As was previously alluded to, this is not the first time that servicemen who oversee the military’s nuclear weapons have been accused of using drugs and engaging in other inappropriate behavior. When former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel visited an Air Force base a couple years back, he learned that not only were launch officers suspected of using drugs but also cheating on proficiency exams:
“Security forces at nuclear missile bases are entrusted to patrol the missile fields and respond to any security emergencies. Just last month, Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work visited F.E. Warren and observed a demonstration by security forces of the techniques and equipment they would use to recapture a Minuteman 3 missile silo that had been taken over by intruders.
Two years ago, while then-Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel was visiting F.E. Warren, officials disclosed that a number of launch officers, known as missileers, were under investigation for drug use. That led to the discovery that dozens of missileers had been cheating on their proficiency tests at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, which also operates Minuteman 3 missiles. The 2014 drug investigations led to the dismissal from the Air Force last year of three missileers at Malmstrom who pleaded guilty to illegal use, possession or distribution of ecstasy.
Shortly after he learned of those drug allegations Hagel ordered a broad investigation of problems inside the Air Force nuclear missile corps, which had been extensively documented by The Associated Press starting in May 2013. At the time, he said, ‘Personnel failures within this force threaten to jeopardize the trust the American people have placed in us to keep our nuclear weapons safe and secure.’
The Hagel-ordered review led to numerous changes, including providing billions more in resources to the nuclear missile corps and elevating the rank of the commander of Global Strike Command, which is responsible for the Minuteman 3 force, from three-star to four-star. Rand is the first four-star to hold the job.”
Source: The Big Story AP
Not surprised by this one