US army officer guilty of sexual harassment in historic military case
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Lt Col Herman West, who was formerly stationed at Washington's Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), was charged with various counts of sexual harassment.
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Members of the United States Army march during the annual Veterans Day Parade, on November 11, 2024. (AP)
A former US Army battalion commander was found guilty of sexual harassment of a subordinate on Friday, in what prosecutors described as a landmark military justice case only two months after a third of CIA employees reported inappropriate sexual conduct in the workplace.
Lt Col Herman West, who was formerly stationed at Washington's Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), was charged with various counts over his treatment of a female officer in his command, according to KOMO news.
The subordinate officer, whose identity has not been revealed, said in a JBLM hearing that West harassed her for many weeks beginning in the summer of 2023.
According to KOMO News, West's activities included barging into women's restrooms, making unwelcome sexual remarks, and frequently touching her improperly while on military trips. West allegedly made frequent sexual attempts, telling the lady that he was delighted to accompany her on a mission to Indonesia, where they would share a hotel room and "get super drunk" and "totally unhinged".
The woman, who had recently graduated from college and a reserve officers’ training corps (ROTC) program, was initially hesitant to report West's actions since he frequently brags about his uncle, former US congressman and Republican party leader Allen West. Herman West had also emailed human resources without the woman's permission, preventing her from transferring to another position.
Following yet another uncomfortable incident upon their return from lunch at a local restaurant to the base, an army colleague persuaded the woman to submit a report against West. The lady was reportedly frightened that she might be compelled to accompany West on the trip to Indonesia, and "if he was bold enough to do that, he was bold enough to do more," she added, referring to West unzipping his pants, according to KOMO News. The lady stated that she intended to leave the service after West's pestering.
West's punishment after his guilty sentence was receiving a written reprimand in his military personnel file. He was also fined more than $92,000 after previously facing a dishonorable discharge and potential jail time.
Read more: Japan warns sex crimes committed by US forces ‘cannot be tolerated'
In court, West confirmed his acts and apologized to the victim, saying he had "failed" his colleagues.
West is one of the first cases to be tried in a court martial under new military justice reforms enacted by Joe Biden's presidential administration. Sexual harassment is now considered a crime under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
Military justice activists hailed West's conviction as a historic first step toward assisting victims of sexual abuse.
The decision against West "represents a critical milestone in our ongoing fight to end sexual harassment and assault in the military," according to Josh Connolly, senior vice president of Protect Our Defenders, an organization dedicated to ending sexual violence in the United States military.
"I applaud this brave military woman for her amazing fortitude in coming out to bring Lt Col West accountable."
Connolly expressed that the case "sends a clear message that sexual misconduct will not be tolerated in our armed forces."
