Army women, how much do you really fear rape from fellow soldiers?

Question

The NY Times and Salon.com article recently reported that some women had died in their sleep because they were afraid to go outside their tents alone for water. Some of the female soldiers interviewed said that they carried knives to the latrine if they had to go at night. How widespread or true is all this?

Answer 1

It is true.

I was raped by a "fellow" NCO when I was in the army and feel like $hit cause I didn't report him cause of the shame and lack of any action that would occur regarding it. I just wanted it to be OVER with and know that people would be digging and requesting for me to relive it over and over again and I couldn't deal with that.

Believe me or not, I don't care but yeah...it happens. There were also many times I went to the field and there were only four females and over 40 males. We become instant friends at that time no matter what our circumstances are in the rear (in garrison, out of the field) being friend or foe but know we have to watch each others back depending on the situation we are placed in.

Answer 2

Get real. The idea of raping a woman who carries a machine gun (and has a bunch of friends with machine guns)? That sounds like a sure way of committing suicide.

BTW, think. The whole claim is a bunch of manure.
It takes 4 days to die of water deprivation. In the middle of an army camp? In daytime?
Also, they don't carry knives to the latrine. EVERYONE carries a gun and a spare magazine ALL THE TIME- that's the rule in every camp.

Answer 3

The threat of rape is everywhere. No women should travel by herself or let herself be put in a situation she can't get out of.
I have found myself in two such situation over my career luckily I escape both. But more has to be done to protect are women. When in Desert Storm we travel too latrine in a pack in the middle of night. kinda of comical someone would whisper does anyone else have to go to the latrine then little voice would say yeah me to, isn't that ashame. The other I was fresh out of basic young ignorant and old Sgt talk me to out in the ranges at ft hood and do things i never done before it yeah i was a virgin at the time, i went because i was stupid

Answer 4

I agree with a number of you. It's sick but it's as realistic as it is in the civilian world. Sometimes you have to be cautious.. even if they are a fellow Soldier. It may not happen so often.. or so you think because many are too afraid to report the crime. The risk factor tends to increase when you're in a hostile area or away from home.. tensions and common sense are shifted when put in a different environment (like Iraq).

Answer 5

hear, give up with the rant. in case you will evaluate a blog, excuse me a information superhighway e-e book, then which you will have the ability to experience something.... I artwork in JAG paralegal and became the senior brigade NCO I labored in criminal regulation I investigated over 60 'rapes', sexual assaults and unsuitable conducts for all branches and to contain civilians and interior of sight national and the Iraqi military and Police. I labored with the army and Air rigidity CID and the army NCIS. Out of all my circumstances and all of those for neighboring bases, we had maximum effectual 2 rapes in all of Anbar Province in the time of the 14 months we've been there. and so as that they have got been suspect and shortage tough evidence. many of the different stuff have been individuals that obtained caught and 'replaced' their mind in mid-stroke or have been married or diverse motives. to no longer say concerns do no longer ensue....yet do no longer come precise right here saying the full military and government is responsible till you need to have the full case precise right here in front of you. i wish what happen did no longer happen to her and if it did, they have caught the offender(s) and max their punishment out. So stop with the we duvet up crap....

Answer 6

Unfortunately, women need to fear rape just about everywhere. My Air Force CO would take action on any accusation or even rumor of such a thing. So, there are soldiers, sailors and airmen who would help a woman if it were to happen to her or if she was afraid of someone.

When I was in Croatia (during Bosnian war 94-95) me and a few other guys in my unit were known as someone who would walk with a woman if she was nervous or scared, and many was a time when women would ask us to walk with them.

Interesting enough, I recall hearing about more GUYS getting sexually assaulted than women when I served.

Dying of thirst in 1 night seems a bit of a stretch.

-159th USAF Air Recon

Answer 7

I'm an MP in the Army, even though women are usually targeted, you would be surprised that almost as many men get raped in the Army as women. I have probably worked on more rape cases involving male soldiers rather than females. It just seems that women are more open to express what happened than males. Most of the rapist are young punks just getting out of high school and are fresh to the Army.

Answer 8

I was in the military in the 80s and it was a known fear among the females and other Army personnel. This is such a common thing that there is something called the 'buddy system' that all women MUST obide by... that is where we are assigned a person from our unit that we are never allowed to walk alone at night without her being with us...

Answer 9

I don't fear it at all, not because it has never happened, I'm sure it has. I don't fear it because I don't put myself into a situation where I could be subject to it.

About that whole death from no water.. uhh anyone in the military can tell you we have so many stinking accountability formations/checks there's really no way you could hide your state from someone once you got ill from dehydration. And anytime you want to go somewhere you'd feel unsafe there's no shortage of buddies to take along with you.

Answer 10

There supposed to be respect in soldiery for women. It is sad to note that women are afraid of being raped rather than be afraid of the enemy.