Early evidence suggests that organization and staffing problems were factors in many of the alleged crimes. A task force set up to investigate the extent of sexual harassment and abuse found a hodgepodge of units at Aberdeen, the result of several rounds of base consolidation. Many unit commanders aren't based there, which causes confusion about where soldiers should turn for help. The crisis hot lines and other outlets for complaints may have contributed to the Army's troubles. By providing a way around the chain of command, some Army officials argue, such measures may make the people in the chain less likely to notice problems and less practiced at handling them.
Complaints rise one level at a time.
But routine circumvention of this chain of command, says a senior noncommissioned officer, leads officers to spend less time attending to the needs of soldiers in their units, which weakens discipline. The most divisive controversies may lie ahead. One of the Army's biggest challenges is to explain how commanders could have tolerated or not known the extent of sex-related problems. When the task force delivers its conclusions, expected in June, Army leaders will have to strike a balance between blaming commanders and letting them off the hook. Inc. All rights reserved.