The preliminary findings from the Service Academy Gender Relations Survey for the academic program year 2023-24 show a decline in the prevalence of sexual assault at the military service academies, marking the first decrease in 10 years. This positive trend suggests that the Defense Department’s efforts to address sexual assault and other harmful behaviors within the U.S. military, including at the service academies, may be gaining traction. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III directed transformational actions for the service academies to prevent these harmful behaviors, and the department is cautiously optimistic that these strategies, along with the leadership commitments at the academies, are driving meaningful progress.
The data from the survey indicates a decline in unwanted sexual contact and sexual harassment at the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. The percentage of academy women who experienced unwanted sexual contact in the past academic program year dropped to 13.3% from 21.4%, while the rate among academy men decreased from 4.4% to 3.6%. Additionally, the prevalence of sexual harassment also decreased, with fewer women and men reporting such incidents. This positive trend aligns with the decline in sexual assault incidents across the active-duty force, which officials attribute to sustained prevention efforts and allocated resources.
Leaders at the service academies have implemented changes to integrate prevention into every aspect of cadet and midshipman development. The overhaul of the training environment includes initiatives such as moving away from traditional class-year systems, enhancing leadership development, and character-building exercises, and equipping officers and faculty to reinforce a culture of dignity and respect. The goal is to create conditions that produce leaders who prioritize dignity and respect as essential elements of mission readiness and good order and discipline. By placing a professional prevention workforce at the academies and assessing climate more frequently, leaders can tailor their approach to address unique issues and prevent harmful behaviors before they occur.
The department’s top officials emphasize that healthy command climates are essential for a ready and capable force, as sexual assault and harassment can harm team cohesion and readiness. The improvements at the service academies demonstrate that a data-driven, holistic approach can yield measurable results and a return on investment. Department and MSA leaders are focused on replicating these successes, refining prevention strategies, collecting and analyzing climate data, and adapting policies to new circumstances. By continuing to prioritize prevention efforts, the department aims to ensure that cadets and midshipmen are fully prepared to lead in challenging and uncertain environments.
