An Act of Betrayal: The Rape of 1st LT Jennifer Dyer

On August 8th 1st LT Jennifer Dyer was attacked and raped and has stated it was 1st LT Michael Hall of the 278th Regimental Combat Team at Camp Shelby , MS . This is where LT Dyer along with her unit, the 250th Signal Battalion, N.J. National Guard had been sent for pre-Iraq deployment training.

Jennifer could be your daughter; your sister; your fiancée; your wife; your neighbor. A degree in Political Science, working for a career in law enforcement and serving her country in uniform, she is without a doubt, the “all-American girl” so to speak. All of that has been turned up-side down because of an animal posing as a man, 1st LT Michael Hall, stands accused of her rape. Jennifer is as much a casualty of war as anyone can be—only she was “wounded” by what was supposed to be one of her own, someone wearing the same uniform.

After reporting the rape the Army took Jennifer to a civilian Hospital emergency room for treatment, after which she was held in seclusion by the Army for three days. During this time military CID agent Eric Barreras informed Jennifer of her Miranda rights and then proceeded to threaten her with criminal prosecution for filing a false report. Further victimize the victim, that’s the Army way. And this nation has the audacity to talk about the “rule of law.”

The Army took her to the Hospital and now the Hospital is billing her for the charges as the Army has refused to pay the bill according to Jennifer in a previous conversation. Additionally, the Army told Jennifer she was to take a lie detector test which she agreed to readily. When Michael Hall refused to take the same lie detector test, the Army told Jennifer her test would not be necessary, but, I’m getting ahead of myself.

It wasn’t until Jennifer’s fiancée, Edward, who is a New Jersey police officer, arrived at Camp Shelby on August 13th and took her off base was she finally able to get some semblance of counseling and additionally medical treatment. The Army had given her none and had not set any appointments for her even with the base medical people. And it’s a good thing Edward did get her some additional medical care—it turns out that her accused rapist, Michael Hall, is Herpes Type 2 positive, and unfortunately, now, too, is Jennifer.

Under pressure, the Army gave Jennifer two weeks leave to go home and “get over it.” In a phone conversation with Edward a couple of weeks ago, he told me how when Jennifer called Camp Shelby to request an extension of her leave, so she would be able to continue with the counseling and medical treatment she is now receiving, Lt Col. Powell, the base psychiatrist, she told Jennifer that “two weeks was a generous amount of time for leave” and that “it was enough time for the victim of such a crime to be recovered and returned to duty.”

Right now Jennifer is listed AWOL. Her attorney, Fredrick Klepp, klepplaw@aol.com, is being stonewalled by the Army about Jennifer. The Army has demanded Jennifer return to Camp Shelby , the place where she was not only raped but where her accused rapist, Michael Hall, is still running around as if nothing ever happened. There is something terribly wrong with this picture!

Everyone involved with her care all say the same thing, it would be an un-mitigated disaster for her to have to return to Camp Shelby . A compassionate transfer request by Jennifer was denied by the command of the 278th Regimental Combat Team, to which Jennifer is still attached. Anyone in their right mind and with just a modicum of compassion would understand that a transfer out of the 278th is warranted.

She should not be in this position in the first place as she had resigned her commission in October of 2003. But due to a failure on the Army’s part, her paperwork had not been completely processed and she was called back to active status in March of 2004.

What compounds this situation Jennifer now finds herself confronted with is the “Feres Doctrine” which VERPA—the Veterans Equal Rights Protection Advocacy, Inc.—has been fighting for over ten years. This has turned all military personnel into second class citizens as it prevents those in uniform, and veterans, from bringing action against the military for harm done—you may find detailed information on the Feres Doctrine at VERPA’s web site http://www.verpa.org/

According to Byron Holcomb, an Oregon attorney, it was his case “Buckmiller v. U.S. ” “in 1983 that first brought to the attention of the public the problem of rape in the military. The Army relied on [the] Feres [Doctrine] saying that rape was one of those incidents of military service. Until congress repeals Feres and particularly this abomination, rape will continue to be a significant problem of our military.” He goes on to say, “this will change when congress changes the laws and every congressman should be made aware of this.” I am in total agreement with Mr. Holcomb on this.

