hook damaged the morale and prestige Taps .for the Navy? of the Navy. But the worst damage was inflicted not by a few drunken and misbehaving junior officers, but by high-level officials whose judgment was impaired by sexual politics. Patricia Schroeder, a powerful mem­ THE TAILHOOK ber of the House Armed Services Com­ mittee is a mistress of sexual politics. She ~shed to define Tailhook as a SCANDALS "watershed event"-a revelation of the Navy's sexual harassment so shocking Tailhook '91 really was a scandal-but nothing that it could be remedied only by lift­ ing the prohibition against women in compared to the investigation that followed it. combat. It was a stunning non-sequi­ tur-military women must be exposed to thugs behind enemy lines in order ELAINE DONNELLY to protect them from drunken com- ~~------l'ftde& at home but-eowed Navy offi­ cials felt compelled to embrace it as N OCTOBER 15, 1993, Rear directing combat operations during their own. Admiral Riley Mixson, Chief Desert Storm. "I can assure you," The brass allowed themselves to be of the Navy's Air Warfare Di­ Mixson wrote, "my thoughts in the 0 bullied into a capitulation to feminists VISlOn, received a letter of censure Red Sea were not on Tailhook '91." on procedural and policy issues, at the from new Secretary of the Navy John In fact, Mixson hadn't attended expense of legal safeguards and sound Dalton. Dalton hit Mixson for being Tailhook in 13 years, and was shocked military policy. The farce carne to a responsible for the arrangements of to see how gross its nightlife had be­ humiliating end on February 8 of this the 1991 Tailhook convention, the mil­ come. In an immediate report to his year, when Captain William T. Vest, a itary's worst sex scandal in history. superiors, Mixson warned that the ac­ Navy judge, blasted Defense Depart­ The rebuke was fired like a showy tivities he observed must never be al­ ment officials for bungled, amateurish missile attack, staged for the benefit of lowed to happen again. witness interview reports that could CNN. But Mixson defended himself Two years later, none of this would not stand up in court, and threw out with a letter that convincingly refuted prevent the highly decorated admiral the last of three pending courts mar­ Dalton's charges. He wrote that dur­ from being censured for arrangements tial. In the end, after all the uproar, ing most of the time plans were being he didn't make, and for the actions of not a single court-martial produced a made for the infamous convention in · men not under his command. He conviction. Las Vegas, he was half a world away missed out on a third star and the chance to become Commander, Naval Mrs. Donnelly is president of the Center for Air Forces Pacific Fleet, and is now re­ What Really Happened? tired from service. His case was far Military Readiness and a former member of HE MYTH of Tailhook has by from unique. the Presidential Commission on the Assign­ now wreaked enormous darn­ ment of Women in the Armed Forces. The sensational accounts of Tail- T age on the Navy; but what had been the reality of Tailhook? Named for the device that halts air­ craft when they land on aircraft carri­ ers, the Tailhook Association is an in­ dependent group of active-duty and former Navy aviators. For more than 25 years, the Navy has provided trans­ portation and high-ranking speakers for its annual conventions, where pro­ fessional symposiums are held by day, hospitality suites by night. In Las Vegas in September 1991, many naval aviators were returning from life-or-death missions in Desert Storm. That-and the usual free-flow­ ing alcohol-gave the nightlife its spe­ cial kick. Hundreds of single women were drawn to the three-day event­ some for the second or third consecu­ tive year-and freely participated in wild party activities, ranging from CNf.R -+ MARCH 7, 1994 /NATIONAL REVIEW 59 sexual suggestiveness to gross inde­ would be rejected.) And to toughen the Duvall M. Williams for not having cency. investigation, Miss Pope demanded broadened the first investigation to But in a few cases, non-consensual unconventional investigative proce­ encompass "cultural" problems, and touching and grabbing degenerated dures that would have involved fleet he criticized Admiral Gordon for not into serious sexual assault. On Satur­ commanders and a civilian presiden­ having abandoned his neutral role for day night around 11:30 P.M. Navy tial appointee in the interrogation of that of prosecutor. Lieutenant Paula Coughlin, a helicop­ senior officers and others in their At a hastily called news conference, ter pilot, wandered into the "gauntlet," command. Acting Navy Secretary Sean O'Keefe, a mob of drunken airmen arrayed Officials in Defense Secretary Dick playing to the feminist gallery, made along the third-floor hallway who Cheney's office capitulated to Miss scapegoats of Williams and Gordon. pounded on the walls and pawed at Pope's threat, but Navy Judge Advo­ He announced both were retiring as a women as they walked by. cate General John Gordon, who was matter of "conscience," when in fact he According to Lieutenant Coughlin's responsible for the integrity of legal knew that wasn't true. Williams and oft-repeated account, a Marine Corps procedures and the protection of con­ Gordon had strongly objected to the captain grabbed her from behind, al­ stitutional rights, objected. Admiral criticisms of them in Vander Schaafs most lifting her off the ground by her Gordon argued that it would have in­ report, and Gordon's retirement date posterior. She spun around to confront jected both politics and unfair "com­ had been set months before. (Four him, but another man grabbed