On April 25, the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel held a hearing on several active duty, reserve, guard, and civilian personnel programs within the various branches of the military. The Armed Services Committee reviewed these programs in preparation for consideration of the FY2013 Defense Authorization bill.
“The Air Force strongly supports the secretary of Defense’s commitment, focus, and initiatives aimed at eradicating sexual assault,” said the Honorable Daniel Ginsberg, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, injoint testimony submitted by himself and Lieutenant General Darrell Jones, deputy chief of staff for Manpower Personnel and Services. Assistant Secretary Ginsberg continued, “The FY2012 NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 112-81)] contained significant mandates addressing sexual assault, including a requirement for full time sexual assault response coordinators (SARCs) and victim advocates at brigade or equivalent level. The Air Force SAPR [Sexual Assault Prevention and Response] program has included full time SARCs at installation level since 2005, including the six primary U.S. Central Command area of responsibility AF locations. Air Force SARCs receive training that meets national advocacy credentialing standards. Victim advocates are military and Air Force civilian volunteers who receive comparable training. Currently, 3,159 fully trained volunteers are available to assist victims. The Air Force projected $31.8 million to execute the SAPR program in FY2013. The budget funds full time SARCs, 24 dedicated investigative agents specializing in sexual assault investigations, and operational program expenses for all first-responder agencies and field level activities. To meet the new FY2012 NDAA requirement for full time sexual assault victim advocates at brigade or equivalent level, the Air Force will need to add 89 new positions (60 DoD [Department of Defense] civilians and 18 officers from the active duty component, and 11 traditional reserve officers from the Air Reserve component). The associated cost is $7.5 million in FY2013, increasing to $8.4 million by FY2017.”
In joint testimony, the Honorable Juan Garcia, III, assistant secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs for the United States Navy, also addressed the issue of sexual assault in the military, saying that there is “zero tolerance for sexual assault” in the Navy and Marines. He added, “We are continually working to improve the reporting, investigation, and disposition of sexual assault cases, ensuring that commanders, investigators, and prosecutors receive sufficient training and appropriate resources.” With regard to female officers, Assistant Secretary Garcia noted that “By the end of March we will have 23 to 25 female officers assigned to submarines, with more being assigned in the very near future.” With regard to family services, Mr. Garcia said, “Our FY13 budget request reflects the priority we place on the medical, physical, psychological, and family readiness needs of sailors and Marines and their families, and our continued emphasis on suicide and sexual assault prevention programs. Of special note, Secretary [of the Navy Ray] Mabus recently announced the ‘21st Century Sailor and Marine Initiative’. ‘21st Century’ consolidates and emphasizes a number of initiatives (some new, some enduring) to ensure we have the fittest, most resilient, most ready force in the department’s history. A key aspect of the program is to make sure our sailors, Marines, and their families have the tools they need to stay ready for the demands and challenges of military service.” Vice Admiral Scott Van Buskirk, chief of Naval Personnel, and Lieutenant General Robert Milstead, Jr., of the United States Marine Corps, testified with Assistant Secretary Garcia.
The Honorable Thomas R. Lamont, assistant secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; Lieutenant General Thomas Bostick, deputy chief of staff G-1, United States Army; and Sheryl Murray, assistant deputy commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, United States Marine Corps, also testified.