In the meantime we need to give our support to this young woman, we must become the “cavalry to the rescue.” We can help her by making calls and sending letters—actually as many as needed for as long as needed. What has happened to Jennifer is an outrage, what the Army is now doing to her is a complete act of betrayal. Something is terribly wrong when citizens have to try and force the military to treat a victim of a crime, rape, with the respect, compassion, and just treatment she deserves.

When considering this, ask yourself this, what if this were your wife, your sister, your fiancée, your daughter—what would you do to help her, to protect her, and then take it from there.

Below are some of the numbers that should be called. If and when calling be sure to be as polite and courteous as possible, but be firm in expressing your opinion at the treatment Jennifer is receiving. This is an opportunity to truly support the troops by rallying to Jennifer.

Also, as this is on-going, there will be updates made public on a continuous basis until this is resolved. I would start with Capt Price that is who Mr. Klepp has talked with to no avail. Col. Powell’s number is listed also. At the end of the list of names and numbers, is Jennifer’s statement about what happened and this whole sorry chain of events.


Capt Price, Staff Judge Advocate Office

Camp Shelby , MS

601-467-1990


I gathered as many numbers as I could. If I am able to get any more, I will send them to you.

Thanks for your time and efforts, I hope this is helpful.

· Jen



278th Regimental Command:

Regimental Commander:

Colonel Adams
(Unable to get a direct extension, but can be contacted via administrative staff)

(601)558-4196

Regimental Executive Officer:

Lieutenant Colonel Honeycutt

(601)588-2782


278th Regimental Headquarters Headquarters Company:

Company Commander:

Captain Ray

(601)558-4501


Camp Shelby Medical Facility:
Psychiatrist:

Colonel Sara Powell

(601)467-1107

(601)558-2547


Medical Deployment Officer:

Major Sullivan

(601)297-4229


Senator John H. Adler, Democrat
District Office: 1916 Route 70 East, Suite 3 , Cherry Hill , NJ 08003 (856)-489-3442


And here is a listing of New Jersey newspapers if you would care to write or call them as well.



The Star Ledger

1 Star Ledger Plaza

Newark , N.J. 07102

1-888-782-7533

This is the paper of record in New Jersey



The Courier Post

301 Cuthbert Boulevard

Cherry Hill , N.J. 08002

(856)663-6000



The Burlington County Times

4284 North U.S. Highway 130

Willingboro , N.J. 08046

(609) 871-8000



The Gloucester County Times

309 South Broad Street

Woodbury , N.J. 08096

(856) 845-3300



Philadelphia Inquirer

53 Haddonfield Road

Cherry Hill , N.J. 08002

(856) 779-3840

New Jersey Office



The Press of Atlantic City

11 Devins Lane

Pleasantvill , N.J. 08232

(609) 292-4935

My name is Jennifer Dyer, and I am a 1st Lieutenant in the 250th Signal Battalion of the New Jersey Army National Guard. I am currently on mobilization orders and attached to the 278th Regimental Combat Team in Camp Shelby , Mississippi in preparation for deployment to Iraq .

In October of 2003, I had resigned my commission with the National Guard to further my career in law enforcement. However, in March of 2004, I received notification from the military that my resignation was not fully processed by my unit and that I needed to return to duty for deployment. The validity of this recall was highly questionable and I requested a Congressional inquiry through the office of Congressman Frank LoBiondo. Despite the promise of my unit and Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Loretta Thomas, to proceed with my resignation and separation, I was placed on mobilization orders and relocated to Camp Shelby , MS for training. The Congressional inquiry has yet to be successful in even receiving a valid response from the New Jersey Army National Guard in reference to my situation. Due to the lack of response and cooperation from the military in this matter, I had resolved to perform my duties with the military with little hope that a resolution would be reached prior to my deployment overseas.

My recent situation has become much more grave and cannot be ignored nor brushed aside as my initial complaint had been. On August 8, 2004 , a fellow Lieutenant at Camp Shelby sexually assaulted me. I immediately reported the incident and received emergency room treatment. Following my discharge from the hospital, I was secluded in a motel room on Camp Shelby where I was unable to make or receive phone calls for approximately two days. During this time, I endured an approximately 5 hour interview conducted by CID Agent Eric Barreras (334-763-0684). I was then told that I was not to speak about the incident to anyone until the investigation was complete. I was not told how long the investigation would last. I was able to secure my cellular phone on August 10th when I received a phone call from my fiancé who told me at that time that he had been notified of the details of the assault by the investigating authorities.

