Photo By Staff Sgt. Armando Limon | Retired Army Maj. Gen. Robert D. Shadley discusses the importance of leadership...... read more read more
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SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - Retired Maj. Gen. Robert D. Shadley shared his experience concerning a sexual assault scandal that occurred at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team leadership at the Bronco Café, here, Dec. 3.
“It doesn’t get any worse than having leaders doing this to subordinates. This is the worst thing that I have seen in my military career,” Shadley said, in reference to the past case.
He then gave his wife’s reply to his words spoken nearly a decade ago.
“‘The first thing you have to do is take care of the women who were victimized,’” he explained that she had said.
The former chief of Ordnance and commander, Ordnance Center and School, from 1995-1997, stated helping survivors of sexual assault should selflessly take precedence rather than one’s career, as previously thought by so many.
He shared with leadership (company to brigade level) the importance of taking care of those assaulted, first, before other issues, during 3rd BCT’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention holiday campaign event.
The SHARP campaign, Dec. 2-4, included Shadley speaking at a Victim Advocacy Professional Development event for SHARP VAs, company and battalion level discussions, an open question and answer session, and “Day of Courage” participation with junior Soldiers.
A male sexual assault survivor also told his story to junior Soldiers in the brigade, followed by a SHARP training session on consent and bystander intervention, to close out the week.
Shadley spoke about the event that influenced his determination to stop sexual assault in the Army. Drill sergeants at the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School at APG had competed in the GAMe, “Game ala Military,” which preyed on trainees and plagued the installation there during the mid-1990s.
“My focus is how we can do a better job of ensuring a safe workplace and Army for all Soldiers,” he explained. “I used my experience for uncovering sexual scandal at Aberdeen Proving Ground in 1995 to 1997, in helping people understand how to deal with a crisis when you’re confronted with one.”
Shadley was invited by the brigade’s sexual assault response coordinator, Sgt. 1st Class Abina Riley, to help bring about a unique perspective on the tough subject of sexual assault.
“I thought it was important to have someone like him come out here to talk to our leaders and SHARP victim advocates based on his experience,” Riley said.
Riley first heard the general speak while attending the SHARP Academy last January and believed his knowledge would be invaluable to the leadership and Soldiers of the brigade.
Shadley was highly passionate in sharing his familiarity about the subject with leaders throughout the brigade and has seen the changes in the service since his retirement.
“The Army, in particular,” he said, “recognizes the importance of eradicating this cancer.”
It was a cancer that he described that can eat away at any military organization if not properly acknowledged.
He recognized that SHARP has done a lot for survivors and repeatedly stressed that there is still work to be done.
“The SHARP program is a valuable asset,” he added, “but the primary emphasis needs to be on leadership to ensure that all Soldiers act professionally, and treat their fellow Soldiers with dignity and respect.”
| Date Taken: | 12.03.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.15.2015 13:43 |
| Story ID: | 184593 |
| Location: | SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 61 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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