Officers’ misbehavior decreasing, Pentagon says

WASHINGTON – Pentagon officials have substantiated 590 allegations of misconduct among generals, admirals and senior civilian officials from 2013 to 2017, but trends show a steady decline in misbehavior, according to figures released Wednesday by the Defense Department Inspector General.

Personal and ethical misconduct accounted for most of the violations with 277, according to the data released during testimony of military officials appearing before the House Armed Services Committee’s personnel subcommittee. However, Glenn Fine, the inspector general, told the panel that inappropriate relationships among senior officials with subordinates remain a cause for concern.

The number of substantiated allegations peaked in 2013 at 167 cases and dropped to its lowest point in 2017 with 58. In fiscal year 2017, there were 963 generals and admirals in the ranks and another 1,364 senior civilian officials with an equivalent rank.

Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colo., who chairs the personnel subcommittee, acknowledged that the vast majority of senior officers conduct themselves honorably. But he said misbehavior among senior leaders has an outsize effect on the military.

“The negative effects are even greater,” Coffman said.

The military’s struggles with sexual assault and harassment mirror those of society. Leaders in industry, Hollywood and the media have resigned after sexual harassment and assault scandals erupted in recent months.

Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., the ranking member of the committee, blasted the military for failing to mete out discipline to top officers. “It is clear that the current system of deterrence is not working,” Speier said.