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Report finds lack of trust in Alaska Guard command

By WTOP Staff

BECKY BOHRER
Associated Press

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A scathing report into allegations of sexual assault and fraud in the Alaska National Guard finds that victims do not trust the system because of a lack of confidence in the command.

The report, released Thursday, was requested by Gov. Sean Parnell, who said he was angry that it had taken several years to get to the bottom of concerns.

He told reporters from Anchorage that he had requested and received the resignation of Alaska National Guard Adjutant Gen. Thomas Katkus. Parnell said the buck stopped with Katkus.

“I’ve been extremely frustrated over the years because it seemed like we’ve been chasing a vapor,” said Parnell, who has been criticized for not doing enough in response to allegations of sexual assaults within the Guard. He said when his office heard concerns, it would go to Guard leaders and be assured the matter was being handled and be given a description of how it was handled. He said he had no evidence that he was misled.

Investigations requested by Alaska’s two U.S. senators found the same thing, he said, that it seemed the cases were being properly handled. He said it took this type of a “deep review” to get at the heart of the problem.

Parnell said when he obtained “concrete examples” of how the command structure was “failing Guard members,” in February, he took those to the National Guard Bureau. The bureau’s Office of Complex Investigations conducted the review.

It found that the Guard is “not properly administering justice” in investigating or adjudicating Guard member misconduct cases, that actual and perceived favoritism, ethical misconduct and fear of reprisal had eroded the trust and confidence in the Guard leadership, and the Guard does not have a formal means for coordinating with local law enforcement in cases involving Guard member misconduct.

The review also found what it called instances of fraud — such as embezzlement of funds from a program to help Guard families and misuse of government equipment for personal gain — but said those cases did not have an effect on the reporting of sexual assault.

It found that lack of confidence and trust in Guard leadership “is impeding the organization from reaching its full potential, and this persistent negative theme is contributing to the perception that the AKNG leadership is not addressing the concerns of sexual assault victims.” AKNG is Alaska National Guard.

Recommendations include improving the reporting process to ensure the information of victims of sexual assault is kept confidential and that the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate or a law enforcement liaison track allegations of conduct investigated by law enforcement.

Parnell committed to implementing the report’s recommendations and appointing a project team to oversee that, with the bureau’s help. He called it a starting point for change. He also said there would be further changes to the Guard’s command structure.

Brig. Gen. Mike Bridges will serve as acting commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs until a replacement for Katkus is appointed.

Parnell apologized to those who had been victimized.

“Our Alaska Guard members deserve better. The victims who have been hurt deserve better. And those who have brought complaints forward deserve better,” he said.

Release of the report did not quiet the criticism against Parnell, who is seeking re-election.

State Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage, said Parnell’s administration “let misconduct by the Alaska National Guard chain of command go on for far too long.”

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, called on Parnell “to hold accountable those individuals who have forced the AKNG to operate under a cloud of suspicion and mistrust for so many years.”

Begich’s office said the earlier reports did not include significant findings because they were conducted in an “ad-hoc manner,” often by individuals or units accused of improprieties.

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To read the report: http://1.usa.gov/1Acf7pe

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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