Obama: Sexual assault threatens trust in military

May 24, 2013 @ 7:53 am


President Barack Obama reacts to CODEPINK founder Medea Benjamin as she shouts at him from the back of the auditorium during his speech about national security, Thursday, May 23, 2013, at the National Defense University at Fort McNair in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) | Zoom

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - President Barack Obama says sexual assault threatens the "trust and discipline" that makes the U.S. military strong and respected.

Speaking at the U.S. Naval Academy commencement ceremony, Obama urged new graduates to exhibit honor and courage in tackling incidents of sexual assault as they assume leadership positions in the military.

A Pentagon report estimates up to 26,000 military members may have been sexually assaulted last year and that thousands of victims are still unwilling to come forward. Obama says he is determined to stop the problem, saying sexual assault has "no place" in the military.

Obama also vowed to maintain America's "military superiority," even in an era of budget cuts, and promised to provide troops with all of the resources they need.


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Comments (182)


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  • CH wrote...
    There won't be any GOP by 2016 . . . .
    January 5, 2013 6:48 pm
    they blanked themselves in their shorts.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Just in time to invade Syria and Iran...
    January 12, 2013 12:18 pm
    .....I mean the "Nobel Peace Prize winner" sure does like killing people w/ drones.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    sure does like killing people w/ drones -
    January 13, 2013 9:10 am
    and your answer would be send in troops to get killed? what was your daft number again? get your WW1 helmet and report to the front line.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    What's a daft?
    January 14, 2013 7:56 am
    ask a three year old.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    King Obama to hold last news conference of first term -
    January 14, 2013 7:58 am
    hope he tell the republicans they are number one!! with the middle finger!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    "demands"
    January 14, 2013 8:19 am
    Well you know what, Barry? I DEMAND you stop f*#cking w/ my grand kid's futures, ya jackwagon!!!! STOP BORROWING AND SPENDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    zero-zero -
    January 17, 2013 8:32 pm
    you need to back up one president for that statement!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    King Obama to tackle gun violence -
    January 19, 2013 6:42 am
    Executive Order style!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • C"mon Man wrote...
    Starting at 10:30 am
    January 21, 2013 11:31 pm
    Will stay in campaign mode and re-distribute wealth and deflect blame, and tell Bill Gates, Paul Allen,Jeff Bezos,Bill Boeing,The Nordstrom and Clapp family:" You did not build that!"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    " You did not build that!" Bill Boeing -
    January 22, 2013 8:29 am
    well maybe he did. 787!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }