In 2015, a Navy officer’s wife died after falling seven stories from an apartment building in Belgium. For more than two years, the investigation into her death was led by Belgian officials. Navy officials repeatedly declined to take over control of the case, despite evidence suggesting foul play. However, pressure from high-ranking defense officials forced the military to reconsider its position. The United States recently […]
Cyberbullying isn’t explicitly prohibited in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). However, this hasn’t stopped one branch of the military from taking a firm stance in opposition to this type of behavior. As for as the Marine Corps is concerned, cyberbullying is a violation of military law and policy. Leaders within the branch have made it clear that servicemembers who use social media to […]
When you’re injured because of another person’s negligence, you generally have the right to sue that person for compensation. What happens if government or military negligence causes your injury? Can you sue the federal government for your injuries? Thanks to the Federal Tort Claims Act, you may have the right to hold the government responsible. However, whether or not you can sue will ultimately depend […]
It seems like there is a story in the news about police brutality or excessive force every day. Police officers do have fairly broad authority to use some degree of force to do their jobs effectively. However, the Constitution also protects everyday citizens from abuses of power. When police officers cross the line, victims can be seriously hurt. Thanks to Section 1983 of the United […]
Sexual assault is becoming increasingly problematic in the military. According to the Pentagon, the number of sexual assault reports has increased by 10 percent in the last year, while the number of sexual harassment complaints has also increased by 16 percent. Victims of sexual assault are often referred to mental health professionals and counselors for help overcoming their traumatic experiences. Unfortunately, it appears as if […]
When military servicemen and servicewomen return from active duty it can be difficult to settle back into their day-to-day lives. Many veterans suffer from emotional distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because of their participation in violent conflicts abroad. Coping with these raw emotions can be tough. As a result, many veterans turn to drugs and alcohol to ease the pain. Unfortunately, this has led […]
PFC Manning has offered to submit a partial plea in the WikiLeaks case. Specifically, Manning has offered to move forward in the case by pleading guilty by exceptions and substitutions. In the plea, Manning would admit guilt to some of the crimes he is charged with committing. The government is not required to accept the plea. Instead, the Court will determine whether this type of […]
The Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. This applies to those who have been convicted of a crime and those who are accused of a crime. PFC Manning, who faces criminal charges for leaking government documents to WikiLeaks, has had this Constitutional right violated. Last night, PFC Manning was ordered to strip naked in front of corrections officers in a Quantico holding facility. Manning’s clothing, […]
For the past three nights, the officers guarding PFC Manning have ordered him to strip and sleep naked. They take his clothing from him and force him to sleep in his cold jail cell without cover. In the morning, he is required to stand naked at attention for the morning roll call. All signs indicate that they will continue this humiliating practice for the duration […]
Chelsea Manning enlisted in the United States Army in 2007. Back then, she was known as Bradley Manning and struggled with gender identity disorder. This identity crisis made it difficult for Manning to fit into the military’s masculine and patriarchal environment. Throughout Manning’s career in the military, it was clear that internal demons and mental health issues made it nearly impossible for her to feel […]