(SitNews) Juneau, Alaska - Following the conclusion of a six-month independent review and assessment of open and closed investigations related to reports of sexual assault, rape and fraud among members of the Alaska National Guard, Governor Sean Parnell released the findings Thursday, and took the resignation of the adjutant general, Major General Thomas H. Katkus. The governor originally requested the assessment from the National Guard Bureau Office of Complex Investigations (OCI) in February.

The report found Guard members have a lack of trust and confidence in the Alaska National Guard leadership’s ability to handle sexual assault cases and other misconduct. Further, the report found that favoritism, ethical misconduct and fear of reprisal have eroded trust and confidence in Guard leadership.

“The dedicated men and women who serve in the Alaska National Guard deserve better and I am committed to restoring the trust they are entitled to,” Governor Parnell said. “While the report’s findings are deeply troubling, I know that the overwhelming majority of Alaska National Guard personnel serve admirably and honorably. We will take all necessary steps to ensure respect, responsibility and trust are restored.”

Governor Parnell requested and received the resignation of Major General Thomas H. Katkus, adjutant general, and commissioner of Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Brigadier General Mike Bridges will serve as acting commissioner on an interim basis until a new adjutant general is named. The governor will also closely examine the command structure within the Alaska National Guard, which will include further staffing changes.

Governor Parnell requested the National Guard Bureau’s help in assembling a team to implement the recommendations in the report to restore a healthy and safe working environment for the men and women of the Guard. The governor has requested the OCI provide personnel to assist with implementing the recommendations outlined in the report. The team will include a representative from the Office of the Governor.

Governor Parnell, who is running for reelection, has requested a further investigation into allegations of fraud pertaining to the misuse of Guard assets.

Maj. Gen. Thomas Katkus provided his letter of resignation to the governor effective Sept. 4. Quoting a news release from the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Brig. Gen. Mike Bridges, currently the acting commissioner for the DMVA and acting adjutant general for the Alaska National Guard, is working with his team to fully digest the findings of the OCI report. The governor has stated that he will appoint a task force to provide guidance in response to the findings, and Alaska National Guard leadership is prepared to be responsive to all recommendations. There is a strong desire to move forward with employing plans that will benefit members of the organization and instill a more trusting working environment.

According to Brig. Gen. Bridges, the Alaska National Guard will be supportive of the governor’s task force and subcommittees who will provide direction in response to the findings of the OCI report. We want to be engaged in the process of implementing solutions to all issues and concerns presented by the governor’s task force.

“This is a time to learn from the past and look forward to the future with a desire to provide the best and most responsive work-place environment possible,” said Bridges. “There are areas for improvement, and we acknowledge that there is a perception of mistrust in our command. There has been a seamless transition in command, and there is no void in leadership of the Alaska National Guard.”

The Alaska National Guard’s citizen-Soldiers and Airmen are an impressive team of professionals who are committed to our state and our nation. They are trained and equipped to be the first military responders in all state emergencies; they have performed more than two-thousand life-saving, state-side rescues in the past two decades; and more than 3,700 have deployed in support of the Global War on Terror since 9/11, said Bridges.

“We must continue to do all that we can to ensure the Alaska National Guard is a positive and safe working environment for this incredible group of people that make up more than 99 percent of our organization,” said Bridges. “We support the governor’s direction as our commander-in-chief, and look forward to implementing any recommendations directed by his task force.”

Bill Walker, a candidate for Alaska governor, responded to the report saying Alaska owes a debt of gratitude to the guardsmen who risked their careers and faced retribution to confront the abuse of power, violence against women, and intimidation within the Guard. Without their courage and tenacity, the victims would remain voiceless in their attempts to report the abuse. And without accountability, this dangerous culture would persist within the National Guard indefinitely.

In a prepared statement Walker said, "My thoughts are especially with the victims of this prolonged tragedy. Today, you have been heard. Protective, curative, healing measures for the victims must now be taken. Those victimized while seeking justice must have justice, assistance and closure. Those responsible must face appropriate consequences. I continue to believe that action should have been immediate and thorough. A four year delay is egregious."

"Certainly the totality of the Guard, its mission, its place in our respect and hearts and the huge majority working each day to meet their responsibilities with honor must be fully acknowledged and thanked," stated Walker.

"This is the ALASKA National Guard," said Walker, "and we must move quickly to bring justice and closure, provide leadership to make necessary change, restore confidence and clearly show support for OUR Guard. The report found more than 200 reports of discrimination and sexual harassment over just the past year and a culture of tolerance of wrong-doing among much of the Guard leadership dating back far longer."

Walker said, "Once again, I call on Governor Parnell to hold accountable those individuals who have forced the AKNG to operate under a cloud of suspicion and mistrust for so many years. For those who have suffered because of inaction, I offer my apologies and my commitment make sure these problems are addressed promptly and effectively.”

