Fort Hood military post in Texas in the USA has seen a large number of homicides and allegations of sexual misconduct in the last couple of years.

There is a public outcry over it. The USA Army and authorities said that they are investigating the matter. Though no culprit has yet been booked, they announced that they have sacked the post’s top commander, Maj. Gen Scott Efflandt. Additionally, his promotion has been withheld.

Fort Hood military post and the sacking of its top commander

Amidst the multiple homicides and sexual misconduct incidents at Fort Hood military post in Texas in the USA, the US Army took a positive step this week.

They announced on Tuesday 1 September 2020 that they have removed the top commander at the post, Maj. Gen Scott Efflandt. The detailed probe is still on now.

The army officials further revealed that Maj. Gen Scott Efflandt was to take a new charge at Fort Bliss which is located near El Paso, Texas. But they have denied him that post as well.

It is further stated that Maj. Gen Scott Efflandt has asked for a transfer to another post. But he has been told to stay put in Fort Hood near Killeen and be the serving deputy commanding general for support.

More about the new orders of the army

The Army has issued a written statement related to this new order. They said that the Major would currently only assist in the reintegration of III Corps who are returning from their mission of supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. Operation Inherent Resolve is the name the military uses for its fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

The Army also said that from Wednesday 2 September 2020, Maj. Gen. John B. Richardson IV will formally take up the duties as deputy commanding general for operations of III Corps and acting senior commander of Fort Hood.

They said:

“This previously scheduled change in leadership will enable continuity of command as III Corps returns from its role leading the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve,”

The sacked top commander of the post and his lapses

The Army and other agencies had repeatedly probed the now-sacked top commander for his role in the missing and death of 20-year-old Spc. Vanessa Guillen at Fort Hood. They noted that there was a lack of transparency involving the investigation that the sacked top commander had carried out related to this and other disappearances of soldiers at Fort Hood.

Vanessa went missing on 22 April 2020. And it was only three months later that her dismembered body was found near the Leon River in Bell County. Her family was unhappy with the way Maj. Gen. Scott had handled the matter and investigation.

There was an accusation of sexual harassment at the workplace. After this angle came to light, several soldiers at the post came forward to share their similar stories.

Elder Fernandes, 23 also shared his story of sexual misconduct. But he was just transferred to another post. He later went missing and his dead body was found after a week hanging from a tree in Temple. Many other soldiers had died off-post in recent months. A five-member civilian group is also independently looking into this matter.