her mand interference" into what was sup­ weeks later, O'Keefe issued a memo­ from behind and the first man then posed to be an impartial investigation. randum absolving Davis, Williams, forced his hands down her tube-top. He also predicted that the interference and Gordon of any wrongdoing, but by The story broke in October when a let­ of high officials in judicial affairs then the media weren't interested.) ter from the head of the Tailhook As­ would create a problem "so severe that sociation berating officers for activities we will not see one successful court Sinking Careers "far over the line of responsible behav­ martial come out of this process." Two ior" was leaked to the San Diego years later, Judge Vest was to prove HAT DID the new, strong­ Union-Tribune. A few months later, him right. arm investigation achieve? Lieutenant Coughlin emerged as its At the time, Navy Secretary H. W Up to the end of 1993, 120 star-the Navy's own Anita Hill. Lawrence Garrett III overruled Gor­ Navy and 20 Marine cases were con­ don. But he was soon to be devoured sidered for possible disciplinary ac­ Rush to Judgment by the revolution he had appeased. tions, and approximately half were When on June 24 and 25 the lead dropped for lack of evidence. Even Y APRIL 28, 1992, the Navy story on ABC's World News Tonight when the charges did stand up, most Investigative Service had with Peter Jennings featured Lieuten­ of the men "went to the mast"-an in­ B amassed a 2,000 page report ant Coughlin, pressure mounted to ternal, non-judicial disciplinary proce­ from 2,200 interviews. But this volu­ make someone walk the plank. Within dure that meted out fines and severe minous study found only 44 instances days Garrett was forced to resign. In career penalties. But almost all of in which there was clear evidence to the meantime he had handed the in­ these cases involved unseemly behav­ justify disciplinary procedures. That vestigation to Derek J. Vander Schaaf, ior rather than sexual assault. was not enough for feminists like Pat Deputy Department of Defense Inspec­ In cases that went to courts martial, Schroeder, who berated the Joint tor General, and a PC rampage began where stricter judicial procedures Chiefs for "not getting it." Hoping to that left dozens of careers in tatters. apply, the Navy's prosecutorial meth­ appease them, Navy Undersecretary Throughout the summer of 1992 ods have been harshly criticized. In Dan Howard leaked -an incomple~ there were persistent reports of que!;­ particular, the practice of granting version of the NIS report; but this tionable interview techniques (investi­ immunity to a number of junior offi­ added fuel to the flames. When it gators would try to bluff airmen by cers-Barbara Pope's idea-allowed emerged that the number of prosecu­ falsely telling them they had been im­ some guilty junior officers to escape tions was likely to fall below the exag­ plicated by comrades), careless and prosecution. In one case, several jun­ gerated expectations aroused by early sometimes dishonest interview re­ ior officers were given immunity to reports, the feminists--echoed by the ports, and intrusive polygraph ques­ testify against the Commander of the media-alleged "whitewash." tions about sexual histories and prac­ Navy's elite Blue Angel demonstration Until then, Assistant Secretary for tices. The investigation did "so much team, who was allegedly present in Manpower and Reserve Affairs Bar­ to destroy the morale, the cohesion, one Tailhook suite while a couple en­ bara S. Pope, herself a feminist, had the effectiveness of the units, it makes gaged in a public sex act. The Gulf appeared, during 19 briefings updat­ my blood boil," one Marine colonel told War hero had been removed from his ing its progress, to be satisfied with the Washington Times. Thi-ee times, squadron and subjected to months of the investigation. Now she demanded senior prosecutors were removed from humiliation, but when the time came more "bodies." She threatened to re­ cases for overzealous conduct in pur­ for testimony and cross-examination sign unless all commanding officers suit of convictions. nr der oath, none of the immunized who had suites at Tailhook-including Still, on September 24 Vander witnesses could place him in the room some who had flown dangerous com­ Schaaf issued a report highly critical in question. bat missions in Desert Storm-were of the Navy's original investigation. While navy men saw careers sunk summarily fired "for cause," no matter He chastised Inspector General over being at the wrong party at the what their conduct. (This ultimatum George Davis and NIS Commander wrong time, some Navy women

60 NATIONAL REVIEW I MARCH 7, 1994 walked away from more serious of­ that the answer to any "execution fenses without a scratch. problems" with women in combat­ Take, in particular, Ensign Eliza­ e.g., the "love boat" phenomenon-is beth Warnick, who accused Lieuten­ cution produced no court-martial con- "the right kind of training to under­ ant Cole Cowden of attempting, with victions, Paula Coughlin and support- stand how not to get pregnant." two other men, to gang-rape her. ers seized a victory. Just weeks before Perhaps there should be courts mar­ Under oath, Ensign Warnick admitted Tailhook, despite strict prohibitions tial for fatuity. Kelso's apparent she had concocted the entire story to against lobbying by uniformed person- naivete masks the real reason keep her fiance from learning she had nel, Lieutenant Coughlin was one of for his change of heart. This is the willingly engaged in sex with Cowden, several women allowed to lobby for new Navy: a man's career depends on and had allowed men