UPDATED: Army investigators launched a formal investigation Thursday into a Stryker Brigade soldier’s allegations of racist behavior by some members of his unit.
The action follows an earlier, informal inquiry into the allegations that were first outlined in a story published Wednesday by the Army Times. The story is based on allegations by a soldier with 2nd Platoon, C Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, a unit under the 25th Infantry Division’s 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Fort Wainwright.
According to the Times’ story, the staff sergeant says soldiers with the platoon created a weekly opportunity to racially slur fellow soldiers during an activity the sergeant says was known as "Racial Thursdays."
The Times story says the sergeant is African-American, had served 10 years in the Army, and asked not to be identified. It says a junior enlisted soldier in the unit, who also asked to remain anonymous, supported the sergeant’s account.
A U.S. Army Alaska spokesman this morning confirmed that officials with the command had completed an initial informal inquiry into the allegations and has now launched a formal investigation. Lt. Col. Alan Brown confirmed that 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Commander Col. Donn Hill appointed an investigating officer Thursday to look into the matter.
Brown said in an e-mail to KUAC that quote, “The command is extremely sensitive to any complaints that involve equal opportunity or discrimination and will investigate every allegation."
Brown says he can’t estimate how long it’ll take to complete the investigation. He emphasized that “The allegations are just that – allegations,” until evidence is found to support them.
Earlier story (Thursday, March 19): Army investigators are looking into a Stryker Brigade soldier’s allegations of racist behavior by some members of his unit. A U.S. Army Alaska spokesman says the command is looking into the matter.
The allegations were outlined in a story posted today to the Army Times’ website. The story cites an NCO with 2nd Platoon, C Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, a unit under the 25th Infantry Division’s 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Fort Wainwright.
According to the Times’ story, the staff sergeant says soldiers with the platoon created a weekly opportunity to racially slur fellow soldiers during a weekly event the sergeant says was known as "Racial Thursdays."
The Times story says he was informed when he showed up for duty with the platoon that Racial Thursday is “a tradition” with the unit.
The sergeant says he was told it allows soldiers with the platoon to “say any racist remark you want without any consequences” to other soldiers.
The Times story says the sergeant had served 10 years in the Army, and asked not to be identified. It says a junior enlisted in the unit who also asked to remain anonymous supported the sergeant’s account.
The NCO told the Times that he’d filed an equal opportunity complaint against his platoon leader, who he said encouraged participation in "Racial Thursdays."
The sergeant, who’s black, says he contacted the Times because he believes the unit "has a bad habit of sweeping things under the rug."
U.S. Army Alaska spokesman Lt. Col. Alan Brown says officials with the platoon’s brigade launched an inquiry into the allegations last week after receiving an informal complaint about the allegedly racist behavior.
Brown declined to talk on tape, but he said in an e-mail that “The command has assigned an investigating officer and the investigation in the form of a commander's inquiry is ongoing.”
“Based on the results of that inquiry, and if the evidence supports it, the commander, usually the brigade commander, can elect to conduct a formal 15-6 investigation.” That’s a formal investigation under which a commander appoints an investigating officer to gather facts and make recommendations to the commander for further actions, if any.
Brown added, “The command is extremely sensitive to any complaints that involve equal opportunity or discrimination and will investigate every allegation.”