In response to the report, U.S. Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) said in a prepared statement: “This 229-page report is shocking in its documentation of widespread sexual assault, discrimination, retaliation and tolerance of wrong-doing, especially at the highest levels in the Guard. We’ve been hearing these reports since 2011 and demanding action by the Parnell administration and senior levels of the National Guard. The vast majority of members of the Alaska National Guard serve our state with distinction and sacrifice, so it’s unacceptable that honorable members of the Guard have had to serve for years in a climate of cronyism and retaliation."

Begich expressed frustration that this is the third investigation of the Alaska National Guard on these issues. The first investigation, requested by Begich in 2012 based on complaints received in 2011, did not produced significant findings. A second investigation was requested by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and produced similar results. Begich maintains the earlier reports did not include significant findings because they were conducted in an ad-hoc manner and often were conducted by the individuals or units accused of improprieties.

Key findings of the 229-page report noted by Begich include:

• Respondents to the OCI Survey revealed 200 incidents of perceived discrimination and sexual harassment during the past 12 months.
• 35% of survey responded stated they would not report discrimination based on fear of reprisal.
• Substantiated complaints made against one officer resulted in no administrative action; the officer retired at his current rant and, upon retirement, was awarded the Legion of Merit.
• The current AKNG’s Sexual Assault Prevention Response Program is well organized but lacks the trust of victims due to their lack of confidence in command.
• The Team found there was a clear lapse in appropriate military victim services prior to 2012. There were several instances where victim complaints were not properly documented, victims did not receive accurate information regarding their reporting options, victims were not referred to victim advocates, confidentiality was not provided, and in some cases the victims were ostracized by their leaders, peers and units.

Alaska Senate President Charlie Huggins (R-Wasilla) also issued a statement regarding this independent review of reports of sexual assault, rape and fraud among members of the Alaska National Guard.

Huggins said, “The investigation requested by the Governor now has results which I am anxious to review. Governor Parnell has acted decisively in receiving the resignation of the adjutant general Major General Katkus and there is now an acting adjutant general, Brigadier General Mike Bridges."

"This is a multi-step process. Governor Parnell is requesting the National Guard Bureau work further with the State of Alaska to address seven areas of concern to help mature the roadmap to restore trust and confidence in the chain of command of the Alaska National Guard," said Huggins.

Huggins said, "It’s important the process be methodical and that we understand it will take some time. After viewing the investigation, I look forward to discussing the issue with Governor Parnell. "

Huggins is a retired Army Colonel and Senior Army Advisor to the Alaska National Guard. He said, "I remain confident in their mission preparedness and fully appreciate the need for confidence in command of any military organization.”

However, Alaska Senator Bertta Gardner (D- Anchorage) said in a prepared statement, "As expected, the finding of this investigation is extremely troubling. “The report is worrisome and shows a longstanding disrespect to and mistreatment of members of the Alaska National Guard,” said Senator Berta Gardner. “The Parnell Administration had let misconduct by the Alaska National Guard Chain of Command go on for far too long.”

Gardner said, "The report showed a lack of confidence in the chain of command, that victims were not provided the proper resources, instances of fraud, actual and perceived favoritism, ethical misconduct and fear of reprisal, with the Alaska National Guard failing to properly administer justice through investigations and adjudications. Following this investigation by the Office of Complex Investigations, General Thomas Katkus has resigned as the head of the Alaska National Guard."

"I am very disappointed that the Governor is leaving sexual assault and misconduct investigations in the hands of the Guard’s chain of command,” said Senator Gardner. “The report shows it is time to protect and defend Alaska National Guard members by using independent civilian investigators."

Representative Dan Saddler (R-JBER/Eagle River) and Senator Pete Kelly (R-Fairbanks), co-chairs of the Joint Armed Services Committee, responded to the report with a joint statement: "All military leaders know that they bear responsibility, fairly or unfairly, for the operations of their commands. As the top civilian authority over the Alaska National Guard, Governor Parnell likewise understands his responsibility to protect the integrity of all elements of the Guard, including the unfortunate necessity of ensuring the most thorough possible response to all actual or alleged incidents of sexual assault, misconduct or fraud. We regret the loss to public service of Maj. Gen. Tom Katkus, who has given years of service to the Guard, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and the State of Alaska. But we understand the necessity for the Governor to take all necessary steps -- and will support him in taking those steps -- to ensure a clear path forward so the Alaska National Guard can again enjoy full trust and support both within the ranks, and among the civilian population."

Saddler and Kelly stated they will take the findings and legislative recommendations under advisement after further study of the 229-page report.

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

On the Web:

Download the report from the Office of Complex Investigations
http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell_media/ak-roa-combined.pdf

Source of News: 

Office of Governor Sean Parnell
www.gov.state.ak.us

Walker for Governor Campaign
www.billwalkerforgovernor.com

U.S. Senator Mark Begich
www.begich.senate.gov

Office of Alaska Senate President Charlie Huggins
www.akleg.gov

Office of Alaska Senator Bertta Gardner
www.akleg.gov

Alaska Division of Military & Veterans Affairs
http://dmva.alaska.gov

Alaksa Representative Dan Saddler and Senator Pete Kelly
www.akleg.gov

 

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Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska

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