WEBVTT

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it's getting worse . You have to do

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something like what we're all empowered

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to report sexual harassment . Talk to

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the chain of command . Our soldiers and

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airmen continue to experience the

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horrors of sexual harassment and

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assault , undermining the readiness of

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our force and trusting leaders ,

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allowing sexual harassment and assault

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to exist is allowing for the absolute

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destruction of unit cohesion that's

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required for us to fight and win

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America's wars following the horrific

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incidents of sexual assault that

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occurred at Fort Hood , I brought the

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senior leaders under my command

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together to thoroughly review the

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report . I wanted them to learn what

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could have been done differently to

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avoid such senseless acts , I needed

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them to understand the severity of how

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sexual assault and harassment destroys

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lives forever . During this meeting ,

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we also conducted a review of what we

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are currently doing and what we could

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do better to prevent sexual harassment

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and assault from happening in the

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Maryland National Guard . So today I'm

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officially announcing the step up to

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speak out against sexual assault and

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sexual harassment campaign . This

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campaign allows our saarc and senior

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leaders to receive feedback from every

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rank within the Maryland National Guard

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receiving this critical feedback is

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insightful and truly helpful for us to

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further formulate our progressive

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measures in preventing sexual assault

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and harassment . Sexual assault still

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plagues our ranks . Certain actions and

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attitudes foster a culture in which

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sexual assault and harassment can

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develop . We all have a role in

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ensuring that such a destructive and

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shameful culture does not cultivate

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within our units . Every airman and

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soldier must ensure that our culture is

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one in which we can be proud of . The

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enlisted force makes up over 80% of the

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military . We have always been the

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steadfast professionals helping to

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accomplish our nation's missions . Non

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commissioned officers are the backbone

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of the US military . You are our squad

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leaders , platoon sergeants and the

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first shirts of the Maryland National

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Guard . You know , your team members

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ensure their welfare . You are the

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mentors , showing junior service

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members what right looks like intervene

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anytime you see unacceptable behavior .

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Each time you walk past a violation ,

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you set a new standard degradation .

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Sexual harassment or sexual assault is

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never an acceptable standard . Stop

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seemingly small actions to prevent a

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toxic leader or culture from developing

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our future rests with you . Step up .

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Speak out . Old line .

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Yeah . Yes . Yeah .