Results from an independent review directed by Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy found a widespread “toxic culture” at the Army’s second-largest installation, outlets report.
At least 14 Army leaders, including a general, were suspended or fired at Fort hood resulting from systematic leadership failures leading to a environment which created “permissive of sexual harassment and sexual assault” for the installations service members.
Numerous high-profile deaths and disappearances occurred at the Texas installation this year, including Spec. Vanessa Guillén, who was killed by a fellow soldier this past April.
“The tragic death of Vanessa Guillén and a rash of other challenges at Fort Hood forced us to take a critical look at our systems, our policies and ourselves,” said McCarthy in a media briefing. “But without leadership, systems don’t matter.”
“This is not about metrics, but about possessing the ability to have the human decency to show compassion for our teammates and to look out for the best interests of our soldiers,” he said.
McCarthy vowed the report will force the Army to change its culture.
AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster