SEXUAL Harassment is punishable with the full range of administrative, non-judicial, and judicial actions.
Topic: Sexual Harassment (Hostile Work Environment/Verbal and Non-Verbal)
Module: 3 – Sexual Harassment
Situation: Inappropriate NCO behaviors in the Motor Pool
The Platoon (PLT) is conducting their standard Pre-combat checks (PCC)/ Pre-combat inspections (PCI) in preparation for an upcoming Field Training Exercise (FTX). Everyone is present including the Platoon Sergeant (PSG) and Platoon Leader (PL). It is known throughout the company that Staff Sergeant (SSG) Smith likes to bring a blowup doll to the field. He and his crew like to take pictures with the doll in various positions and stages of undress. “Molly”, as she has been called, even sometimes mans the “crew served weapons” at night while the team sleeps. Specialist (SPC) Winn is the new loader for the crew and this is his first field problem with this unit. The PSG asks SSG Smith if SPC Winn has been introduced to the “5th crew member” at which time SSG Smith produces “Molly” out of a duffel bag and instructs SPC Winn to blow her up. SPC Winn uncomfortably complies. The rest of the platoon stops to watch and make vulgar comments about what they are going to do with “Molly” once the platoon deploys. Afterward, SPC Winn returns to work but feels humiliated by the whole situation. At the end of the day, SPC Winn goes to the Brigade (BDE) SARC to talk about what happened.
Solution:In this vignette, the use of the blow up doll and comments are an example of creating a hostile work environment. This is in violation of AR 600-20 and 10 USC 1561. Possible methods of addressing this behavior would be informing someone in the higher chain of command, talking to the unit SARC, or making an anonymous complaint to SARC or Commander.
Topic: Sexual Harassment (Verbal and Non-Verbal/Hostile Work Environment)
Module:3 – Sexual Harassment
Situation:Brigade Commander’s inappropriate behavior and comments towards a female CW2 pilot
A female Army helicopter pilot, Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) Hardy, who is also a victim advocate, has just finished her check ride. She is preparing to debrief the mission. Around the Flight Operations desk, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Green is visiting with the check pilot and CW2 Hardy, when the Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) Commander, Colonel (COL) Moore, stopped by to say hello. COL Moore says something inappropriate about CW2 Hardy to the other male Soldiers present, which CW2 Hardy isn’t able to hear. The Colonel’s remarks are followed by laughter and quick glances towards CW2 Hardy. The next thing she is able hear clearly is LTC Green say to the BDE CDR “be careful, she’s a victim advocate”. COL Moore takes a slight step back to get a good view of CW2 Hardy, looks her up and down then states with a devious grin and wink, “She’s not a victim…. yet”.
Solution: This vignette is a clear representation of Sexual Harassment. Leaders (LTC Green) have to be able to address situations that arise even if they involve superiors. Possible methods of addressing this behavior would be LTC Green using the direct approach, talks to COL Moore about the inappropriate conduct. LTC Green could also notify COL Moore’s Commander.
Topic: Quid Pro Quo/Threat
Module: 3 – Sexual Harassment
Situation: Staff Duty
SPC Humble is working staff duty when SFC Dunn approaches her with a work related question. When she answers his question he proceeds to wink and ask her if she would like to pull some “fun duty” in order to get out of staff duty. She replies “I’m not sure what you mean by that, but I am fine with my present tasks Sergeant.” When SFC Dunn is exiting the area he slowly looks up and down her body and states, “I will be back later for your real answer. It would be a shame if the 1SG found out that you are displaying inadequacies in your MOS.”
Solution: The vignette demonstrates how a superior could use power and position to coerce a subordinate into doing something they don’t want to do. By threatening SPC Humble’s career progression, SFC Dunn is committing sexual harassment (Quid Pro Quo). SPC Humble can file a complaint to the chain of command or SARC.
Topic: Sexual Harassment and Retaliation
Module: 3 – Sexual Harassment and 5 - Retaliation
Situation: SPC Coles is Being Harassed
SPC Coles files a formal sexual harassment complaint against several members of her new infantry squad. She files the complaint when she discovers that the male members of the squad have a “hot” list on which she is ranked based on her physical appearance. After filing the complaint, SPC Coles is called a slut, a troublemaker, and a non-team player. Soldiers say things like, “What? You think you’re better than the rest?”; “Why do you think they let females in the Infantry? It was to entertain the men.” Members of the squad tell others in the platoon not to associate with SPC Coles because they can get brought up on charges for just speaking with or looking at her. Someone leaves a note under her barracks room door telling her “drop the complaint, Bitch, if you ever want to be part of the team.”
