14 Fired Or Suspended After Fort Hood Investigation Into Killing Of Vanessa Guillén
On Tuesday (Nov. 9), Army Secretary Ryan D. McCarthy announced that at least 14 commanders and lower-level leaders were fired or suspended after a Fort Hood investigation into the killing of Specialist Vanessa Guillén, plus the patterns of sexual assault, harassment, suicides and murder at the Killeen, Texas Army post.
As we reported, earlier this year 20-year-old Guillén was reported missing and later her remains were found. It was revealed she was bludgeoned to death. A day after her remains were identified, Spc. Aaron Robinson, 20, died by suicide as authorities attempted to taking him into custody. Following, Cecily Aguilar, 22, was charged with conspiracy to tamper with evidence in connection with Guillén’s disappearance.
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CBS News reports that those were relieved of duty include Major General Scott L. Efflandt, Colonel Ralph Overland and Command Sergeant Major Bradley Knapp. The Army suspended Major General Jeffrey Broadwater and Command Sergeant Major Thomas C. Kenny, pending the outcome of a new investigation into the 1st Cavalry Division’s command climate and program for preventing and responding to sexual harassment and assault.
Following the investigation and punishments, McCarthy says he’s creating a “People First Task Force” that will be in charge of making plans to implement the Independent Review Committee’s 70 recommendations regarding sexual harassment, sexual and physical assault, and more. It will begin in March 2021. Additionally, he’s already signed a new policy to follow for when soldiers go missing.
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