As a military spouse who is also an Army Veteran, I have been exposed to many nonsenses in the military, but for this piece, I want to share with you one of the biggest challenges I faced while serving in the military.
Not too long ago, I was sitting in my living room, reading the news about Woody Allen suggesting that the #MeToo movement should not become a witch hunt. While reading that article, all I could think of was about the time I was sexually harassed in the military, and I didn’t say anything, precisely, for the same reasons Mr. Allen suggested. The truth is that I was pretty sure that, if I said something, my claims were probably going to be taken as a part of a witch hunt, as Mr. Allen suggested in the article.
I have to say that my story is a little different. You see, I wasn’t touched inappropriately, nor was I ever raped (thank God). Again, my experience was a different one, but at the same time, a very similar one to those stories that have been covering the news lately.
“Did you wear those clothes for me?”
“I would like to have a threesome with you and your friend.”
“Can I go and visit you at your house one day?”
“My son loves you…I guess he can spot a fine-ass woman the same way his father can?”
Those were some of the awful things that were said to me, exactly, 12 years ago—way before the start of the #MeToo movement.
Did I respond to him? No, I didn’t. Did I tell him to stop? No, I didn’t. Did I fall for it? No, I didn’t. Did I enjoy it? NO.I.DID.NOT.
So, why am I bringing this now when so much time has passed, and when it’s, probably, too late for me to do something about it, you may ask?
Well, let me tell you why…because I am cleaning out my closet and this is something I have never told anyone—not my husband, not my friends, not my parents. No one. But you know what? It’s time for me to say something. To get this out of my heart and to show the world that, sexual harassment does happen the military. I know because it happened to me.
