Story highlights
Army Maj. Gen. Michael Harrison is a former commander of U.S. forces in Japan
He was disciplined over his handling of sex assault allegations in his command
The military has seen an increase in the number of sex assault reports within its ranks
He has been retired from the Army at a lower rank, the Army said
A major general who formerly headed U.S. Army operations in Japan will be forced to retire and do so at a lower rank after the military concluded that he failed to “properly address” sexual assault allegations in his command, the Army said on Wednesday.
Army Secretary John McHugh has directed that Maj. Gen. Michael T. Harrison “be retired” as a brigadier general, according to a statement.
The Army said federal law requires that officers retire “at the highest grade” at which they served satisfactorily and McHugh determined that in Harrison’s case, it was one step below his current rank, the statement said.
Reports of military sex assault up sharply
An Army investigation found that Harrison mishandled sex assault allegations reported to the command, Lt. Col. Alayne Conway said. No other details were provided.
Harrison was suspended from his post as head of U.S. forces in Japan last year amid the investigation.
The military has struggled with the issue of sexual misconduct reports within its ranks.
Survivors of military sex assaults frustrated with legislation
Under current guidelines, military commanders have the authority to decide whether their subordinates should face prosecution when such allegations emerge.
A debate in Congress over whether to remove that decision-making process from the command structure was the subject of political infighting earlier this year.
Harrison joined the Army in 1980 served in numerous capacities around the world. He is due to retire in October.
Report: More than 1,300 military sexual harassment claims last year