Sex offenses at service academies

The latest data from the Defense Department show an increase in sex offenses at the three DoD service academies, as reported here. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's memorandum on corrective actions in response to what he called an "alarming increase" can be found here. Among them:

Communicate the Importance of Military Justice Reforms. I direct the Secretaries of the Military Departments, in collaboration with the Military Department Judge Advocate Generals and the Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, to work with their respective Superintendents to inform cadets and midshipmen about significant changes to the military justice process scheduled to take effect in December 2023. This includes communicating information on the independence, role, and responsibilities of the Office of Special Trial Counsel, the revised role of the Superintendent in military justice, and impacts of reforms on MSA [Military Service Academy] disciplinary processes. Materials will be prepared in time for delivery well before the changes take effect in December 2023. The Secretaries of the Military Departments will provide a copy of such materials to the DoD General Counsel no later than October 23, 2023.