Former JBLM battalion commander pleads not guilty in court-martial to charges including sexual harassment
A former artillery battalion commander at Joint Base Lewis-McChord pleaded not guilty at a court-martial hearing Thursday to charges of sexual harassment, dereliction of duty, hazing subordinates and conduct unbecoming an officer, according to Army officials. Lt. Col. Herman Bernard West III, 42, was removed Nov. 20 from command of the 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Field Artillery Brigade at the joint Army-Air Force installation north of Tacoma, Wash. At the time, the Army gave no reason other than the standard statement that West had lost the confidence of his superiors in his ability to command.
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