Solution: The vignette demonstrates ostracism, a form of retaliation. Upon filing a formal sexual harassment complaint, her peers began excluding her from the squad and encourages others to do the same. Incidents of retaliation can be reported to the chain of command, SHARP Victim Advocate, or IG.
Topic: Toxic Atmosphere/Inappropriate Jokes or Comments
Module: 1 – Prevention and 3 – Sexual Harassment
Situation: Squad Group Text
You are new to the unit and your squad leader joins you to the group text so the squad leader can pass on important information to the squad quickly. Over the weekend, several Soldiers on the group text start adding funny memes from the web site Army WTF that everyone enjoys. You can tell this is a tight group and you show your spouse your phone and tell her you are glad to be assigned to this squad. Then, one male Soldier sends a “dumb blonde” meme and another female Soldier replies with a meme about “hogging” – having sex with overweight women – with the tag line "it’s like riding a moped – it’s cool and fun as long as your friends don’t see you.” The squad leader immediately “laughs” at the text. You are very uncomfortable with the way the texts are going and send the squad leader a separate text saying that seems like an inappropriate joke that you would not want your spouse to see. The squad leader replies “fine – I can drop you from the group and just text you individually when I have information to pass on.”
Solution: This vignette demonstrates a toxic atmosphere where inappropriate jokes and comments are not just tolerated, but encouraged. The squad leader sets the tone for the climate of the squad and all of the Soldiers should have spoken up or gone to their chain of command for guidance.
Topic: Inappropriate work conversations
Module: 2 – Bystander Intervention and 3 – Sexual Harassment
Situation: Workplace Discussions
Ms. Leslie Red is a DA Civilian who works in an office cubicle, One day, Mr. Phil Orange, the section leader, stopped by Mr. Wallace Brown’s cubicle, and the conversation turned to a discussion of Leslie’s breasts and butt. Phil says he would like to take Leslie to the break room and “show her a few things.” Leslie did not hear any of it, but two other co-workers, Ms. Karen Blue, and Mr. Jimmy Green, sitting unseen in the adjacent cubicles, heard the comments. Karen noticed that Phil’s conversation upset Jimmy.
Later in the day, Jimmy tells Karen that he does not want to work with Phil or Wallace because this is not the first time he’s heard them having sexually explicit conversations. He doesn’t want to work with either of them if that’s how they are going to talk about women. Jimmy also said he was going to tell Leslie about the remarks he overheard.
Jimmy tells Leslie about Phil and Wallace’s conversation. Leslie becomes very angry and decides something needs to be done.
Solution: Ms. Red and Mr. Brown, who are obviously offended by Mr. Orange’s inappropriate behavior could file sexual harassment complaint against Mr. Orange. They could use one of the 3Ds - Direct, Delegate and Distract. For instance, Ms. Red, the complainant, could use the delegate approach and have a peer or supervisor confront the harasser by telling Mr. Orange to stop the sexual harassment behavior. If the behavior persists, Ms. Red can take it to the Chain of Command (COC) and/ the SHARP VA who will contact the BDE SARC. The BDE has the responsibility to explain what an informal complaint vs a formal complaint entails without trying to influence Ms. Red in anyway. Ms. Red would have to make the decision which course of action to take.
Topic: Power and Coercion
Module: 3 – Sexual Harassment
Situation: Workspace and Inappropriate Behavior
SSG James Thomas and SSG Amanda Freeman are assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) to the replacement company. Their duties include escorting incoming Soldiers through CIF. The NCOs collect the new Soldiers ID cards to give to the civilian CIF employee, Ms. Dina Trapezoid.
Initially the relationship between SSG Thomas and Dina Trapezoid was always professional, however over time they became friendlier. One day SSG Thomas was complaining about heavy traffic he encountered in the late Thursday afternoons due to having the afternoon CIF time slot. Dina said’ “It wouldn’t have been so bad if I had been stuck in that traffic with you!” Dina’s comment seemed odd, but SSG Thomas brushed it off and went about his business.
The following week, while chatting with Dina, SSG Thomas told Dina that he and his wife had spent the past weekend in Seattle celebrating their wedding anniversary. He said the hotel was expensive, but hotel costs aside, they had a really great weekend. Dina grabbed his hand, squeezed it and said, “If I were there, you wouldn’t have complained about anything!” SSG Thomas pulled his hand away as Dina said, “Let’s plan a little lunch trip and I’ll see if I can move you to the 0900 appointment time slot.”
