14 fired or suspended over violence at Fort Hood

WASHINGTON — The Army on Tuesday said it had fired or suspended 14 officers and enlisted soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, and ordered policy changes to address chronic leadership failures at the base that contributed to a widespread pattern of violence, including murder, sexual assaults and harassment.

Two general officers were among those being removed from their jobs, as top Army leaders announced the findings of an independent panel’s investigation into problems at the Texas base.

The actions, taken by Army Secretary Ryan Mccarthy, come in the aftermath of a year that saw 25 soldiers assigned to Fort Hood die from suicide, homicide or accidents, including the bludgeoning death of Spc. Vanessa Guillen. Guillen was missing for about two months before her remains were found.

Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, Mccarthy said that based on the panel’s review, he concluded that the issues at Fort Hood, including major flaws in the reporting and response to sexual assault and harassment, “are directly related to leadership failures.”

Gen. James Mcconville, the chief of staff of the Army, told reporters that he had spoken to Guillen’s mother Tuesday and told her, “We are holding leaders accountable, and we will fix this.”

The administrative actions are expected to trigger investigations that could lead to a wide range of punishments. Those punishments could go from a simple letter of reprimand to a military discharge.

The base commander, Army Lt. Gen. Pat White, will not face any administrative action. He was deployed to Iraq as the commander there for much of the year.

Mccarthy also ordered a new Army policy that changes how commanders deal with missing soldiers.