D J Lindahl

Sexual Harassment in the National Guard: the Fear is Real D J Lindahl

Publisher Marketing: I was being sexually harassed by a Missouri National Guard Master Sergeant in the Armory where I was a civilian employee. My supervisor was afraid to help me. Even the Air Force could not protect me from the National Guard! My story took place on Whiteman AFB, Missouri - home of the B-2 Bomber. The federal government has no jurisdiction "inside" the Missouri National Guard Armory located on the Air Base. When Whitman AFB turned the investigation over to the Missouri National Guard, I was suspended 30 days without pay for going to the police seeking protection. My harasser retired from the Missouri National Guard with honor - despite the fact that he admitted to the crimes he committed. I felt isolated and alone and afraid. I didn't know that I was part of a large group of women who are victims of sexual harassment and retaliation at the hands of the military. The Missouri National Guard is exempt from Sunshine Law reporting - they do not have to report results of their investigations or lack of investigations to the people of Missouri. They are a closed system. Crimes committed inside Armories all across the state are under Missouri National Guard jurisdiction - period. If he wanted to, the Adjutant General could successfully cover up a murder "inside" an Armory. I withheld names and locations when writing because my story happens every day in every one of our fifty United States. The "real" military suffers from a serious problem of Sexual Harassment within its ranks - but the National Guard is rank with Sexual Harassment because they report only to themselves. The fear is real for women in or working for the Missouri National Guard - and National Guard entities all across the nation!