Solution: The vignette demonstrates how a person, Ms. Trapezoid, could use power and position to coerce another person into doing something they don’t want to do. By offering SSG Thomas the earlier CIF appointment time in exchange for sex, Ms. Trapezoid is committing sexual harassment (Quid Pro Quo). Additionally, Ms. Trapezoid has steadily escalated her inappropriate behavior towards SSG Thomas and it has clearly evolved into a solid case of sexual harassment. SSG Thomas can file a complaint to the chain of command or a SARC.
Topic: Inappropriate Work Relationships/Non-consensual Touching
Module: 3 – Sexual Harassment
Situation: Office Misconduct
Mr. Ray just started in your office. He and his wife just moved from Virginia. He tells you that he is former Army, and this is his first civilian job. You ask how he likes being out of the Army. He’s says the jury’s still out, and he laughs. He asks you what you like about working here. You tell him that you too are a recent hire, but from what you can gather the supervisor, Mrs. Reeves, is a real old-school type. She is also ex-military and has very particular ideas about professionalism and dress. He laughs and says “Ahhh, thanks for the heads up. I am still unpacking, better look for the box with my suits.
Two days later you notice that Mrs. Reeves is hanging around Mr. Ray’s desk all the time, and she keeps Mr. Ray late on Friday. You ask him why. He shrugs and says, “Who knows why she does anything” and changes the subject.
A few weeks later you run into Mr. Ray at a gas station at the other side of the post, you are surprised because he had called in sick. He looks both surprised and irritated. You ask what’s up, and he tells you it’s “nothing, bad day, but thanks for asking.”
The next day you are walking down the hall and you overhear him talking to someone else. You hear Mr. Ray say “she is a nightmare; she’s accidentally touched my butt three times today. I hate it and I want to make a complaint.” The other voice says “hey man, you know I get it, hell, I lived it, but she’s two months from leaving and no one wants to go through all that BS that comes with charges. She gets investigated, found not responsible, and then remains in her job just to screw with us. Just take one for the team."
Solution: This vignette demonstrates inappropriate work relationships and non-consensual touching. The supervisor is sexually harassing her employee. The employees’ peers are minimizing the conduct of the supervisor. Due to the fact that the supervisor touches the employees buttocks is indicative of a criminal offense. The best option for Mr. Ray is to talk to a SARC about options to report this type of behavior.
Topic: Inappropriate Work Relationships/Non-consensual Touching
Module: 3 – Sexual Harassment
Video: https://www.milsuite.mil/video/41309
SCENE – Recruiter sitting at his desk. Station Commander approaches to talk to him. Station Commander: “Hey, SSG Jones, contact to your Future Soldier and ask if she will be attending Future Soldier training tonight.”
SSG Jones: text to FS, “Hey Davis, are you coming to FS training tonight?”
FS: “No SSG, I have to work this evening”
SSG Jones: “Dang! I was really looking forward to seeing you.”
FS: “I was really looking forward to learning more about the Army”
SSG Jones: “Are you sure you can’t call out and come to training anyway?”
FS: “No, I need this job until I ship.”
Instructor/Facilitator: Stop, let’s evaluate. Has any of this communication been inappropriate so far? Recruiter asking a FS to call out of work is suspicious and unprofessional.
Note: Pause the video and ask the students the question.
Ask: “Has any of this communication been inappropriate so far? Recruiter asking a FS to call out of work is suspicious and unprofessional”.
Note: Continue with the video.
SSG Jones: “I understand that. I do enjoy seeing you when you are able to come to training.”
FS: “I enjoy going to the training and getting the chance to learn about the Army”
SSG Jones: “I also look forward to seeing what you’re wearing when you show up.”
FS: “I didn’t think what I’ve been wearing was inappropriate…”
SSG Jones: “You weren’t, I just like seeing you in those jeans.”
FS: “Which jeans?”
SSG Jones: “You know, the ones that are so tight they can’t hide how great you look from behind…”
Instructor/Facilitator: Is this a case of sexual harassment?
Note: Pause the video and ask the students the question.
Ask: “Is this a case of sexual harassment?”
Answer: After the discussion, the correct is “No”.
Note: Continue with the video.
Instructor/Facilitator: No. Why or why not?
Note: Pause the video and ask the students the question.
Ask: Why or why not is this situation sexual harassment?
Answer: After the discussion, the correct answer is this is not sexual harassment, but sexual misconduct.
Note: Continue with the video.
Instructor/Facilitator: In order for a complaint to be sexual harassment the complainant must be a Soldier. This a case of sexual misconduct (Prohibited activities with a SRE or FS) - if an AR 15-6 investigation substantiates this conduct as making sexually inappropriate comments to an SRE, this is a Type I offense, *IF the Soldier is found guilty at an Article 15 or CM. If there is no Article 15 or CM conviction, then this is a Type II offense. Have you witnessed your fellow Recruiters exhibit this behavior? What have you done about it?
