Cord Byrd: “two weeks ago, on May 6, 1997, a military jury sentenced an Army staff sergeant to 25 years in prison for raping six…”

“two weeks ago, on May 6, 1997, a military jury sentenced an Army staff sergeant to 25 years in prison for raping six female trainees, just one of a series of highly visible scandals regarding sexual relations now plaguing training facilities in the Army. Press reports indicate that hundreds of similar cases of alleged sexual abuse and discrimination have been reported and are being investigated at other military training commands around the country. On May 10, 1997, the senior enlisted soldier in the U.S. Army was charged with similar offenses. The extent of the scandals that have been unearthed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, as well as other facilities, indicates to me that the time has arrived for a thorough review of further gender-integrated training in the military. There are those who feel that same-sex training has failed as a training mechanism and is adversely affecting morale, discipline and the integrity of our armed forces. This is a serious situation, involving very serious allegations with possible repercussions on our national security.”