Military Humiliation and Abuse: It’s Not Just Abu Ghraib it’s DADT
We all remember the terrible photos coming out of Abu Ghraib showing what appears to be American service members abusing prisoners. Several soldiers were discharged over the events and spent time in correctional facilities; however, such harassment and abuse is not confined to just Abu Ghraib.
Joseph Rocha, a 23 year old veteran of Iraq was humiliated and abused by his military leadership over rumors that he was a homosexual. In one incidence, Rocha was “grabbed and held by military working dog handlers in front of the kennel, duct taped to a chair rolled outside and then left in a dog kennel until released.” This event was witnessed by someone on base who reported it and led to an investigation.
On another occasion, Rocha was “directed to role play homosexual simulation simulating oral sex with other male kennel support members.” Rocha states that this incident was videotaped and showed Rocha being told by his military leadership that he needed to be “more believable, act more queer, have a higher pitched voice, be more feminine and make the sounds and gestures more realistic.” The investigation made its way to Washington, D.C.; however, Rocha learned three years later that the investigation was dropped.
In Rocha’s official statement to the Navy he advised that he is, indeed, a homosexual. He was then discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. The people who did this to Rocha are still active duty.
California State Senate and the San Diego City Council approved separate resolutions on June 23, 2009 in support of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1283), which would lift the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. The California State Resolution is expected to be voted on by the full California Senate in August.
At hearings, Joseph Rocha spoke in favor of the resolutions. He was joined by:
- COL Stewart Bornhoft, SLDN Military Advisory Council (MAC)
- CDR Zoe Dunning, US Navy, SLDN Board Co-Chair
- Ben Gomez, US Navy (Ret) and Chapter President, American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) San Diego Chapter
- CAPT Eric McDonald, US Navy (Ret)
- LCDR Craig Wilgenbusch, USNR, SLDN MAC
Joseph Rocha’s recorded statement is available for download thanks to youthradio.org.
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It's shocking that so little attention has been paid to this story, Perfect example of why DADT needs to end and needs to end NOW.
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