but there is a fear of breaking a comradery or looking like the ‘bitch’ if you speak up for yourself.

It really makes me sad when I look back at those 4 years and I remember going to the field and being afraid that the sergeant in charge of me may stop all his talk and actually try to do something to me! Or putting up with all the pornographic emails that my so called ‘male friends’ would send me while we were over seas.

What really broke my heart were moments that I realized the guys who I looked at as friends, even father figures, were just trying to get in my pants. I completely understand why and how this girl could chose to go AWOL. It really feels like you have no one to talk to….
When you do report…�What happened from there was, they were both interrogated. They were both basically found guilty, and he was moved to a different unit, and she was treated like a traitor for months.�

Thanks for the comments and the personal story about the reality of a ' life in the military. My daughter also was shocked at the way her Sgts turned into predators when they reached Iraq. No more "big brother" energy. It was all about who could make her their "private" overseas. How sad and scary to think of all the 18 and 19 year olds over there now fending for their lives.
Speak up, my sisters, speak up.

Peace~
Sara, a proud mom

Thanks for the comments and the personal story about the reality of a ' life in the military. My daughter also was shocked at the way her Sgts turned into predators when they reached Iraq. No more "big brother" energy. It was all about who could make her their "private" overseas. How sad and scary to think of all the 18 and 19 year olds over there now fending for their lives.
Speak up, my sisters, speak up.

Peace~
Sara, a proud mom

This is what happens if attractive girls in their teens and 20's serve in the military. I don't approve of what the sergeant did, but what should you expect?

Suzanne Swift isn't the hottest looking girl in the world, but in the eyes of a soldier 6000 miles from home she certainly seems f*ckable. It's laudable that tomboys want to serve their country, but they should realize that boys will be boys.

Hi obviousman – see this thing? It's the door. Mind it doesn't hit your Troll ass on the way out.

"but they should realize that boys will be boys."

In this case it's as much "American troops will attack American troops" as "boys will be boys." So, do you still support our troops...?