I spent the next two and a half days secluded in my room with no follow-up care or means of communication other than my personal cellular phone which receives spotty, at best, reception at Camp Shelby . I was not contacted by any medical or counseling services during this time. On August 12th, I was again contacted by Agent Barreras who read to me my Miranda rights before he proceeded to threaten me with charges of making a false police report. He berated me for approximately three hours as to whether or not my report was factual. I was made to feel as if I should have never reported the incident at all and that I was the offending party as opposed to the victim in this case.

Following this interview, I discovered, through unofficial channels, that the offender had a history of genital herpes. Extremely distraught and with no support to turn to, I then immediately proceeded to the Troop Medical Clinic on Camp Shelby to inquire about STD / pregnancy testing and treatment. I spoke with Lieutenant Colonel Powell (601-467-1107), the post psychiatrist. She stated that I would have to wait two weeks for a follow-up medical exam and inquired as to the progress of my counseling. When I informed her that no counseling had been scheduled by the hospital, only then did she provide me with an appointment to attend the local civilian operated counseling center in Hattiesburg , MS (601-264-7777).

On August 13th, my fiancé arrived at Camp Shelby and immediately took me to the local counseling session as well as assisted in arranging a medical exam through a civilian health provider, the Women’s Health Center in Hattiesburg , MS (601-544-4550), since the military was unwilling to promptly assist me in this matter. The blood test taken at this facility confirmed the presence of Herpes Type 2.

With the assistance of the 278th RCT chaplain, Major Cruz (601-467-2016), and the recommendation from Lt Colonel Powell, I was granted “at least two weeks” convalescent leave to begin on August 16th, but told that if I wanted to return home to my family for this time, that I would have to pay for the airline ticket. This leave was approved by Lieutenant Colonel Waddle, the Deputy Executive Officer of the 278th Regiment, and granted by Captain Ray (601-558-4513), 278th Regimental Headquarters Troop Commander with the stipulation that I telephonically check in every day.

I returned to New Jersey on the night of August 16th and was contacted on the afternoon of the 17th by a Camp Shelby medical official, Major Sullivan (601-297-4229), who began to question why I was not already in counseling in New Jersey and inquired as to “what took me so long” to begin the counseling. That afternoon, I had contacted the Atlantic County Women’s Center (609-646-6767) and was told that the earliest appointment available was on Monday, August 23rd. I had also contacted my local medical physician, Dr. Gewirtz (609-625-1600) and was able to receive an appointment for the 23rd. I attended the counseling and the doctor’s appointment. I am scheduled for a necessary medical follow-up for lab work and possible immediate treatment and was told to call again to schedule another appointment for counseling. I did so and was scheduled for the next available counseling session to be held on the following Monday, August 30 and the next available medical visit for Wednesday, September 1st. I explained to the doctor that my leave was scheduled to expire prior to that and he stated that it was only logical to extend the leave time and or transfer me to a local duty station or be discharged so that I may receive continued and appropriate care. He also annotated in my medical file the importance of continued emotional counseling.

I have since requested an extension of my convalescent leave to accommodate the scheduled treatment and inquired as to the possibility of a transfer from the unit and location in which the assault occurred. Both of these requests have been vehemently denied and I have been ordered to report to Camp Shelby for duty no later than Monday, August 30, 2004 . When contacted in reference to the need for an extension and my emotional and mental inability to return to the scene of the crime at this time, I was told by Lt. Colonel Powell that two weeks was a generous amount of time for leave and that it is enough time for a victim of such a crime to be recovered and returned to duty. She stated that within 2-6 weeks, I would be fine and that she could not extend my leave beyond the two weeks. I then made it very clear that I would not be able to perform my duties in my current condition and inquired as to the possibility of a separation from the military. Lt. Colonel Powell then told me that my situation did not warrant a separation and that I needed to contact Major Sullivan in reference to my status for deployment.