to drink "belly Representative Schroeder's bill to re- having the "correct" view on women, shots" from her navel. Despite the peal laws exempting women from com- as defined by feminists who know how Navy's stated policy forbidding false bat aviation. Tailhook gave a boost to to exploit seXual politics to get their accusations, Ensign Warnick received Mrs. Schroeder's effort that no amount way. When Navy Secretary Dalton nothing more than a slap on the wrist. of lobbying could. tried to fire Kelso for his lack of "lead- Disciplinary authorities failed to With Defense Secretary Cheney ership" at Tailhook, Defense Secretary pursue other Navy women known to keeping his head below the parapet, Les Aspin intervened to save him, at have participated in some of Tail- Senator Bob Dole and other GOP lead- least in part because he had c_hangeci nookYmore outllmdiSli party tradi-. ers went alm1g--wiili Tea Kennedy m .. -Ills mfricfal>Out ~omen-ill ~mbat. tions. Lieutenant Rolando Diaz, who 1991 and voted to repeal that law. Two Kelso should have gone-if for dif­ shaved women's legs in public, was years later, Cheney's successor, Les ferent reasons than Dalton's. Vest im­ prosecuted for "conduct unbecoming Aspin, followed the release of a second plicates him as one of the chief forces an officer," but three female officers report on Tailhook with the announce- sending the Tailhook investigation out whose legs he shaved were not disci­ ment that women would immediately of control. Vest charges that Kelso had plined on an equal basis. Indeed, one be assigned to combat-aviation train- not only been "in error" in denying of those three customers, according to ing. Repeal of the law exempting that he had not witnessed indecent Diaz, was none other than Paula women from combat ships came next, conduct at Tailhook, but "had manipu­ Coughlin, who showed her apprecia­ and the Pentagon is currently moving lated the initial investigative process tion by signing a banner with "You ahead to force women into more dan- ... in a manner designed to shield his made me see God. The Paulster." (This gerous positions in or near land com- personal involvement in Tailhook '91." is the -same media-savvy assault vic­ bat positions. Admiral Kelso's disgrace is shared tim who had been invited to the White Never mind that the Presidential by political appointees serving in the House to be consoled by George Bush.) Commission on the Assignment of Bush and Clinton Administrations When her own case--one of just two Women in the Armed Forces recom- who have condoned a new policy of dis­ assault cases brought to court mar­ mended in November 1992 that crimination that is both demoralizing tial-was finally brought to court, it women not be assigned to combat avi- to men and demeaning to women: in crumbled. After first identifying the ation, much less ground combat. Testi- future incidents of sexual misconduct, photograph of a man who had not even mony before the commission over- men will be disciplined, but women attended Tailhook as her assailant, whelmingly indicated that differences may not. Surveys already show that Lieutenant Coughlin picked a Marine in physical capabilities between men the problem of sexual harassment is captain out of a line-up. But she said and women would detract from unit aggravated by the men's resentment she remembered the captain wore an cohesion, and inappropriate interper- over double standards favoring orange shirt, whereas a picture from sonal relationships would likely hurt women, such as the gender-norming of Saturday night showed him in a green morale. The conclusions were based on test scores. It is hard to imagine a bet­ "Raging Rhino" T-shirt (the rhino is evidence from Desert Storm, when an ter prescription for future conflict be­ his squadron's mascot). That, plus average pregnancy rate among en- tween military men and women. alibi witnesses, doomed Tailhook's listed women of about 8 to 10 per cent, In reality, there were two Tailhook most celebrated case. combined with family/child-care prob- scandals. One took place in the halls Even before Vest's ruling, judges lems, meant the non-deployability rate of Las Vegas; the other, more serious had been laying into the Navy's prose­ among military women was three to and far reaching, under the watchful cution. The U.S. Court of Military Ap­ four times that for men. eye of Pat Schroeder. The same rotten peals in Washington criticized an "as­ Yet the Navy, described by Chief of procedures that prompted Judge Vest sembly-line technique in this case that Navy Operations Admiral Kelso him- to throw out the final courts martial merged and blurred investigative and self as on the "ragged edge of readi- applied in dozens of cases we'll never justice procedures." "At best," the ness," is rushing to spend millions to hear about that went to the mast. court continued, "it reflects a most cu­ alter combat ships for the accommoda- Where do those men go to get their ca­ riously careless and amateurish ap­ tion of wom.e·n. Why? In a Navy Times reers back? And, more importantly, proach to a very high-profile case ... interview, Kelso said he started to where does the Navy go to get its At worst, it raises the possibility of a change his mind about women in com- honor back? Not only did it betray shadiness in respecting the rights of bat when the Clarence Thomas/Anita men who had served it for decades, it military members." Hill hearings caused him to realize capitulated on issues that will affect But even though the Tailhook prose- that "there really is a jungle in the its combat readiness for decades to workplace." Kelso also now suggests come. A scandal indeed. D