Sex allegations refuel coed military training debate

Recruits at Great Lakes Naval Training Center

May 11, 1998
Web posted at: 10:52 p.m. EDT (0252 GMT)

From Correspondent Patty Davis

GREAT LAKES NAVAL TRAINING CENTER, Illinois (CNN) -- Allegations of sexual misconduct at the U.S. Navy's largest training station are refueling the debate over coed training in the military.

Five instructors at the training center are accused of sexual misconduct involving recruits. The Navy is recommending court-martials for three of them.

Morale has been hurt by the allegations.

"The command is disappointed and disgusted. That is the best word I can think of. Everybody is disgusted and embarrassed," said Petty Officer Alicia Kretschmer.

The center is located on Lake Michigan halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee. It is the largest military installation in Illinois and the Navy's only recruit training facility.

Just eight months ago, Defense Secretary William Cohen cited the training center as a role model for co-ed training.

"I'm absolutely committed to putting an end to this kind of misconduct and misbehavior, and I want to find out what's going on," said Rear Adm. Kevin Green, the training center's commander.

The sexual misconduct allegations come at a time when the military and Congress are debating whether men and women should train together at all.

Several years ago, Cohen rejected a recommendation to keep men and women apart during basic training. Last week, a committee in the House of Representatives voted to separate male and female recruits.

In March, Cohen told the Army, Navy and Air Force they could continue to mix the sexes in basic training, but should ensure they are housed in "separate areas, if not separate buildings."

Maloney

Rep. Roscoe Barlett, R-Maryland, is one of the congressmen opposed to co-ed training.

"It certainly does not improve readiness. It creates a climate in which we're more likely rather than less likely to have the kind of incidents that just occurred at Great Lakes Training Station," he said.

But others say separating recruits would be a step backward.

"There is no reason to go backwards. Women are part of the military. They should be treated (as) part of the military from day one," said Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-New York.

Recruits at Great Lakes say they are accustomed to training side by side. But the Tailhook scandal several years ago forced the Navy to rethink its views on sexual behavior between men and women in the ranks. The allegations at Great Lakes may force the Navy to consider changes again.

 

Related site:

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• Naval Training Center, Great Lakes
• DefenseLINK - Official Web Site of U.S. Dept of Defense
• U.S. Navy: Welcome Aboard

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