Hearing of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee - Hazing in the Military

Statement

The Military Personnel Subcommittee met today for a hearing on Hazing in the Military. Chairman Joe Wilson gave the following Opening Statement:

"Today, the Military Personnel Subcommittee will receive testimony from the services' senior enlisted advisors, concerning the services' policies, training and enforcement with respect to hazing.

"This is a topic that cannot be taken lightly. Hazing is a degrading act that must not be tolerated in the military or in our society. Unfortunately, it happens. The military services do have policies on hazing to ensure its members understand it is wrong and must not be tolerated. Hazing is contrary to the values of our volunteer force and affects the morale of units. It violates the professionalism achieved and expected by our military.

"The Subcommittee will hear from the senior enlisted leadership within the services who are charged with keeping the service chiefs informed. These leaders are also responsible for ensuring the service member at the lowest level not only understands these policies, but also knows the courses of action servicemembers should take to remedy the situation when policies are violated. This issue concerns me as a member of Congress, as a veteran myself, but especially as the father of four sons currently in the military where it was the best environment for what I know is the opportunity of military service."

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