Since Army Spc. Vanessa Guillén was murdered in 2020 — apparently by a fellow soldier who had been sexually harassing her — a coalition that includes her family and their attorney, elected representatives, congressional staffers and veterans’ advocates have worked tirelessly in pursuit of legislation that might have saved her life. Their efforts bore fruit when portions of the “I Am Vanessa Guillén Act” were included in the $770 billion National Defense Authorization Act that was signed by President Biden on December 27. Sexual harassment is now a crime in the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and due process rights must now now be upheld.

By all accounts, sexual misconduct in the armed forces has been rampant for many years, and victims have felt helpless. So the focus on such abuse is both understandable and warranted. But men and women who’ve suffered other types of violent attacks and discrimination in the military have likewise been unable to seek justice without fear of reprisals (or hope of perpetrators being held accountable), and it’s not clear lawmakers or advocates have been endeavoring to protect those victims.

Army veteran Roger Stebbins was attacked and severely beaten by a fellow soldier while serving in Germany during the Cold War era. There was no investigation, and he was deprived of necessary medical care. The incident left him with permanent brain damage, which is why he and other veterans have joined U.S. Tour of Duty: Operation Hellfighter. They understand the problem is not just about being tormented while on active duty. It’s also about coping with the effects of it for the rest of their lives.

A new petition is calling for Congress to pass legislation guaranteeing a safe space in the military for service members to express their grievances when any of their rights have been violated. Army CPT/hip-hop artist Von-T will perform and speak about this campaign at the Minneapolis Convention Center on January 15. Von-T was convicted of violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice after he refused to comply with an order to remove his music videos from social media. U.S. Tour of Duty: Operation Hellfighter is connecting the dots between incidents of violence, intimidation and censorship.

U.S. Tour of Duty offers veterans the opportunity to network with other public-spirited Americans and develop mutually beneficial relationships. We launch social enterprises with strategic allies, facilitate all types of creative expression and lift communities by applying a military mindset to civilian life. U.S. Tour of Duty is a project of Fulcrum Arts, a 501 ©(3) charitable organization advancing collaboration at the intersection of art and science. Your donation enables us to provide our services at no charge.