What is Military Sexual Trauma?

Military Sexual Trauma is sexual assault or repeated sexual harassment experienced during military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs defines MST as any sexual activity against a service member’s will during duty hours or off duty.

Does the VA provide disability benefits for MST?

Yes. Veterans who experience Military Sexual Trauma can file a VA disability claim. The VA accepts nontraditional evidence and supports MST-related PTSD, depression, and anxiety claims.

How does Rachelle Smith help MST survivors?

Rachelle Smith provides the VA Disability Toolkit and the Contact Your Lawmaker Toolkit to support Military Sexual Trauma survivors navigating the VA and Congress. She leads The Advocates of MST, a private Facebook support group, publishes guided journals for trauma recovery, licenses the Event Journals program, speaks publicly on MST and institutional failure, and is launching The War Room for coordinated survivor advocacy.

Can I file a VA claim for Military Sexual Trauma?

Yes. You can submit a VA claim for MST without direct documentation if you provide credible supporting evidence. This includes personal statements, medical records, or witness letters.

Where can I get help filing an MST claim?

Use the free VA Disability Toolkit. It helps survivors document trauma, track VA responses, and organize every detail for a stronger claim.

Rachelle Smith 9/20/25 Rachelle Smith 9/20/25

Military Sexual Trauma and Sexual Harassment: Julie | The Silenced Voices of MST with Rachelle Smith

Former Air Force officer Julie shares her experience of sexual harassment, reporting, and resilience on The Silenced Voices of MST with Rachelle Smith.

Julie, a former U.S. Air Force officer, shares her story of Military Sexual Trauma, the harassment she endured, and the gaslighting that followed when she tried to report.

Thumbnail for The Silenced Voices of MST with Rachelle Smith featuring Julie, former Air Force officer, discussing Military Sexual Trauma and sexual harassment. — Julie, former Air Force officer, speaks about Military Sexual Trauma, sexual harassment, and the failures of the reporting process on *The Silenced Voices of MST with Rachelle Smith*.

Intro

In this episode of The Silenced Voices of MST, former Air Force officer Julie shares her experience of persistent sexual harassment during her military career and the challenges of speaking out against it. She recounts how inappropriate advances from older men became a pattern both in uniform and afterward as a civilian. One particular incident, occurring during pre-deployment training on the way to Afghanistan, escalated from unwanted touching at dinner to repeated harassment at multiple bars. Despite her initial reluctance to report, Julie recognized that her harasser was about to assume a leadership position overseeing hundreds of Airmen. She made the difficult decision to file a complaint to protect those under his authority.

Episode Summary

Her report set off a painful and disorienting process. Instead of support, she was assigned a Guard Jag who repeatedly pressured her to change her story. Even with witnesses corroborating her account and evidence of prior complaints against the perpetrator, Julie was treated as if she were lying. The investigation dragged on, and she endured months of gaslighting from officials who minimized her experience and questioned her integrity. She describes the psychological toll of this process, compounded by the stress of deployment to Afghanistan, where she faced a toxic command environment and constant anxiety.

Julie’s account highlights the structural failures that allow harassment and abuse to persist unchecked. She shares how her trust was eroded by leaders who ignored red flags and excused predatory behavior as long as the offender was “good at his job.” Despite this betrayal, she also points out the commanders and peers who did support her, and the Victim Advocate who ultimately helped shift her case toward accountability.

Her story extends beyond the incident itself into the lasting effects of trauma. She discusses how the experience left her with hypervigilance, difficulty trusting men, and ongoing struggles with dating. Therapy at the Stephen A. Cohen Military Family Clinic provided tools for managing anxiety, and writing became a vital outlet that led to publishing two books. She also describes how music, particularly Taylor Swift’s, gave her strength to keep fighting during the lowest points of her case.

Julie reflects on systemic change, noting her support for President Biden’s executive order that removed commanders from deciding sexual harassment cases. She acknowledges her frustration with false reporting, which undermines survivors’ credibility, but emphasizes the importance of stronger protections and unbiased processes. Her voice underscores how policy reform must be paired with cultural change if survivors are to find safety and justice.

Julie’s story is ultimately one of resilience. She turned her experience into advocacy, sharing her lessons with others considering military service and urging them to carefully weigh the personal costs. Her journey reminds listeners that even when silenced, survivors can carve out paths of truth, healing, and empowerment.

“I was made to feel like proving my integrity mattered more than proving he did something wrong.”
- Julie

Pinterest image for The Silenced Voices of MST with Rachelle Smith featuring Julie, former Air Force officer, discussing Military Sexual Trauma, sexual harassment, reporting failures, and healing — Julie, a former Air Force officer, shares her experience of Military Sexual Trauma and sexual harassment, the gaslighting she endured when reporting, and how therapy and writing supported her recovery. Listen now.

Julie’s experience exposes the deep cracks in the military justice system, where investigations often focus more on discrediting survivors than holding perpetrators accountable. Her account makes clear how cultural rot and leadership failures sustain an environment where harassment thrives. Yet her decision to step forward was not only about her own dignity, it was about preventing future Airmen from being placed in the hands of a known predator. That choice embodies both courage and sacrifice.

Her story is also a reminder of the long shadow trauma casts. Even years after separation, the impact lingers in dating, trust, and daily interactions. But Julie’s resilience shines through her advocacy, her writing, and her willingness to keep speaking truth to power. For survivors listening, her message is both validation and hope. Even in the face of disbelief and institutional betrayal, healing is possible and change is worth fighting for.

Episode Trigger Warnings and Timestamps

08:00–09:12: Sexual harassment at a bar, unwanted touching, physical grabbing
09:13–12:40: Escalation of harassment, footsie, unwanted contact, inappropriate touching in public
12:41–13:50: Following behavior, waiting outside bathroom, intimidation
13:51–15:15: Reporting process, fear of reprisal, decision to come forward
15:16–19:29: Gaslighting by lawyer and investigators, repeated questioning, emotional distress
19:30–21:00: Anxiety, PTSD diagnosis, impact on daily life
29:42–30:37: Difficulty trusting men, ongoing effects on dating and relationships

Resources from this Episodes

If you’re currently working through the VA Disability claims process, download our free toolkit that helps you get the rating you deserve: Get access now

Julie's Books: The Myth of Adulting: Everyone's Just Winging It: https://a.co/d/3xVOEHw
Letters from Future Me: https://a.co/d/8UBQWFM
The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic - https://www.endeavors.org/cohen-clinic-san-antonio/
Anxiety Guys - https://anxietyguys.com/

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Next Episode

Our host, Rachelle Smith, speaks with Taylor, an Air Force dependent that shares the shock of trying to call Security Forces to report her assault, only to have her assailant answer the phone.

Support and Community

Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press
DoD Safe Helpline: https://www.sapr.mil/dod-safe-helpline
Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadvocatesofmst
VA Disability Toolkit: https://www.silencedvoicesmst.com/disability-toolkit
Contact Your Lawmaker Toolkit: https://www.silencedvoicesmst.com/contact-your-lawmaker-toolkit

About the Guest

Julie, a former Air Force officer, shares her experience of Military Sexual Trauma and sexual harassment, the gaslighting she endured when reporting, and how therapy and writing supported her recovery.

Internal Links

Rachelle Smith 5/6/25 Rachelle Smith 5/6/25