ON NOVEMBER 7, 1996, Secretary of the Army Togo D. West Jr. and Army Chief of Staff General Dennis J. Reimer publicly denounced sexual harassment in the army:

[S]exual harassment is totally abhorrent to Army traditions and American values. The Army bases its success on mission accomplishment. Successful mission accomplishment can only be achieved in an environment of mutual respect, dignity, and fair treatment. This necessitates zero tolerance of sexual harassment.

This declaration was issued in reaction to explosive news reports of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and rape at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, an army training facility in Maryland. Officers entrusted with the mid-level training of recruits were forcing themselves on female recruits at Aberdeen, using the power of their rank as protection. By the time West and Reimer made their statement, three officers faced courts-martial for criminal conduct...