Sep 22, 2004 - Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld today announced the appointment of the Defense Task Force on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Academies. The task force was mandated by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2004 to examine matters relating to sexual harassment and violence at the U. S. Military Academy and the U. S. Naval Academy.

The 12-member task force is comprised of senior military and civilian experts from inside and outside the Department of Defense. The military members are: Navy Vice Adm. Gerald L. Hoewing, chief of naval personnel; Navy Rear Adm. Louis V. Lasiello, chief of Navy chaplains; Air Force Brig. Gen. Jarisse J. Sanborn, chief counsel, Headquarters U.S. Transportation Command and staff judge advocate, Headquarters Air Mobility Command; Army Brig. Gen. Gina S. Farrisee, commanding general, U.S. Army Soldier Support Institute; Air Force Col. Sharon K. G. Dunbar, commander, 75th Air Base Wing; and Marine Corps Sergeant Major Alford L. McMichael, senior enlisted advisor, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe.

The civilian members are: Anita M. Carpenter, chief executive officer, Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault Inc.; Laura L. Miller, social scientist, RAND Corp; retired Army Maj. Gen. Michael J. Nardotti Jr., former Army judge advocate general; Delilah Rumburg, executive director, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape; Diane M. Stuart, director, Office on Violence Against Women, Department of Justice; and Sophia E. Mikula, counselor, St. Mary's High School, Annapolis, Md.

The task force is charged to assess and make recommendations concerning how the Departments of the Army and Navy may more effectively address matters relating to sexual harassment and violence at the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy, including any recommended changes to law. The task force follows the Fowler Commission that considered similar issues at the Air Force Academy last year. They are to report back to the secretary within one year.