The Case the U.S. Marine Corps doesn’t want you to know about.
Corporal Thae Ohu, who spent 328 days shackled in isolation is now free.
Many have refused to intervene on her behalf as her circumstances appeared to be too taboo, including congressional members who are fighting so hard for reform, the Defense Secretary demanding leaders to do better and mainstream media who never shared her story — not once.
By now the troubling facts and further ill-treatment have been made known that lead Ohu to her breaking point. Her mishandled sexual assault report made in Fall 2018, including the command’s failure to refer Ohu to investigative services and the improper denial of victims’ legal services; the toxic command climate at Marine Corps Detachment Dam Neck; the interruption of her physical evaluation board (PEB) that was in progress of medically separating Ohu; coupled with the improper handling of her mental healthcare and inhumane treatment while locked up at the Navy Consolidated Brig Chesapeake.
Although she is free and was able to enjoy her first sunrise in almost a year, was justice really served in this case? With continued advocacy for change within the ranks of our beloved military, we cannot just accept the injustices that are overtly displayed by the Marines — who for the last 12 years have continued to see more intra-military rapes being reported.
Although The U.S. Marine Corps wants to make the general public see Ohu’s case as an isolated incident, the numbers prove otherwise. The corruption, coverups, coercion and collusion are so wholly integrated that it literally contradicts the very meaning of Semper Fidelis.
Latin for “Always Faithful,” Semper Fidelis is the motto of every Marine — an eternal and collective commitment to the success of our battles, the progress of our Nation, and the steadfast loyalty to the fellow Marines we fight alongside.
Ohu’s challenges all began as a result of her being raped while stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
Sexual Violence in Okinawa Japan
According to USMC courts-martial records obtained from USMC Headquarters, between January 2015 and December 2017, 65 U.S. Marines were imprisoned at courts-martial on Okinawa for sexual offenses targeting adults, children and, in one case, an unknown number of animals.
The military continues to largely escape scrutiny when it comes to transparency and correction of the Sexual Assault and Prevention Program.
In 2018, Jon Mitchell wrote about U.S. Marine Corps Sexual Violence in Okinawa, with data about the same year and same place Ohu was raped in her barracks. Okinawa has 11 major USMC installations with approximately 20,000 marines stationed on the island — compared to mainland Japan where there are only two USMC bases.
For years, locals’ largest concern has been sexual violence, however, the violence isn’t just targeted to Japanese nationalists, but internally on installations as well.
The article goes on to detail NCIS reports that Mitchell obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, which shows many marines who were investigated between 2015 and 2016 on suspicion of committing sexual offenses on Okinawa that were either not brought to trial or received only minor punishments.
Ohu was raped in the barracks in August 2015 and similarly, when she reported in 2018, NCIS did an investigation but her offender wasn’t punished at all. In fact, Staff Sgt. Carlos Salazar (who has been named in prior reporting) currently works in the Pentagon’s legal division.
Mitchell reports specifically about other sexually violent crimes that happened in the same year, Ohu was raped.
In March 2015, a male marine woke to another male marine anally raping him, the attacker was not found guilty even though he admitted to having sex with the victim.
In April 2015, a male marine sexually assaulted a female marine twice in their barracks by groping her breasts, genitals and biting her. He received minor punishment for assault and drunkenness.
In June 2015, a master sergeant sexually assaulted a fellow marine’s seven-year-old child, he attempted to lift her dress and shove his finger in her mouth until she gagged. His punishment was a six-month pay cut and he was able to retire with full benefits.
In August 2015, another female marine was raped by a male marine, who had been investigated twice before — this time he received a bad conduct discharge for assault, adultery and disobeying an order but no sexual conviction.
In December 2015, a male marine was tried in a court-martial for rape, sodomy and bodily damage of a female marine, although, he served 30 days in the brig and lost pay, he wasn’t convicted of a sex crime — he was able to continue his service.
The biggest threat to the general public is the fact that the military justice system allows admitted criminals to walk free and possibly evade the U.S. system whereby sex offenders register on state or federal databases.
When the punishment doesn’t fit the crime, it allows future predators to feel empowered to continue to victimize the force.
Rape and Retaliation
Like many other marine victims of sexual assaults, Ohu faced numerous institutional obstacles when trying to obtain justice and advocacy. Not only is the ultimate decision whether to prosecute suspects made by the base commander, but every level of leadership is also responsible for empowering victims with optimal care and ensuring they are given the tools to address high-risk behaviors.
According to the Department of the Navy(DON) 2020 Report, since FY14, 97.8% of all victims reporting in-service sexual assaults were enlisted; Lance Corporals (E-3) continue to be the most frequent victim rank to report a sexual assault to the Marine Corps. Across the DoD, 64% of female victims faced at least one form of retaliation.
In FY 2018, the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention Program Office was funded at $24 million with an additional $35 million allocated for Special Victims’ Counsel Program — yet service members continue to be raped and retaliated against without proper justice or proper culture change in the military.
When leadership will go to the great lengths to make an example out of Ohu to foster a culture of silence, there will continue to be no change in the safety of America’s sons and daughters who join the Marines to find purpose and belonging.
Ohu’s command and leadership failed to heed the advice of General David H. Berger in his 2019 Commandant’s Planning Guidance where he stated that “Everything starts and ends with the individual Marine.” Our institution must treat each Marine with “dignity, care and concern… Leaders are expected to do everything within their power to ensure the individual Marine succeeds.”
Not only did they fail to ensure she was cared for properly they actively pursued her to fail — denying her rape to be properly investigated, denying transfer to the Wounded Warrior Battalion, denying her medical discharge, locking her up for 328 days, diagnosing her with a personality disorder and the latest attempt to sabotage a once-promising Marine, hindering her medical benefits post-service.
According to the Acting Secretary of the Navy, Thomas W. Harker, DON is unwavering in its commitment to preventing sexual assault, empowering and care for those impacted, holding offenders appropriately accountable and continuing to promote the health and readiness of the fleet forces.
If this is true, then more than self-evaluations, analysis and more preventative measures need to be put in place — real leadership accountability must begin, appropriate punishments and transparency of crimes are demanded and an assurance that all sex offenders register in the national database to protect all Americans in and out of the uniform.
Ohu’s case is textbook percipience of everything that is currently wrong with the system and now is the time for a real change.
