Army suspends sergeants amid sex assault inquiry

Female trainee made claim at Fort Benning

“We take these allegations very seriously, and we will ensure a full and thorough investigation of the facts.” Fort Benning statement

The Army announced the suspension of an undisclosed number of drill sergeants at Fort Benning on Wednesday, citing accusations of sexual misconduct.

Fort Benning issued a statement saying its Maneuver Center of Excellence and the Army Criminal Investigation Command were investigating a recent sexual assault claim made by a female trainee against a drill sergeant at the sprawling post that straddles the border between Georgia and Alabama.

“Initial review of this incident revealed indications of additional allegations of sexual misconduct involving trainees and drill sergeants,” the statement said. “We take these allegations very seriously, and we will ensure a full and thorough investigation of the facts.”

The drill sergeants were suspended from their duties and will have no contact with trainees during the investigation, the statement said

Counseling, legal and medical services have been made available to the trainees involved in the allegations, according to the statement.

“Our initial actions are to ensure the safety and welfare of all of our soldiers,” the statement said. “There is no place for sexual harassment or sexual assault in our Army.”

The announcement came three months after the fort’s One Station Unit Training graduated its first class of 18 enlisted women from infantry training.

The military has been combating sexual misconduct within its ranks for years. The Pentagon released a study in May saying sexual assaults were down in fiscal 2016 while reporting by victims rose.

Navy Rear Adm. Ann Burkhardt, director of the Defense Department’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, said 14,900 service members were sexually assaulted in fiscal 2016, down from 20,300 in 2014.

Burkhardt said one in three assaulted service members reported the crime in 2016, up from one in four in 2014.