I just want to put it out there that it is my fervent belief that no victim of military sexual trauma has ever thought "I better not report this. SFC Smith has never corrected a soldier for wearing PTs at the PX, he definitely can't handle my sexual assault".

Also: one of the primary things that prevents young soldiers from reporting sexual assaults is that they occur when the soldiers are drinking under the age of 21. The soldier knows they're more likely to just get punished for underage drinking than to see justice for the assault.

Maybe something that would *actually* build trust between young soldiers and the military hierarchy would be to exercise more discretion on punishing soldiers harshly for minor infractions.

If a 19 year old PV2 shows up drunk, homesick, and teary-eyed at the CQ desk during his first month at the unit, what actually builds trust? Reporting him for an article 15? Or making him sit at the desk, drink some water and food, and talking to him to see what's going on?

The "back to standards" doctrine says nail him to the cross.

For my money I think the NCO who does the second option is the one who builds a stronger team in the long term.

But whatever.