West Point Requires New "Toxic Masculinity" Training

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kpmom2013

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I would like to know more about exactly what the nature of this new training is. Anyone have any details?
 
Just google the search string “USMA toxic masculinity.” Items pop up from Bretbart to NY Times to USMA.edu itself and many other sources, especially the college landscape.

The phrase has been around a few years as part of the sexual assault prevention and training curricula I’ve seen in various settings, including corporate.
 
Tough one.
In spite of what is portrayed in the news sexual harassment is not rampant at the academies. I'm not saying it does not exist, but it is probably less of an issue than other universities. Heck, even consensual intimacy in the wrong location can result in a disciplinary board. And conviction for unwanted inappropriate sexual behavior can carry very, very stiff penalties. Think Fort Leavenworth stiff. For this reason, I know Cadets who just don't bother even trying to date fellow Cadets.
But... poor behavior does occur as it will almost anywhere when you mix people together. And when it does occur at a SA it makes the news. This results in senior officers such as Supes and Comms being grilled by politicians who want to know what they did to prevent the behavior. Thus, we have SHARP training. Unfortunately, at this point, SHARP training is pretty repetitive for most. For those few who really need it, the training goes in one ear and out the other.
BTW, for some perspective. My DD was one of the first females in her MOS (Military Occupational Specialty). The Army kind of messed up. They threw some junior enlisted females into a combat unit without any female NCO's or JO's. The issue was NOT males harassing the females. My DD said she did not see any of that. The male soldiers were prepared ahead of time ad nauseam on sexual harassment. The issue became one female having inappropriate relationships and the all-male COC not knowing how to deal with it. Basically, they turned a blind eye to it out of fear and it hurt morale amongst ALL the soldiers, male and female.
I think the Army learned from several cases like this and has tried to cross-train female NCO's and JO's who could be placed in units that are being integrated. It's a growing process.
 
Some of the Knox class frigates FF in the early 90s were re-designated training frigates FFT and the USN crew was replaced with USNR-TAR personnel as transfer date happened. I was the last USN Independent Duty Corpsman on the USS Bowen. We were actually the first combatant to receive females but the IKE got credit for it. We did the harassment classes and the admonitions to "not mess this up," etc. We were as ready as we could be I guess but when they showed up early and in secret while inport Rosey Roads, it was still a major disruption based on hearing some of the crew squawk.

We checked onboard about 12 E-6 and below and a chief personnelman (PNC). The enlisted number was about the number of racks we had in AirDet berthing. The chief stayed in Boy's Town, aft junior officer's berthing, with the intent of a female JO sharing the room when so embarked. I had a unique view of the professional and personal relationships with this newly mixed crew. At some point everybody has to see Doc and regardless of the reason for the visit, I heard everything from problems with the family, stories about the new baby, to all the scuttlebutt from the mess decks. And from the ward room. And for sure from the CPO Mess.

We for the most part got along just fine as far as male/female relationships go in a confined space. The women did their jobs as well as or better than the male sailors. A lot of our problems came from the senior personnel who had not been to sea since their E-3-E-4 days and now were divisional LCPOs. Those problems were mainly operational and materiel in nature and not inter-personal. We did have one ugly issue before I transferred off. We were in Halifax (I love Halifax) with embarked reservists of many pay grades. A female officer was able to have a stateroom to herself without sharing with the PNC. Late one night a male officer, reservist, came staggering back and walked in her room with the intention of having relations. The female officer resisted and the noise brought out the PNC and a couple young Os who kept him their room until the CO or XO could be notified. The chief went below and woke me up. I went up and talked with her a bit and she said thanks but I'm OK. I didn't see any obvious wounds but stayed in case I needed to get her to the hospital. The XO came back from his stateroom just forward of the ward room. He's a hard sleeper, believe me. The night went on with reading of rights and whatnot and I finally told the XO that since this was officer stuff I was going back to bed. The alleged perpetrator, a LCDR, was flown with escort back to his reserve unit.

I've been in female dominated industries my whole life and boy/girl on-the-job relationships ain't that hard. Professionals of both genders usually realize that not only are they not that irresistible but most people can control their hormones, egos, and emotions long enough to get through a work shift or a watch.
 
UHBlackhawk said:
In spite of what is portrayed in the news sexual harassment is not rampant at the academies.
Click to expand...

This article and report isn't by some "news" outlet, it's from the Depart of Defense and it strongly suggests otherwise. It's opening line is "It’s “gravely concerning” that results of the most recent survey of the military service academies show another increase in sexual assault reports"

Sexual Assault Reports Up at Service Academies, But Down Servicewide

It’s “gravely concerning” that results of the most recent survey of the military service academies show another increase in sexual assault reports, the executive director of the Defense Department’s
www.defense.gov
 
Is there data that goes with the article? Often the raw data is needed to form the complete context as opposed to simply a report on the data.
 
It's the US Department of Defense...I'm sure you can ask for the data and there are links within to contact them and request it.
 
Sydney C. said:
This article and report isn't by some "news" outlet, it's from the Depart of Defense and it strongly suggests otherwise. It's opening line is "It’s “gravely concerning” that results of the most recent survey of the military service academies show another increase in sexual assault reports"

Sexual Assault Reports Up at Service Academies, But Down Servicewide

It’s “gravely concerning” that results of the most recent survey of the military service academies show another increase in sexual assault reports, the executive director of the Defense Department’s
www.defense.gov
Click to expand...
Ahh yes... statistics
1. If you look at the actual numbers they are quite low. An increase from 4 to 8 reported instances, for example, would be a 100% increase but may still be low for the population compared to a normal university. Can’t remember the actual numbers for West Point but they were quite low.
2. An increase in “...sexual assault reports...” does not necessarily equate to an increase in sexual assaults. It could be due to an increase in awareness and education which had been ongoing. For example, I know the first few years for females at service academies was tough and sexual harassment/attacks were not uncommon. But if you look at the stats there were probably fewer “... sexual assault reports...”
3. The basis for “...sexual assault reports...” has become quite broad. Speaking to female SA cadre I have gotten the impression even from them that some normal interactions can now be termed “sexual harassment.” Is asking someone on a date harassment? Twice? Three times? I know one of my brothers-in-law was gently persistent with my sister. I think he probably asked her out about six times before she relented. They’ve been happily married for 40 years. Was that sexual harassment?
 
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