Uncovering the Shocking Truth: Making War At Fort Hood Will Leave You Speechless

About Fort Hood

Fort Hood, located in Texas, is one of the largest military installations in the United States. Spanning over 340 square miles, it is home to more than 45,000 military personnel and their families. Often referred to as "The Great Place," Fort Hood plays a crucial role in the training and preparation of soldiers for combat missions around the world.

A History of Strength and Sacrifice

Established in 1942, Fort Hood has a rich history and has witnessed countless acts of bravery and sacrifice. Named after Confederate General John Bell Hood, it has served as a training ground for soldiers during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and various conflicts in the Middle East.

Making War at Fort Hood: An Insider Perspective

While Fort Hood may be a symbol of courage and resilience, there is a darker side to its story. Behind closed doors, some soldiers have experienced a different reality, one plagued by incidents of violence, harassment, and inadequate support. The following sections shed light on the alarming issues that have unfolded within the walls of this military stronghold.

Making War at Fort Hood: Life and Uncertainty in a Military Community

by Kenneth T. MacLeish (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3676 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	273 pages

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The Unspoken Epidemic: Sexual Assault

One of the most disturbing issues faced by soldiers at Fort Hood is the prevalence of sexual assault. According to a report published by the Department of Defense in 2020, Fort Hood had the highest number of reported sexual assaults among all military installations in the US. This shocking statistic highlights the urgent need for increased measures to protect and support survivors within the military.

A Culture of Silence and Fear

Behind these alarming numbers lies a culture of silence and fear that perpetuates such heinous acts. Victims often hesitate to come forward due to concerns over retaliation and the fear of not being believed. The hierarchical nature of the military can make it difficult for soldiers to report incidents involving their superiors, further exacerbating the problem.

Accountability Crisis: The Case of Vanessa Guillén

An emblematic case that shook Fort Hood was the tragic story of Specialist Vanessa Guillén. In April 2020, Guillén was brutally murdered by a fellow soldier, revealing the deep-rooted security and leadership failures within the base. This incident sparked national outrage and led to calls for a systemic overhaul of how the military handles cases of sexual harassment and assault.

Steps Towards Justice and Change

In response to the outcry, the Army launched an independent review to investigate the climate and culture at Fort Hood. The findings of this review, released in December 2020, exposed a multitude of systemic problems, including a failure to address sexual harassment, leadership deficiencies, and a lack of trust and confidence in reporting systems. Implementing the recommendations provided by the review will be crucial in ensuring accountability and preventing future tragedies.

Supporting Soldiers: Mental Health Awareness

Mental health is another critical aspect of soldier well-being that must be addressed. The high-stress nature of military service can take a toll on the mental well-being of soldiers, leading to issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Fort Hood and the broader military community must prioritize mental health support and resources to provide soldiers with the assistance they need.

Making war at Fort Hood goes beyond military training and combat readiness. It involves acknowledging and rectifying the deep-rooted issues that have plagued the base, particularly in relation to sexual assault and mental health. By addressing these problems head-on and implementing meaningful change, Fort Hood can truly become the "Great Place" it aspires to be, ensuring the safety and well-being of all soldiers who call it their home.

Making War at Fort Hood: Life and Uncertainty in a Military Community

by Kenneth T. MacLeish (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3676 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	273 pages

FREE

An intimate look at war through the lives of soldiers and their families at Fort Hood

Making War at Fort Hood offers an illuminating look at war through the daily lives of the people whose job it is to produce it. Kenneth MacLeish conducted a year of intensive fieldwork among soldiers and their families at and around the US Army's Fort Hood in central Texas. He shows how war's reach extends far beyond the battlefield into military communities where violence is as routine, boring, and normal as it is shocking and traumatic.

Fort Hood is one of the largest military installations in the world, and many of the 55,000 personnel based there have served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. MacLeish provides intimate portraits of Fort Hood's soldiers and those closest to them, drawing on numerous in-depth interviews and diverse ethnographic material. He explores the exceptional position that soldiers occupy in relation to violence--not only trained to fight and kill, but placed deliberately in harm's way and offered up to die. The death and destruction of war happen to soldiers on purpose. MacLeish interweaves gripping narrative with critical theory and anthropological analysis to vividly describe this unique condition of vulnerability. Along the way, he sheds new light on the dynamics of military family life, stereotypes of veterans, what it means for civilians to say "thank you" to soldiers, and other questions about the sometimes ordinary, sometimes agonizing labor of making war.

Making War at Fort Hood is the first ethnography to examine the everyday lives of the soldiers, families, and communities who personally bear the burden of America's most recent wars.