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McMaster Rebuked in 2015 Over Handling of 2 Officers Accused of Sexual Assault McMaster Was Rebuked in 2015 Over Handling of 2 Officers Accused of Sexual Assault
(about 11 hours later)
WASHINGTON — A two-year-old report by the Army’s inspector general concluded that Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, now President Trump’s national security adviser, violated the service’s regulations in a case that involved two junior officers accused of sexual assault.WASHINGTON — A two-year-old report by the Army’s inspector general concluded that Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, now President Trump’s national security adviser, violated the service’s regulations in a case that involved two junior officers accused of sexual assault.
The report asserts that during an assignment as the commanding general at Fort Benning, Ga., General McMaster “improperly” decided to allow two second lieutenants to attend Ranger School even though they were under investigation on allegations that they had sexually assaulted a female officer as cadets at West Point.The report asserts that during an assignment as the commanding general at Fort Benning, Ga., General McMaster “improperly” decided to allow two second lieutenants to attend Ranger School even though they were under investigation on allegations that they had sexually assaulted a female officer as cadets at West Point.
A senior Defense Department official, who asked not to be named because he was discussing an internal investigation, said General McMaster had not intended to break the rules and insisted that the violation was technical in nature.A senior Defense Department official, who asked not to be named because he was discussing an internal investigation, said General McMaster had not intended to break the rules and insisted that the violation was technical in nature.
But it remains to be seen how the Senate Armed Services Committee will respond when the panel holds a closed-door session on Tuesday on General McMaster’s appointment to lead the National Security Council.But it remains to be seen how the Senate Armed Services Committee will respond when the panel holds a closed-door session on Tuesday on General McMaster’s appointment to lead the National Security Council.
A White House official, who declined to be identified because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, said that President Trump had been informed of the investigation and retained confidence in General McMaster.A White House official, who declined to be identified because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, said that President Trump had been informed of the investigation and retained confidence in General McMaster.
The Army investigation was first disclosed by The Washington Post.The Army investigation was first disclosed by The Washington Post.
The issue has its roots in allegations made by a young officer who reported that she had been sexually assaulted and touched inappropriately in 2011 and 2012 by fellow cadets at West Point who were male, at least some of whom were members of the Army academy’s rugby team.The issue has its roots in allegations made by a young officer who reported that she had been sexually assaulted and touched inappropriately in 2011 and 2012 by fellow cadets at West Point who were male, at least some of whom were members of the Army academy’s rugby team.
Two of those young officers later reported for training as Army infantry officers at Fort Benning, where a criminal investigation was opened into the allegations.Two of those young officers later reported for training as Army infantry officers at Fort Benning, where a criminal investigation was opened into the allegations.
General McMaster was asked by a subordinate if the junior officers could enter Ranger School, after completing their basic officer training, while the investigation continued.General McMaster was asked by a subordinate if the junior officers could enter Ranger School, after completing their basic officer training, while the investigation continued.
According to the Army’s regulations, commanders are not supposed to take “favorable” personnel actions to advance the career of soldiers who are the subject of a serious investigation.According to the Army’s regulations, commanders are not supposed to take “favorable” personnel actions to advance the career of soldiers who are the subject of a serious investigation.
The regulations allow for an exception: Commanders can seek a waiver so that soldiers under investigation can attend special military schools.The regulations allow for an exception: Commanders can seek a waiver so that soldiers under investigation can attend special military schools.
General McMaster was reluctant to interfere with the soldiers’ training before any guilt was established, according to the investigation’s report. It said he was not aware that he was required to apply to the Army’s deputy chief of staff for a waiver so they could go to the Ranger School, where soldiers are taught combat leadership and tactics under grueling conditions.General McMaster was reluctant to interfere with the soldiers’ training before any guilt was established, according to the investigation’s report. It said he was not aware that he was required to apply to the Army’s deputy chief of staff for a waiver so they could go to the Ranger School, where soldiers are taught combat leadership and tactics under grueling conditions.
The criminal case against the two soldiers was later dropped after a Fort Benning trial counsel determined that the accuser’s account was not credible. Instead, the counsel recommended that administrative action be taken against the soldiers for various improprieties.The criminal case against the two soldiers was later dropped after a Fort Benning trial counsel determined that the accuser’s account was not credible. Instead, the counsel recommended that administrative action be taken against the soldiers for various improprieties.
At first, General McMaster ordered that an official reprimand be inserted into the officers’ files after they graduated from Ranger School. The officers were allowed to challenge that decision. After hearing their rebuttal, General McMaster concluded that the “misconduct had not occurred as alleged,” according to his official record of the case, and ordered the letters of reprimand to be destroyed.At first, General McMaster ordered that an official reprimand be inserted into the officers’ files after they graduated from Ranger School. The officers were allowed to challenge that decision. After hearing their rebuttal, General McMaster concluded that the “misconduct had not occurred as alleged,” according to his official record of the case, and ordered the letters of reprimand to be destroyed.
General McMaster later received his own chiding from Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, the vice chief of staff of the Army, though it fell short of a formal reprimand. Describing it as a “memorandum of concern,” General Allyn said that General McMaster should have been better informed about the Army regulations.General McMaster later received his own chiding from Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, the vice chief of staff of the Army, though it fell short of a formal reprimand. Describing it as a “memorandum of concern,” General Allyn said that General McMaster should have been better informed about the Army regulations.
“I understand that you were unaware of the ability to request a waiver in this case, and that you did not want to delay the officers’ training,” General Allyn wrote. “I also recognize that you ultimately decided to take no action against the officers after carefully considering the evidence. However, professional judgments may not supplant Army policy under any circumstances. I am disappointed with your actions.”“I understand that you were unaware of the ability to request a waiver in this case, and that you did not want to delay the officers’ training,” General Allyn wrote. “I also recognize that you ultimately decided to take no action against the officers after carefully considering the evidence. However, professional judgments may not supplant Army policy under any circumstances. I am disappointed with your actions.”
“I am not officially reprimanding you for your conduct,” General Allyn added. “This memorandum will not be filed in your personnel records. I consider this matter closed.”“I am not officially reprimanding you for your conduct,” General Allyn added. “This memorandum will not be filed in your personnel records. I consider this matter closed.”
But closed it is not: The Senate Armed Services Committee will discuss the Army investigation next week. While Mr. Trump’s choice for the post of national security adviser does not require Senate confirmation, General McMaster is still on active duty, and the Senate votes on any change of assignment for general officers.But closed it is not: The Senate Armed Services Committee will discuss the Army investigation next week. While Mr. Trump’s choice for the post of national security adviser does not require Senate confirmation, General McMaster is still on active duty, and the Senate votes on any change of assignment for general officers.
Senator John McCain, the Arizona Republican who leads the panel, and Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, who serves as the ranking Democrat, are aware of the Army investigation, congressional officials said.Senator John McCain, the Arizona Republican who leads the panel, and Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, who serves as the ranking Democrat, are aware of the Army investigation, congressional officials said.
Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand of New York, a Democrat and a member of the panel, has taken a strong interest in the role of women in the military and, an adviser said, pushed the Army to investigate why the junior officers were allowed to attend Ranger School.Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand of New York, a Democrat and a member of the panel, has taken a strong interest in the role of women in the military and, an adviser said, pushed the Army to investigate why the junior officers were allowed to attend Ranger School.