Arrival of the F-35 Sowed Division, Hurt Morale in the Vermont National Guard
By MARK JOHNSON
August 25, 2021
When the National Guard Bureau released the damning results of its investigation into the Vermont Natural Guard two weeks ago, news coverage focused on how poorly the Vermont unit had handled allegations of sexual assault and harassment, and how a “good old boy” network allowed those problems to flourish.
Unfortunately, that’s only part of the story.
The outside investigators found broader problems in 2020 as they reviewed internal documents, conducted interviews with dozens of officials and surveyed 1,650 Guard members. Their report paints a picture of an organization in disarray.
That’s concerning because the Vermont National Guard does more than fly the controversial F-35 fighter jets. Guard members have provided crucial pandemic-related help with food distribution, construction of hospital overflows and contact tracing. The Guard played a pivotal role after Tropical Storm Irene. Its internal health matters for Vermont.