Fourteen soldiers fired, suspendedatFt. Hood

Issues at base, includingmajor flawsin the response to sexual assault and harassment ,“directly related to leadership failures .”

The Army WASHINGTON — on Tuesday said it had fifired or suspended 14 offifficers and enlisted soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, and ordered policy changes to address chronic leadership failures at the base that contributed to awidespread pattern of violence includingmurder, sexual assaults andharassment.

Two general offifficers were among those being removed fromtheir jobs as top Army leaders announced the fifindings of an independent panel’s investigation into problems at the Texas base.

Theactions, takenbyArmy Secretary Ryan McCarthy, come in the aftermath of a year that saw 25 soldiers assigned to Fort Hood die due to suicide, homicide or accidents, including thebludgeoningdeathofSpc. Vanessa Guillen. Guillen was missing for about twomonths 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 FortHood, including major flflaws in the reporting and response to sexual assault and harassment, “are directly related to leadership failures.” He said he was gravely disappointed in the commanders there, adding, “without leadership, systems don’t matter.”

Gen. JamesMcConville, the chief of staffffof theArmy, told reporters that he spoke to Guillen’smotheronTuesday morning and told her, “We are holding leaders accountable, and we will fifix this.”

The firings and suspensions include ArmyMaj. Gen. Scott Efflfflandt, who was left in charge of the base earlier this year when Guillen was killed, as well as Maj. Gen. Jeffery Broadwater, commander of the 1st Cavalry Divisions.