14 Soldiers Fired or Suspended at Fort Hood
Fort Hood soldiers are under investigation as the Army begins to crack down on violence within the base. A policy change request to hold individuals accountable for failed leadership that has been present within the base.
Tuesday, the Army announced it had fired or suspended 14 soldiers.
The action takes place after a widespread pattern of violence, including murder, sexual assaults, and harassment, all of which were made very public within the past year.
KSAT reported that two General officers were among those who were stripped from their jobs as announced by the findings of an independent panel's investigation into issues at the Fort Hood base.
Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy remarked: "Leaders, regardless of rank, are accountable for what happens in their units and must have the courage to speak up and intervene when they recognize actions that bring harm to our Soldiers and to the integrity of our institution."
The actions taken by Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy come in response to a year that marked 25 soldiers assigned to Fort Hood and ultimately die due to suicide, homicide, or accidents, including the horrific death of Spc. Vanessa Guillen, who went missing for two months before officials found her remains
Guillen's death was highly publicized around the nation. Her family voiced concerns about the culture and the lack of seriousness surrounding sexual assault within the military.
Army Maj. Gen. Scott Efflandt, who was left in charge of the base earlier this year, and Maj. Gen. Jeffery Broadwater, commander of the 1st Cavalry Divisions, were just two involved in the punitive actions. KSAT reports that the base commander, Army Lt. Gen. Pat White, will not face any administrative action, as he was deployed to Iraq for much of the year.