Topic: Quid Pro Quo
Module: 3 – Sexual Harassment
Video: https://www.milsuite.mil/video/41432
SCENE - Recruiter (SFC Smith) is driving Applicant (Mellisa Dove) to Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Sergeant First Class Smith does not have a battle buddy so he calls the Station Commander (SC) right before he leaves to inform the SC of his departure time. While driving the following conversation take place: SFC Smith: “You look nervous, are you okay?”
Dove: “Yeah, I’m REALLY nervous.”
Smith: “Ah, Just tell them all the same things you told me and everything should be fine.”
Dove: “Yes, Sergeant.”
Smith: Explains the MEPS process, he has done this before but reiterating to calm the Applicant’s nerves.
Dove: “Thank you Sergeant, that really makes me feel better. Knowing the way events will flow gives me goals to look for.
Smith: “You’re welcome Dove.”
SCENE - SFC Smith and Applicant Dove arrive at MEPS. SFC Smith calls his SC to give his arrival time. As they two are walking into MEPS:
Smith: “You know Dove, I could probably help you get the MOS you want but you would have to do something for me…”
Dove: “Sergeant Smith, what do you mean? I really want to be an MP! What do I need to do to get you to help me get that MOS?”
Smith: “Well Dove, for starters you will need to give me a hug....”
SCENE - SFC Smith leans in for a hug, which lasts uncomfortably long. Angrily, Dove decides this has gone long enough and she pushes SFC Smith away.
Note:Pause the video and ask the students the question.
Ask:Is this a case of Recruiter Misconduct?
Answer:After the discussion, the correct answer is Yes.
Instructor/Facilitator: Yes. UR 27-4, 2-1d. (1) prohibits a Recruiter from attempting to develop a relationship with an SRE and (2) prohibits a Recruiter from promising to return a favor or provide favorable treatment in an attempt to gain sexual favor from the SRE.
Topic: Unwanted Advances/Hostile Environment
Module: 3 – Sexual Harassment
Video: https://www.milsuite.mil/video/41310
SCENE - SGT Snyder arrives to his Recruiting Station for his first day. He is immediately introduced to his new Station Commander, SFC Stark, who takes him around the station to show him the layout and introduce him to all his fellow Recruiters. SFC Stark ends the tour in her office to conduct an informal initial counseling session but does not shut the office door.
SFC Stark: “So, Sergeant Snyder, you have seen the layout of the Station, met all your fellow Recruiters, and been assigned a desk. Tell me a little about yourself and if there is anything you think I need to know before you get started.”
SGT Snyder: “Yes, Sergeant. Right before I went to school my wife and I divorced. She is also in the Army, and has PCSd with my child. Being here in Texas is going to very difficult since my son is so far away. I am a bit raw emotionally but that won’t stop me from giving 110% while I am here.”
Stark: “Where did you ex-wife get stationed?”
Snyder: “She went to Germany Sergeant.”
Stark: “Oh wow!! That really is going to be difficult!”
Snyder: Nods his head and looks down at his feet feeling emotional.
Stark: “Don’t worry Sergeant Snyder, we are a close station, we take care of our own here.”
Snyder: “Thank you Sergeant.”
Stark: “Is there anything I can do for you?”
Snyder: “No Sergeant, I just miss my wife and kid.”
SCENE - SSG Blank walks down the hall to use the restroom and hears: Stark (looking Snyder up and down): “Well SGT Snyder, let me know if you want me to help you forget about your ex-wife. Not only am I good at Recruiting, but I am DAMN good at helping men forget AAALLLL about their problems…”
SCENE or (Narrator) - Later that day, SSG Blank can see that SGT Snyder is still shocked by SFC Stark’s words but has not said anything to him. Having been treated in a similar manner when he arrived just two months ago, he decided use his personal cell phone to call his Battalion SHARP representative and anonymously report the sexual harassment.
Instructor/Facilitator: What type of sexual harassment happened?
Note: Pause the video and ask the students the question.
Ask: What type of sexual harassment happened?
Answer: After the discussion, the correct answer, hostile environment.
Instructor/Facilitator: Hostile environment. What was the category of sexual harassment?
Note: Pause the video and ask the students the question.
Ask: What was the category of sexual harassment?
Answer: After the discussion, the correct answer is verbal and nonverbal.
Note: Pause the video and ask the students the question.
Ask: Who else could he have anonymously reported the incident to?
Answer: After the discussion, the correct answer is any SHARP representative, anyone in the NCO Support Channel, any Commander.
Narrator: Any SHARP representative, anyone in the NCO Support Channel, any Commander.
