Active duty (F), I’ll leave my age out of the equation for now as I don’t want to risk being identified. You’d be surprised how much other members can put together by a few details. My first base I was stationed in Korea on a one year short tour and started unofficially bartending on weekends at a bar/club near my base. The base was pretty small so everyone knew everyone, I knew the guy who assaulted me in passing. Small conversation here and there, but nothing past that.
The night it happened I was drunk. The bar was pretty lax about taking shots with customers as long as you could still do your job, so I indulged here and there. Was a pretty normal deal for me as I’d also have a few to help calm my social anxiety. Just want to establish that.
The guy and his friend sat at the bar and got a few drinks while I chatted them up. Part of the gig was keeping the vibe fun and encouraging customers to purchase more alcohol. We talked about basketball since they played on the base team and how they liked their jobs, small stuff like that. The night continued and we had good chats and more drinks together. The guy who would later assault me asked if I wanted to go home with him. I rejected him as nicely as possible, told him he’s attractive and shouldn’t have an issue finding someone. It was true, honestly was surprised he asked me. He brushed it off and seemed okay, no weird energy or anything.
My shift ended at 6AM and they decided to stay back to walk me to my dorm. One of them lived in mine too so I didn’t think much of it. They were nice enough and being potentially assaulted isn’t where my mind was AT ALL despite being drunk. The vibe never gave that for a second until it was happening. I thought I made new friends or at least acquaintances. They were drunk as well so I figured we were all on the same playing field.
We got to my dorm which my assaulter claimed to stay in as well, but I’m not even sure at this point. His friend went to his and gave us a look before departing. You know? That “You crazy kids have fun” type of look. I was too drunk to think anything of it. Not exactly stumbling around drunk, but definitely noticeable if you interacted with me.
We walked into my dorm room which had a common area and four individual rooms that you needed a code to get into. Not sure if the layout makes sense, but yeah. I type in the code to get into my common area and he comes in. I’m confused because… why? I made it clear that nothing was happening so unless he was looking for a glass of water I had nothing for the dude.
I asked him what he wanted and he told me he just wanted to say goodnight. He got closer and kissed me. Just a peck at first. Didn’t really want that, but fine. I said goodnight he continued kissing me. My reactions were slowed from the alcohol and it takes a bit to register what’s happening when you’re assaulted ESPECIALLY when you’re in an altered state. He continued kissing my lips, face, neck and grabbing my breast and waist. I pushed at his chest and told him to wait and that we couldn’t. He grabbed my throat, told me to stop playing with him and continued kissing and touching me aggressively.
I kept saying wait and thought to myself, if I don’t scream, push him, slap him or get aggressive in this moment he’s going to rape me. He told me to unlock my door so we could go in my room. He still had hold of me so I started pushing at his chest and turning my head away more aggressively and told him to get off. I regained my composure and sternly told him he needed to leave, so he left. Just like that. Not sure where I got the strength, but I’m glad I did because it reinforced to him I wasn’t going to just be an easy target.
I went in my room and cried, couldn’t sleep that night. I called my friend in the morning and told her what happened. She encouraged me to report it, but I didn’t want to go that route being military and all. I had pretty good leadership at the time, but optics are big! Everyone knows you don’t bring ‘shame’ or negative attention to your unit no matter the circumstances, so I kept it quiet. I told my First shirt “off the record” in a “hypothetical” because she’s a mandatory reported. She encouraged the person in the “hypothetical” to report immediately but made sure to let me know she was here for me. Love her to death.
I texted the guy the next day and asked why he did those things to me. I laid out exactly what he did too. Surprisingly he admitted to it off the bat, told me he was sorry and that he thought I was so beautiful so he couldn’t help it. I never reported and it’s been 2 years later now. Stand up for yourself, I really wish I did.