The Compelling MST Stories You Need to Know About

06/28/24 • 14 min

We share four news stories we need to keep an eye on related to military sexual trauma (MST). She highlights the toxic nature of the military and how MST is a symptom of a larger problem. The first story focuses on the Campaign for PCS Safety, which aims to protect gender diverse and people of color service members from MST. The second story discusses the court martial of Major General Stewart for alleged acts of sexual violence. The third story involves a soldier charged with child sexual assault and abuse. The fourth story covers the arrest of a retired brigadier general for alleged child sex crimes. The episode concludes with a reminder to come forward as a survivor and the announcement of upcoming guests and resources.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Top 5 MST News Stories

01:10 MST as a Symptom of a Toxic Military Culture

04:49 Court Martial of Major General Stewart: Holding High-Ranking Officials Accountable

08:36 Soldier Charged with Child Sexual Assault: Highlighting the Diversity of Perpetrators

11:44 Arrest of Retired General for Child Sex Crimes: The Need for Accountability

15:19 Supporting Survivors and Advocating for Change

Article 1: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/06/21/active-duty-families-seek-transparency-hate-crimes-and-racism-military-communities.html

Article 2: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-phillip-stewart-court-martial-jury-candidates/

Article 3: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2024-06-21/fort-campbell-soldier-sexual-abuse-photos-children-14255111.html

Article 4: https://www.cbs19.tv/article/news/local/retired-air-force-general-arrested-for-child-sexual-assault-in-east-texas/501-fc968884-3998-44ac-90dc-ac2b5fee0a79#:~:text=According%20to%20Hopkins%20County%20judicial,He%20has%20since%20been%20released.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Top 5 MST News Stories

01:10 MST as a Symptom of a Toxic Military Culture

04:49 Court Martial of Major General Stewart: Holding High-Ranking Officials Accountable

08:36 Soldier Charged with Child Sexual Assault: Highlighting the Diversity of Perpetrators

11:44 Arrest of Retired General for Child Sex Crimes: The Need for Accountability

15:19 Supporting Survivors and Advocating for Change

Article 1: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/06/21/active-duty-families-seek-transparency-hate-crimes-and-racism-military-communities.html

Article 2: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-phillip-stewart-court-martial-jury-candidates/

Article 3: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2024-06-21/fort-campbell-soldier-sexual-abuse-photos-children-14255111.html

Previous Episode

I Know How Much MST Costs Taxpayers

Dr. Brandy Preston-Rivers, a victim advocate and researcher on MST discusses the impact of MST on survivors and the military as a whole and her research on MST and its impact on society. She highlights the biases and challenges faced by survivors when seeking help within the military system. We cover the importance of early counseling and therapy for survivors, as well as the need for trauma-informed medical teams during perinatal care. and correlation between alcohol and MST. Dr. Rivers concludes by offering advice for survivors and acknowledging the work of trauma recovery services.

Takeaways

Survivors of childhood adverse experiences are more likely to be re-victimized in the military.

Virtual reality training and guided meditation can be effective tools in raising awareness and promoting empathy for survivors of MST.

Trauma-informed medical teams are essential during perinatal care to address triggers and provide support for survivors.

Addressing rape myth acceptance is important in understanding survivors' experiences. \

The implementation of the Offices of Special Trial Counsel is a step towards addressing MST, but biases within the military system exist still.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Apology for Delayed Episodes

01:10 Guest Introduction: Dr. Brandy Preston-Rivers

04:23 Experiences in Basic Training and Operational Air Force

06:39 Impact of Lackland Scandal on Basic Training

08:51 Sexism and Discrimination in the Military

09:18 Pursuing Education and Becoming a Victim Advocate

19:33 Becoming a Victim Advocate and the Training Involved

22:08 Phasing Out of Victim Advocates and Future Changes

26:07 Deployment Experience as a Victim Advocate

28:30 Pursuing a Doctorate and Research on MST

30:23 The Power of Guided Meditation and Virtual Reality Training

32:14 The Importance of Support Systems for Survivors

35:00 Delayed Realization and Challenges in Reporting MST

39:28 Incompetence and Betrayal by Leadership

41:48 Improving Training Programs and Promoting Empathy

45:13 The Emotional Impact of Sexual Trauma

49:28 Alcohol and Rape Myth Acceptance in MST Incidents

52:43 Biases and Challenges in the Military System

54:00 Empathy and Offender Tendencies in the Military

55:20 Resources and Support for MST Survivors

01:08:55 The Offices of Special Trial Counsel and Potential Challenges

01:12:34 The Importance of Early Counseling and Therapy

01:15:24 Misdiagnosis and Disability Pay for Survivors

01:25:31 Connecting with Gen Z Troops and Supporting Survivors

Share your story at [email protected]. If you prefer to remain anonymous, visit our website for more information on how to share your story confidentially.

No material on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified and licensed physician or other medical care provider, and follow their advice.

If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or others, please contact 911 or any of the following resources:

Veterans Crisis Line - 988, then press 1

NAMI - 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

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Next Episode

Dogs are a Survivor's Best Friend

Cheryl Mullick, a member of Pave USA, discusses the process of placing service dogs with handlers who have severe PTSD from military sexual trauma (MST). The organization trains dogs to work with handlers who have various disabilities, including epilepsy, diabetes, and PTSD. The screening process for applicants is detailed and includes requirements such as an honorable discharge from the military, a disability rating from the VA, and current treatment for PTSD. The dogs are trained to detect specific scents related to the handler's condition, such as hormones associated with panic attacks or nightmares. The bond between the handler and the dog is crucial, and the organization provides ongoing support and training for the lifetime of the dog. Service dogs play a crucial role in supporting veterans with disabilities, particularly those with PTSD. These dogs are trained to provide specific assistance based on the individual's needs, such as alerting to anxiety or nightmares. Retrievers are often the preferred breed for service dogs due to their friendly and steady nature. It is important to distinguish between emotional support animals and service dogs, as the latter have public access privileges and are trained to mitigate specific disabilities. The bond between a veteran and their service dog is profound, and these dogs can sense and respond to their handler's emotions and needs.

Takeaways

PAVE USA is an organization that places service dogs with handlers who have severe PTSD from military sexual trauma.

The screening process for applicants includes requirements such as an honorable discharge from the military, a disability rating from the VA, and current treatment for PTSD.

The dogs are trained to detect specific scents related to the handler's condition, such as hormones associated with panic attacks or nightmares.

The bond between the handler and the dog is crucial, and the organization provides ongoing support and training for the lifetime of the dog. Service dogs are trained to provide specific assistance to veterans with disabilities, such as alerting to anxiety or nightmares.

Retrievers are often the preferred breed for service dogs due to their friendly and steady nature. - It is important to distinguish between emotional support animals and service dogs, as the latter have public access privileges and are trained to mitigate specific disabilities.

The bond between a veteran and their service dog is profound, and these dogs can sense and respond to their handler's emotions and needs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:07 Cheryl's Background in Animal Training

06:07 The Process of Getting a Service Dog

09:18 Requirements and Screening Process

12:42 The Bond Between Handler and Dog

15:36 Training Service Dogs: Specific Tasks

24:00 The Magic Between Dog and Person

27:57 The Incredible Abilities of Dogs

30:52 Introduction to Service Dogs for Veterans

42:20 Training and Qualities of Service Dogs