Sigh...

Once again, young military men are being stupid... 

A new liberty order, promised two months ago by the top U.S. commander in Japan following alleged cases of sexual assault and attempted sexual assault by U.S. troops, takes effect Tuesday.

The order from U.S. Forces Japan bans early morning drinking in off-base establishments for all service members and spreads responsibility to every service member for policing one another’s conduct, according to a copy of the order obtained Monday by Stars and Stripes.

“Servicemembers should make every reasonable effort to prevent inappropriate or illegal activities by other Servicemembers,” the order states. “If Servicemembers are aware of such misconduct, they are to directly report such misconduct to their chain of command or other appropriate organization/office as soon as possible to do so.”

Full article, HERE from Stars and Stripes.

Two things about this concern me. One is the order to report misconduct to the COC. This is effectively making Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Soldiers subject to punishment if they DON'T report things, and also puts young enlisteds in the position of trying to determine what is and what isn't misconduct...

The second, and more troubling, is “Commanders shall practice proactive, intrusive leadership and develop programs that foster positive behavior and accountability,” the order states. Bold is mine... There isn't a definition of what intrusive leadership is, and trust me, THAT can very from commander to commander...and officers within commands.

This has been an ongoing issue in Japan and elsewhere for years, anytime you put young military men in an environment where young women are trying to make money off them in bars, etc. I don't have a good answer, other than for the kids to get their s**t together and STOP doing stupid stuff! 

Sigh...