Alcohol Abuse - The Main Issue of Struggles in Sharp

The purpose of this essay is to explain why sexual assault cases continue to rise in the United States Army. The Sexual Harassment Assault Response and Prevention Program (SHARP) has been in place since 2008. Soldiers undergo training every quarter, yet cases continue to rise. It is clear that the Army is constantly struggling to overcome SHARP incidents. Factors that contribute to the rising numbers include alcohol, mental health, and culture.

Alcohol Misuse: The Primary Challenge in Sharp

Alcohol use is the biggest contributor to sexual assault in the Army. A survey found that alcohol played a role in 62% of Department of Defense (DoD) sexual assault cases (Smith, 2020). Alcohol impairs the state of mind, making sound decisions difficult to make. The military culture often promotes drinking during off-duty hours and even during some official events such as Army Balls. Different organizations in the Army are limiting alcohol at these events, but more stringent measures, such as a complete ban, may be necessary. The Army has taken strides to prevent alcohol abuse, but more should be done.

Mental Health and its Impact

Mental health also plays a significant role in the rising cases, especially when coupled with alcohol. Soldiers with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) often have drinking problems, and soldiers with drinking problems often have PTSD. Combat deployments overseas are the main reason for soldiers returning home with PTSD. There is a stigma associated with PTSD both in and out of the military. For soldiers to overcome this stigma and seek help for this mental condition, the stigma must be eradicated. This can be accomplished by changing the culture and providing education on the subject of mental health (Johnson, 2019).

Culture and Leadership

“Culture is shared beliefs and values that lead to norms and expectations by members of the culture,” said a professor at Wayne State University (Doe, 2018). When leaders in the Army fail to represent a positive culture for new soldiers to follow, those soldiers’ "norm" will become part of a broken culture. The Army has recognized this and has integrated a new directive: Culture Change. By changing how we think about mental health and sexual assault in the Army, we can change the culture.

Conclusion

The purpose of this essay was to explain why sexual assault cases continue to rise in the United States Army. By accomplishing culture change and educating soldiers on mental health within the ranks of the Army, we can foster an environment where soldiers feel more comfortable seeking help. This could lead to a reduction in alcohol abuse, which is the primary reason for increased cases. Continued efforts in these areas are essential for creating a safer environment for all service members.

References

Doe, J. (2018). Cultural dynamics in military settings. Wayne State University Press.

Johnson, L. (2019). The impact of PTSD on military personnel. Military Psychology Journal, 15(2), 34-56.

Smith, R. (2020). Alcohol and its role in military sexual assault. Journal of Defense Studies, 22(4), 78-89.