I was a male rape counselor for two years for a city in California. I am pro-women and have even wrote a book called PEARLS FOR GIRLS IN SEEKING CUPID Don't BE STUPID. I said all that to say this. The world is not ultra friendly in favor of women so that puts the responsibility on men to include them and their welfare along with our own. Therein lies the problem. Men, help themselves to women instead of helping them. Plain and simple. Women also play a role but not as portrayed like asking or wanting to be raped. NO. They fail to listen to their common sense and in some cases find it prudent to go along to survive. There is no formal training on what to do if raped in a state of peace. If they were drugged, its even worse. In civilian life, bringing a perpetrator to justice harms the victim more than the defendant. One trial I attended just smeared the woman who was drugged. I applaud them for surviving and then having to endure the aftermath both public and private. In the world of the military, if a commanding officer says to do or not do, then it is law. So how come rape exists? If I was a colonel, I would have everyone assembled and make this announcement. The first time I hear of any sex complaints involving any of you, I will end your life as you know it. This is your heads-up. After this, heads roll. Dismissed! Then, all officer and non-coms are to support that right down to where they all live and breath. The weeding out of the trouble-makers is commands responsibility. I will say this too because it has to be said. Please, no arguments either. The idea of women in the military may work if isolated and directed. This coming together is asking for trouble similar to letting to teen-age kids date alone. I stayed on Camp Lejeune base for a week. All I saw was walking talking testosterone "on" trained killers with nothing to do. If we had an enemy at the time, the Marines would kill them all just to release their pent-up training, egos, hormones and purposes. Barring that, there were fights, drinking and other things that free time with nothing to do brings about. Having women in this situation is not smart unless training, direction, instruction and correction is strictly enforced. If a military female was taken captive by enemy forces, history teaches that they are the spoils of war. The military itself sees it as a calculated risk of which I report with sadness. I'm sorry but it is true. Yet, I would fight to the death to prevent that happening or to effect a rescue because it is the right thing to do. If one of us was captured and tortured, then all of us suffer until it is corrected. The idea of preying on a someone who is on the same side is revolting. Thank you for this fine reporting of a most delicate subject matter. One very important last thing. Those that are in power, who can shake and move and make changes need to take clear and precise action. If this is going on during your watch, you are part of it. Yes, YOU ARE

'THE INVISIBLE WAR': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five) Heartbreaking documentary about sexual assault in the United States military and how it effects the soldiers involved (as well as their loved ones). It deals with ongoing unresolved cases and interviews victims of assault as well as military personnel, law makers, family members and others. The film was written and directed by filmmaker Kirby Dick (who also helmed the critically acclaimed 2006 documentary 'THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED' and many others). The movie is extremely hard to sit through and watch and that's how you know it's so effective.The film centers on a handful of sexual assault victims who are interviewed about their assault (or assaults in most cases) as well as joining the military, events leading up to the crime(s) and their troubles finding justice afterwards. It addresses many of the reasons why most victims can't find any sympathy or justice within the military system and argues that these cases should be handled outside their military units. Often the commanders investigating the cases are either friends with the suspect or the suspect being accused themselves. The film provides many shocking statistics and goes over the history of the problem in the military, which has been going on for multiple decades now. The filmmakers interview both female and male victims (which are frequently raped in the military as well).The documentary is one of those films that's hard to review and rate because it's not entertaining or inspiring in any way (as it very much shouldn't be). It's extremely painful to watch and it's definitely not a film I can say I liked or enjoyed. That's how I know it's a great film though. It's disturbing, informative and also very emotional. The testimony by the victims and their friends and family members is gut wrenching. Many of those being interviewed are often very open in their discussion of the subject matter and have a very hard time holding it together emotionally. The film feels very honest and genuine above all else. It's definitely a well made documentary as well as a very important and informative one. It's of course not one anyone will look forward to (or enjoy) watching but it's one that should be seen by most everyone, all the same.Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOMEqlGt6m4

Rape in the military is about as thorny and intractable a problem as deciding whether to go to mid-east war or not. The Invisible War solidly makes the argument that the military judicial process for rape is deeply flawed, if only because commanders are given the absolute right and power to determine how the accusations are handled.Think about it: the commander could be the assailant or a friend and can dismiss a case with little recourse for the aggrieved soldier. This documentary hammers home both statistically and in practice how frustrating the process can be, sometimes leading to suicide. A recent court decision that rape is an "occupational hazard" doesn't help anything.At the least, husbands and wives become tense or split; rarely is a marriage unaffected by the rape. For singles, the sympathy is not overwhelming, and without a support group, it is lonely out there to take on the chain of command. In a macho world where team attitude is high priority, rape allegations are not welcomed, especially if the rapist is the commanding officer.As I find in many documentaries, only one side is examined (Michael Moore being the leading exponent of the lopsided argument). In the case of The Invisible War, we are well served with victims who get no satisfaction, but we don't experience fully the case where the accused is found to have been wronged by the accuser. However, the doc does an effective job with the stories of women who accused but rarely gained a conviction.The percentage of adjudicated cases where the accused is found guilty is small. Given the thousands of allegations, that number seems too small. At any rate, after seeing this documentary, Secretary of Defense made a bold decision that confirms the efficacy of a well-made documentary.

The Invisible War not only us educates about the tragedy of rape in the military, about the cover-up of the crimes, but it educates us about the problem or rape in our society. The military commanders ignore and hide rapes and the statistics presented in the film of these crimes are important to note. I can't imagine anyone who actually saw this movie giving it less than an 8 ranking.The interview of the victims is heartbreaking, and the interviews of those involved in the cover-up are aggravating. These women, and men, who face sexual assault in the military need our full support and the military culture must change. The movie is a powerful indictment of the military and a tribute to the strength of the survivors and their families and allies.Peace, Tex Shelters