Upon contacting Major Sullivan, I was told that I had no options other than to return to duty at Camp Shelby and that they had no flexibility in this matter. She stated that she is a medical doctor and that I am fine. She also told me that if I did not return to Camp Shelby by Monday, she would have the Military Police arrest me and place me in prison. She then referred me to my Commander and stated that any further decisions would have to be made by the command. I then contacted the Regimental Headquarters Troop Commander, Captain Ray who stated that he was only able to follow the recommendations of Lt. Colonel Powell and that he did not have the authority to extend my leave.

Following my conversation with Captain Ray, I received a phone call back from Major Sullivan who continued to address me in a very rude and uncaring manner and told me that if I did not accept the order to return to duty as usual at Camp Shelby that she could have me committed to the mental health hospital in Fort Gordon, Georgia. I felt that this was an unacceptable response from a doctor toward someone who is a rape victim and I told Major Sullivan that I felt it inappropriate that she insinuates that I need inpatient psychiatric care. At that time, Major Sullivan hung up on me and did not contact me again.

Later that same evening, I received a phone call from another Lieutenant Colonel who stated that he was the 3rd Squadron Commander and was filling in for the Regimental commander in his absence. He stated that he had been asked by the chaplain to call me. He then proceeded to tell me that there was to be no flexibility on the part of the command in reference to an extension of my leave time and that it was time that I “face my fear” and return to Camp Shelby . He continued to remind me that if I did not return to duty by August 30, that I would be carried as AWOL and that I would be prosecuted and possibly imprisoned. I again told him of my fear of returning to such an environment and the devastation that I felt about being forced to perform my duties in a location where I had been assaulted. He told me my only option was to return to duty.

On August 27, 2004 , I contacted the office of Senator Frank Lautenburg for assistance in this matter. His office contacted the National Guard Bureau, who stated that it was not their responsibility to deal with the matter and that any inquiries should be referred to the Department of the Army. It is my understanding that the Department of the Army referred his office back to the New Jersey Army National Guard. I have since contacted Major Brown (601-558-2190) from the Judge Advocates Office at Camp Shelby , MS who stated that he referred my situation to the 278th Regimental JAG office and that they would be in contact with Lt. Colonel Waddle in an attempt to at least extend my leave time to avoid being listed as AWOL. I have not yet received a response.

The Atlantic County Women’s Counseling Service has attempted to contact Maj. Sullivan in an attempt to lawfully resolve my continued needs but the negative response received from them prompted the counselor to advise me to seek outside legal assistance.

I am contacting you, requesting any assistance that you may be able to provide in this matter. I am currently receiving the medical and emotional care that is necessary for me to resume my life and return to a fully functional status without the nightmares, flashbacks and fears that I face on a daily basis. I have a very loving and supportive family that has made it possible for me to begin to pull my life back together. However, the military has made this struggle nothing short of horrifying. I initially received no medical or emotional support from them and continue on a daily basis to experience the cold and callous treatment of a group of individuals who care more about the number of boots that they can deploy than the best interests of the human beings that are affected.

I have been nothing but completely cooperative with the military in all matters for the past 8 years of my life, to include all that was required of me over the past three weeks, and I have recently been met with complete resistance and an unprecedented lack of caring and understanding. This experience has made me an emotional wreck and I shudder to think of what further damage the military is capable of inflicting upon me. Please assist me in regaining control of my life, emotions and sanity. I fear that a return to the military environment at this time will be the virtual end of my life. It will do nothing but crush what little progress and peace of mind I have been able to develop over the past two weeks. This whole situation holds the door open for the military to continue abusing me as they cold-heartedly disregard my status as a victim.

I do not think that my requests are excessive considering the current situation that the US Army has exposed me to. I would prefer to be discharged from the military so that I can attempt to salvage my life separated from an environment that I am now terrified by. If this is not acceptable to military authorities, I am prepared to finish my active duty status within the State of New Jersey where I can receive the treatment and support of people that I feel comfortable with, in an environment that does not make me relive the horror of this tragic event. I am fearful that any other option forced upon me is tantamount to a psychological death sentence. I did not ask to be raped. Why am I being treated this way?

Respectfully and desperately pleading for help,


Contact Jennifer and Ed at eottepka@comcast.net
Contact her attorney, Fredrick Klepp,at klepplaw@aol.com
Contact Jack Dalton at Jack_Dalton@ommp.org