REFLECTIONS OF "THE INVISIBLE WAR"

     After viewing the eye-opening documentary by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering called "An Invisible War" this past Wednesday afternoon, I have a new understanding of just how prevalent rape is in the United States Military. Once in awhile, I would hear about a case in the news and feel angry and disgusted that many individuals who are trained to be leaders, are in fact some of the perpetrators of this crime. According to the Department of Defense, it is estimated that out of all the active-duty female soldiers, 20 percent are violently sexually assaulted. Furthermore, approximately 1 percent of male soldiers, or  (20, 000 men in 2009) have been sexually assaulted. The percentage of men and women who are raped is most likely even higher, but unfortunately many don't report it because only 10 percent of assault cases end up being prosecuted.

     When it comes to rape in the U.S. Military then, it's apparent that this heinous and dehumanizing act is not gender specific, although female soldiers are raped far more often by military personnel. Sadly, there are still a great deal of men in our society who remain extremely discriminatory against women who desire to proudly serve our country. Even though there are many reasons why men rape women, as well as other men, it's possible that these offenders see women in particular, as trying to infiltrate and challenge their historic male only ideal within the military establishment. So, in their distorted way of thinking the only way to force them out, is to commit  acts of violence and sexual trauma against them. Rape is about power and dominance. Furthermore, it's used as a tool to degrade and destroy people mentally, and even physically.

     The film concludes by indicating that out of the many cases reported, they rarely result in any type of formal prosecution. Not surprisingly, as the paperwork moves through the chain of command it somehow becomes misplaced, forgotten, or even destroyed.  In fact, the film included a list of individuals accused of rape, who actually received promotions instead. Great deterrent! So, while the rapists go on with their pathetic lives, victims are left to deal with the bureaucracy, lingering physical injuries and PSTD, doctor appointments, medical bills, and legal fees.

     I found it very interesting that when interviewed on camera, high ranking military personnel would condemn these assaults and even talked as if they were doing everything possible to bring the offenders to justice. The reality is that victims remain in a constant state of victimization because they don't get any satisfactory answers and closure. Michel Foucault states, "We may find "states of domination" where power relations have become so entrenched that they can seem entirely one-sided and unchangeable." Clearly, the United States Military resists in moving forward into the 21st century.   There are also certain factions within this male dominated organization that are seemingly impermeable by design, a sort of power within a power, if you will.

     There are many brave, patriotic, and dedicated American soldiers of both genders that put their lives on the line and sacrifice a great deal in order to protect and defend our nation. So, why doesn't the United States Military PROTECT AND DEFEND their own soldiers? Why are disturbed and violent individuals in our military allowed to be promoted, especially when they're accused of rape, or even under a serious cloud of suspicion about this this crime? Shouldn't the most advanced and powerful nation in the world perform an equally advanced type of psychological profile on all individuals who want to join the military? Obviously, due to the number of sexual assaults reported in the documentary, there are many offenders currently at large in the United States Military. There has got to be a better  selection process put in place to eliminate undesirable candidates BEFORE their allowed to join. Because today's recruiters have a monthly quota to attain just like many sales associates in business, it's all about the numbers, not about enlisting qualified, mentally stable, and descent human beings.