I was raped in the navy – and then discharged for a 'personality disorder' (but, NO war on women!!)
(and we continue having to pay for the rapists and their enablers in this rotten system)
I was raped in the navy – and then discharged for a 'personality disorder'
For many years this diagnosis was the fastest way for a commander to get someone out of service. It almost ruined my life
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‘Lawmakers have long been aware of the problem but have not made it any easier for veterans to have their records changed.’ Photograph: MC1 Martin Wright/US navy/EPA
Watching the twin towers fall on 9/11 as a high school student instilled in me a desire to serve my country. As soon as I graduated in 2002, I joined the navy. Initially I thrived. In boot camp I was one of the top four in my class and was given the “shipmate” award for exemplifying the ideal shipmate. I loved the navy and looked forward to a long military career.
My situation changed after I rejected the advances of my master chief. Shipmates told me that he was looking for me to make a mistake so he could kick me out of “his” navy. When I was raped by a marine not long afterward, I did not report it for fear of what would happen since I was already labeled a troublemaker.
My problems did not end when I deployed to the Red Sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The environment was hostile and tense. I was raped two more times and abused in other ways by my shipmates and supervisors. Once I fell asleep in a meeting after taking sedatives prescribed by the ship’s doctor to help me cope with news that my brother had been shot. My shipmates sprayed me with aircraft cleaner and set me on fire with a lighter. I escaped serious injury, but when I complained, my supervisor told me I was overreacting to a prank.
I was given a new assignment on the ship but my immediate supervisor there groped my breast and made inappropriate sexual comments. My complaints went nowhere and the assaults continued. After a while I could not tolerate it so I requested an audience with a commander to tell him what was happening and request a transfer. Instead of getting any help, I was ordered to work the night shift with my tormentor. When I refused, I was ordered to stand at attention for six to eight hours a day for five days with breaks only to use the bathroom or eat. People walked by and called me a slut.
A sympathetic senior enlisted person who saw the tears running down my face told me to speak to a chaplain. I did and the next day I was told to pack my things. Within days I was sent to be processed out of the service. There I learned that I was being discharged for having a “personality disorder”. My commander told me they were “doing me a favor” and that this discharge was the only way to get off the ship. They also told me it would not have any ramifications. They were wrong.
. . . .
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/19/navy-female-shipmates-discharge-labeled-personality-disorder-rape-discrimination