WASHINGTON D.C. (WBAP/KLIF News) – 14 Fort Hood officers and soldiers have been fired or suspended following a Pentagon review of the Killeen army base.
The investigation sought to address systemic leadership failures at the base that contributed to murder, sexual assaults and harassment at the base.
25 soldiers died of either homicide, suicide or accidents this year.
The most high-profile case was that of Pfc. Vanessa Guillen, who was allegedly brutally murdered by another Fort Hood soldier earlier this year.
Her family said Guillen had accused Spc. Aaron Robinson of sexual harassment and that she was afraid to report it due to the culture at the base.
Robinson killed himself July 1 as police were closing in to arrest him.
In a Tuesday morning briefing at the Pentagon, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy detailed the punishments.
“I directed the relief of the three corps Deputy Commanding General for Support, the Third Armored Calvary Regiment Command Team and suspending the 1st Cavalry Division Command Team,” he said.
The committee made 70 recommendations to improve areas that needed improvement in the wake of the review.
“Overall sharp program structure, Fort Hood criminal investigation field office command activities, Army missing soldier protocols, Fort Hood crime prevention and response activities, Army wide command climate issues and Fort Hood public affairs activities,” said McCarthy.
He said the issues at Fort Hood are directly tied to leadership failures.
“Leaders drive culture and are responsible for everything that unit does or does not have to do. I am greatly disappointed that leaders failed to effectively create a climate that treated all soldiers with dignity and respect and failed to reinforce everyone’s obligation to prevent and properly respond to allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault,” he said.
Two general officers, Army Maj. Gen. Scott Efflandt and Maj. Gen. Jefferey Broadwater, were among those who were fired.
The base commander, Army Lt. General Pat White, will not face any disciplinary action.
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