House weighs military justice bill

The judiciary committee of the House of Representatives met Tuesday to discuss judicial reforms inspired by a series of savage sexual assaults in the Alaska National Guard.

The committee discussed House Bill 126, which would establish an Alaska Code of Military Justice, allowing members of the Alaska National Guard to be court-martialed and given dishonorable discharges from the service.

“It might surprise people to know the Alaska National Guard has never in its history given a dishonorable discharge … though it might have been warranted,” said National Guard Capt. Forrest Dunbar.

Dunbar explained that without a state code of military justice, the Alaska National Guard has few tools to punish small or severe offenses within its ranks.

“A code of military justice is similar to a criminal code, and it will give our commanders the ability to conduct courts martial and what is called nonjudicial punishement,” explained Dunbar, who in civilian life unsuccessfully ran for office as a Democrat against U.S. Rep. Don Young last year.

In October 2013, rumors of trouble in the Alaska National Guard surfaced in stories by former Anchorage Daily News reporter Sean Cockerham.

A subsequent investigation by the National Guard Bureau’s Office of Complex Investigations found Guard members and leaders had committed fraud and sexual assault. Guard rank-and-file said they faced a hostile response or none at all when attempting to report the problems.

The scandal was a contributing factor to the upset victory of independent Gov. Bill Walker over incumbent Republican Sean Parnell in 2014.

In Tuesday’s hearing, Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage and chairwoman of the committee, asked whether having a code of justice would have prevented the scandal.

“Can you honestly say that with the former leadership with the Guard … that simply by having this bill that would have made a difference?” she asked. “I guess I don’t really see this bill, in and of itself, as — if you don’t have good leadership — making much of a difference.”

“We don’t believe this is a silver bullet,” Dunbar replied, but “we believe this is part of a solution.”

In addition to pushing the creation of the code, the Guard’s leadership has been replaced, and a new position — provost marshal — has been created to address internal problems.

Much of the discussion during Tuesday’s meeting — which lasted almost four hours — dealt with details about how the code will be implemented among National Guardsmen, who are on active duty only part of the year, and among volunteers of the Alaska State Defense Force, Alaska’s official militia.

Dunbar said the principal obstacle to establishing a code of conduct is “cost and resources.”

Documents from April estimate that implementing the code would cost the state about $189,000 per year.

“We are basically creating a system of military justice, and that’s not cheap,” he said. “I believe the command has decided, and I hope this Legislature agrees, that this is worth it.”

Rep. Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage and House Majority Leader, said she thinks so.

“Even though the cost would be increased, the cost to human lives will be decreased,” she said. “I think that’s something we can’t miss.”

More in News

Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File
The Aurora Borealis glows over the Mendenhall Glacier in 2014.
Aurora Forecast

Forecasts from the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute for the week of March. 19

The FBI Anchorage Field Office is seeking information about this man in relation to a Wednesday bank robbery in Anchorage, the agency announced Thursday afternoon. Anyone with information regarding the bank robbery can contact the FBI Anchorage Field Office at 907-276-4441 or tips.fbi.gov. Tips can be submitted anonymously.  (FBI)
FBI seeks info in Anchorage bank robbery

The robbery took place at 1:24 p.m. on Wednesday.

Kevin Maier
Sustainable Alaska: Climate stories, climate futures

The UAS Sustainability Committee is hosting a series of public events in April…

Reps. Tom McKay, R-Anchorage, and Andi Story, D-Juneau, offering competing amendments to a bill increasing the per-student funding formula for public schools by $1,250 during a House Education Committee meeting Wednesday morning. McKay’s proposal to lower the increase to $150 was defeated. Story’s proposal to implement an increase during the next two years was approved, after her proposed amounts totalling about $1,500 were reduced to $800.
Battle lines for education funding boost get clearer

$800 increase over two years OKd by House committee, Senate proposing $1,348 two-year increase

A call for a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature to cast a vote that would reject recently-approved salary increases for legislators and top executive branch officials is made by State House Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, during a press conference Tuesday. Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, rejected the joint session in a letter to Tilton on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
House efforts to nix legislative pay raises hit Senate roadblock

Call for a joint session rejected by upper chamber, bills to overturn pay hikes may lack support

A simulated photo shows the tailings stack and other features of Hecla Greens Creek Mine under the most aggressive of four alternatives for expanding the mine in an environmental impact assessment published Thursday by the U.S Forest Service. The tailings stack is modestly to drastically smaller in the other alternatives. The public comment period for the study is from March 24 to May 8. (U.S. Forest Service)
New study digs into alternatives for Greens Creek Mine expansion

Public comment starts Friday on four options that could extend mine’s life up to 40 years

This image shows the Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament's logo. The club is looking for submissions of logos for the historic tournament's 75th anniversary. The winning artist will receive a $250 prize. (Screenshot)
Take your shot at a Gold Medal logo

Upcoming milestone prompts call for art.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Thursday, March 23, 2023

This report contains information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The Juneau School Board recently announced the three finalists for the district’s superintendent position: Frank Hauser, Carlee Simon and Thom Peck. The district is hosting a public forum from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 27 at Thunder Mountain High School for students, parents and staff to meet the three candidates. Additionally, the trio will be interviewed by the school board on Tuesday, March 28. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
School district announces finalists for superintendent post

Public forum and interviews scheduled for next week.

Most Read