Sex scandals in the gender-integrated military

Abstract

The military sex scandals of the 1990s, notably Tailhook in 1991 and the Aberdeen scandals of 1996, indicate the deeply rooted nature of sexism, misogyny, sexual misconduct, and discrimination in the military. The recruitment of large numbers of women, and their integration into many service branches during the 1980s and 1990s led to a great increase in the number of female victims, most of whose cases are never reported. Men are rarely court-martialed for sexual offenses. When they are, their punishments far exceed those given out by civilian courts. Punishments for adultery are also severe but, as with other forms of sexual misconduct, they are infrequent and arbitrary. As a result of numerous studies, the military has long known about the extent to which women are abused. None of them resulted in major change. It is unlikely that the latest round of scandals, reports, and efforts at reform will accomplish anything either.