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Former Army Spc. Amber Davila during her time in the service. Photo provided
Apr 05, 2021
When Amber Davila joined the Army in 2011, she planned to stay in for the full 20 - or until retirement. The San Antonio native, then 26 years old, took pride in her communications security job. It made her feel like part of a team and a greater good. I used to joke that I was going to eventually become the first female Command Sergeant Major of the Army, she said. The goal was to shoot for the stars and hopefully end up on the moon.
That all changed when a fellow soldier sexually assaulted Davila in Korea in 2012. During a night out with members of her squad, Davila became intoxicated and disoriented. A noncommissioned officer in her platoon threw her over his shoulder, telling onlookers that he would get her safely back to the barracks.
Listen • 3:54
Amber Davila left the Army after she was sexually assaulted by a fellow soldier. A new study found sexual assault doubles the odds that a service member will leave the military within 28 months.
The RAND Corporation study concluded that the cost of sexual assault and harassment extends beyond the victims. It s also causing troops to leave the service, hurting military readiness.
When Amber Davila joined the Army in 2011, she planned to stay in for the full 20 - or until retirement. The San Antonio native, then 26 years old, took pride in her communications security job. It made her feel like part of a team and a greater good.