Dear Senator Murray:

We respectfully ask that you call for immediate hearings by the appropriate Senate committees into the disappearance and death of U.S. Army Private First Class (PFC) Vanessa Guillen.  She went missing while on base at Ft. Hood, Texas on 22 April.  Major General Scott Efflandt, Commanding General at Ft. Hood, announced on Monday, 6 July 2020, that remains found last week buried near Ft. Hood belonged to PFC Guillen.  The Army is currently investigating this case.

The Army’s investigation is not enough.  Congressional hearings must be held to conduct a more thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the disappearance and murder of this young female soldier.  The Congress should look into the Army’s actions – or lack thereof – over the two and a-half months that PFC Guillen was missing and determine at what point the Army’s commitment to protect its soldiers was broken.  Based on Congressional findings, appropriate members of PFC Guillen’s chain of command should be held accountable.  The Army cannot have a policy of Force Protection for soldiers in combat but not have a corresponding practice of protecting soldiers in a peacetime setting.

We believe that congressional hearings will show that the U.S. Army failed PFC Vanessa Guillen.  She had made claims of sexual harassment to both family and other soldiers. Her chain of command should have been more attentive and should have taken appropriate measures to protect her. At a minimum, her Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), her Lieutenant, and her company commander – who are charged with fully knowing their soldiers - should have known that she was at risk. Why was she alone at her work station with no supervisor present?

The Army must look deep into itself and implement additional changes and reforms into how it protects soldiers, especially female soldiers.  It needs to develop a plan and make it known to the nation if it hopes to attract female recruits in the future.

The Congress can help by enacting legislation to protect women in the military.

Finally, we need justice for Vanessa and her family.  Full congressional hearings can help provide justice and bring some closure along with a commitment that this tragedy will not happen again.

We thank you for your consideration of our request and look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Colonel (Ret.) Felix Vargas

Chair

Consejo Latino