The New Hampshire National Guard has come under scrutiny for its handling of sexual harassment and assault cases, as reported by current and former members of the guard. Interviews revealed a culture of retaliation against whistleblowers and neglect for victims of sexual assault within the organization.
One disturbing incident involved a lieutenant colonel who deployed to the southern border in October 2022. He was found to have sent sexually suggestive messages to women, taken photos of women without their consent, and coerced women to visit his hotel room under threat of making their deployments difficult if they objected.
Reports from sources indicated that such behavior was not isolated but rather pervasive within the New Hampshire Guard, with leadership often turning a blind eye to these issues. In one investigation, it was revealed that the accused lieutenant colonel had a history of beating past investigations, undermining trust in the leadership's commitment to addressing misconduct.
The systemic issues within the National Guard that enable such misconduct were also highlighted. The part-time nature of service in the National Guard, coupled with ineffective investigative agencies and unclear lines of oversight, were cited as contributing factors to the toxic culture within the organization.
Guard members from various states echoed concerns about similar toxic environments in their units, indicating a broader systemic issue across the National Guard. Despite legislative efforts to address these issues, doubts remain about the effectiveness of proposed reforms in bringing about meaningful change.
While regulations and rules exist to govern behavior within National Guard units, sources lamented that enforcement and compliance with these guidelines were lacking. The pervasive nature of misconduct and the lack of accountability mechanisms have cast a shadow of doubt over the organization's ability to address these pressing issues.
