Sex scandals tarnish military's image

"We will continue to come down hard on it, wherever we find it. And we will stamp it out."
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Dennis Reimer on sexual misconduct

Humbled by a series of scandals, the military embarked on a search and destroy mission against sexual misconduct this year.

The fight hasn't ended, but the soul-searching and the push for reform has begun.

The former top enlisted soldier of the Army, Sgt. Maj. Gene McKinney, faces 20 counts, ranging from adultery to indecent assault and threatening a female soldier. His court-martial is scheduled for early January, and McKinney said he plans to plead not guilty.

Kelly Flinn, the first female bomber pilot in U.S. history and a first lieutenant, was granted a general discharge in May after she was charged with adultery, disobedience, fraternization and lying to investigators.

The biggest sex scandal in Army history was uncovered at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. Widespread sexual assault and abuse was found, prompting an investigation at Army installations worldwide.

Air Force Gen. Joseph Ralston, who had been the top candidate for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, withdrew amid controversy over an affair he had 13 years ago with a married civilian woman while legally separated from his wife.

According to a 10-month probe of the issue released in September, sexual harassment and discrimination are pervasive in the Army. But the study found that the more serious incidents of sexual assault and abuse -- such as rapes of female recruits at Aberdeen -- are relatively rare.

The Army initially rejected calls to segregate male and female soldiers during training. But in December, a special panel appointed by Defense Secretary William Cohen recommended that all the armed services sharply roll back the integration of the sexes in basic and advanced training.