McKinney Verdict

Re “Army Verdict Could Stifle Female Soldiers,” March 15: As a former sexual harassment ombudsman for the U.S. Navy and a former JAG prosecutor, I take issue with the consequences you imagine will result from the conviction of Army Sgt. Maj. Gene McKinney. This was also far from a “clear victory” for McKinney, who has seen his career and reputation destroyed.

All sexual harassment in the military is criminal in nature, not merely a civil (or uncivil) dispute between two individuals. Any complaint, from man or woman, must be investigated promptly. One form of resolution is a referral to court-martial, where the standard of proof is, of course, “beyond a reasonable doubt.” These are not easy cases to prosecute, nor should they be.

The fact that the Army took these charges seriously enough to charge its senior enlisted man and to proceed to a general court-martial demonstrates the lengths to which the armed forces will go to protect the interests of its servicewomen. A “male-dominated” conspiracy would have squelched the charges and would never have permitted the careers of more than a dozen admirals and generals to be ended recently by similar charges.

The Aberdeen Proving Grounds drill instructors were convicted; McKinney was not. Army women are not being ignored and neither are the rights of criminal defendants.

LISALEE ANNE WELLS

Capt., Judge Advocate

General’s Corps, USNR (Ret.)

Long Beach

* McKinney was cleared on all 18 sexual misconduct charges, yet guilty on one count of urging others to lie. If there was no misconduct, why ask others to lie?

CHIKARA DON OKA

Los Angeles