[F]our candidates seeking to be the next leader of the Vermont National Guard touted their credentials before a group of lawmakers on Tuesday, with all promising reforms that would help women gain more leadership roles and face fewer cases of sexual harassment or assault.
Retired Col. Rosanne Greco, who entered the race for Vermont adjutant general only hours earlier, took the strongest stand. She told lawmakers they should call for an outside independent investigation of alleged sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse by Guard leadership and allegations of a whisteblower who was retaliated against.
Two other candidates, Col. Greg Knight and retired Brig. Gen. David Baczewski, acknowledged mistreatment of women in the Guard and promised reforms. Knight focused on the ripple effect that the maltreatment women has had on recruitment and retention. The fourth candidate, Lt. Col. David Graham, largely spent his allotted half hour listing his credentials.
The four candidates appeared before a joint meeting of the House and Senate committees that oversee military affairs. On Feb. 21, all 180 lawmakers are scheduled to vote on a replacement for the current adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Steven Cray, who announced his retirement after VTDigger reported on the allegations of misconduct. Cray, who was in the post for six years, says his retirement was planned months before. Approximately 50 people attended the afternoon hearing, about half of them lawmakers.
The candidates addressed many of the issues raised in a seven-part VTDigger series, “The Flying Fraternity,” which detailed cases of abuse and harassment of women in the Guard, as well as problems with recruitment and retention. None of the candidates disputed the findings.
All four candidates appeared in military dress uniforms.
Baczewski promised to appoint a gender equality adviser, work with the Vermont Commission on Women and come up with a plan to advance gender equality. Sexism and gender inequality were the “root causes of all of our issues,” he said.
“I accept that,” he said. “I offer change. We have to improve. In order to change the culture, we have to take action,” sometimes bold action, Baczewski emphasized. “Public trust is the moral footing of all that we do.”
Knight vowed to meet with every woman in the Guard to help create a stronger environment of “dignity and respect.”
“One transgression is one too many,” he said.
Knight also proposed appointing a provost marshal to assist in investigating matters such as those raised recently in media reports.
The only candidate from the Army side, Knight said recruitment and retention had been a major problem and that the Vermont Guard has 450 vacancies to fill.
“We’ve had a lack of focus for the last six years,” Knight said. He called for a “whole Vermont” approach, with state colleges and guidance counselors highlighting the benefits of joining the Guard. He also said the adjutant general needs to be more visible.
Knight made no mention to lawmakers that he had been endorsed by former Adjutant General Martha Rainville, the first female adjutant general in the country who is well-respected in the Statehouse.
Graham also pointed to recruitment and retention problems and said he would largely rely on surveys to get insight into many of the Guard’s challenges.
Greco said she “couldn’t stay silent” and stepped forward to run after reading about the treatment of women in the Guard.
“It’s not rocket science, and I’ve done rocket science,” she said. “There are ways to transform an organization that don’t have to rebuild the wheel but it starts at the top, that sets the tone.”
Greco, an activist who opposes the basing of the F-35 at the airport in South Burlington, maintained that Department of Defense documents show the new fighter jets would have the capability to carry nuclear weapons.
The F-35 would be “unequivocally having a nuclear role” and that, Greco said, topped her concerns about community safety, noise, lower property values and other issues. She has served as chair of the South Burlington City Council.
Among those in attendance to hear the candidates was F-35 booster, Frank Cioffi of the Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation.
Asked about someone whose traits they respect, Baczewski choked up talking about one of his high-profile supporters, former Adjutant General Michael Dubie. Baczewski, a former wing commander, told how Dubie secured a CT scan machine for a hospital in Macedonia, which shares a military relationship with Vermont.
Baczewski said Dubie had helped make him a better father, husband and leader.
“What touched me the most was his service to his fellow men and women outside the uniform,” Baczewski said.
Each candidate was given 30 minutes to give a statement and answer questions.
Rep. Tom Stevens, D-Waterbury, chair of House General, Housing and Military Affairs, asked questions on behalf of other lawmakers. Stevens acknowledged the selection process, with candidates pitching lawmakers, was sometimes awkward. Vermont is the only state that leaves the selection process up to the Legislature.
Stevens focused on the case of whistleblower Lt. Col. Jeff Rector, who was retaliated against after reporting misdeeds by Guard members and leaders.
Afterward the meeting, Sen. Anthony Pollina, P/D-Washington, said he was considering abstaining for the Feb. 21 vote because it was unreasonable to expect lawmakers “to spend a few minutes with the candidates and then be expected to pick one for a job we don’t know a whole heck of a lot about.”
