Fort Hood Leadership Gutted Following Murder and Violence Investigation

WASHINGTON D.C. – The U.S. Army has confirmed it will fire or suspend 14 officers and enlisted soldiers at Fort Hood after the completion of an internal investigation.

The investigation came on the heels of the brutal murder of Vanessa Guillen and 24 other soldiers who lost their lives while stationed at Fort Hood. 

“The tragic death of Vanessa Guillen and a rash of other challenges at Fort Hood forced us to take a critical look at our system policy and selves. But without leadership, systems don’t matter. This is not about metrics but it’s to have the human decency to show compassion for our teammates and look out for the best interest for our soldiers," said Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy.

According to McCarthy, the report highlighted the fact that leadership failures allowed a widespread pattern of violence at the post. The violence included murder, sexual assault, and sexual harassment.

“I’ve determined the issues at Fort Hood are directly related to leadership failure,” said Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy. “Leaders drive culture and are responsible for everything the unit does or doesn’t not do. I am gravely disappointed."

Three high-profile officers were relieved of their posts according to the Army.

• Maj. Gen. Scott L. Efflandt - deputy commanding general III Corps;
• Col. Ralph Overland - 3rd Cavalry Regiment commander 
•  Command Sgt. Maj. Bradley Knapp - command sergeant major.

Efflandt was in charge of the base when Guillen was killed and during the subsequent investigation.

Two high-profile officers were suspended according to officials. 

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Broadwater, who served as the 1st Cavalry Division commanding general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas C. Kenny, who served as the command sergeant major, are suspended until the investigation into the division’s command climate and Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program is complete.

A four-person panel was part of the process that aimed to determine if the culture at Fort Hood reflected the values held by the U.S. Army. According to panelist Chris Swecker, the failures at Fort Hoof are acts of omission.

“Serious crime problems on Fort Hood have gone unaddressed because the installation is in a fully reactive posture," said Swecker. "Leaders across a series of commands failed to use best practices in the areas of public safety to develop and execute crime suppression strategies.”

In response to the investigation and the subsequent report, the Army will be implementing the People First Task Force initiative in March 2021. The task force will access the changes that need to be made to the climate at U.S Army bases.

"This report without a doubt will cause the army to change our culture. I accept all these findings in whole," said McCarthy.