AIR FORCE MAJ GEN WILLIAM COOLEY RETIRES AFTER RECEIVING DEMOTION
Air Force Maj Gen William Cooley achieved a lot during his time serving in the U.S. Air Force (USAF), after climbing the ranks throughout a career that would span from 1988 on. But it's not exactly a happy ending to what should have been an illustrious career. Air Force Major General William Cooley is being demoted in an unprecedented turn of events. The actions come in response to Cooley's plan to retire while facing disciplinary actions for sexual abuse charges involving a family member. Related: A New Proposed Bill Aims To Help Veteran Sexual Assault Survivors
Air Force Maj Gen William Cooley Becoming a Colonel Following Sexual Abuse Scandal
Air Force Maj Gen William Cooley, who was convicted of abusive sexual contact, will retire as a Colonel instead of a Two-Star General, marking a rare instance of a two-rank demotion. The decision to demote Cooley came from Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall following Cooley’s conviction for forcibly kissing his sister-in-law. Cooley's retirement took effect on June 1, 2023. While the maximum sentence could have been severe, a military judge sentenced him to a lesser punishment, including forfeiture of pay and a letter of reprimand. The demotion will result in a significant reduction in Cooley's retirement pay compared to what he would have received as a Major General. Cooley had appealed his case to the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals. Facing the case involving the now ex-Air Force Maj Gen William Cooley, his sister-in-law has put the USAF in an unfamiliar situation, with the way it is being handled also falling under great scrutiny.
A Tarnished End to a Once-Esteemed Military Career
Cooley is the first Air Force General to face a military trial in the history of the branch. He was accused of sexually assaulting his sister-in-law in 2018. In the April 2022 court-martial, he was convicted on one count of abusive sexual contact for forcibly kissing her, but was found not guilty of two counts related to groping allegations. The case highlighted a shift in military culture and the hesitancy to hold high-ranking officers accountable. It's unclear what will happen with his appeal now that he's retiring, and his attorney has not provided a comment. Suggested read: 5 Star Generals Don’t Come Around Often, And Maybe That’s a Good Thing But even though Cooley was court-martialed, he did avoid jail time. Regardless of the demotion, he will still retire and receive a package of retirement benefits, though the value will be much less than it would have been had he retained his Two-Star General rank. A new era for the U.S. military is here but how this carries forward in the future remains to be seen. Whether or not enough was done to punish Cooley and whether financial ramifications were the right solution is up for debate in various circles.
How Does Air Force Maj Gen William Cooley Decision Affect the Future?
It’s unclear what will become of future rulings involving such issues as Cooley’s court-martial was the first of its kind for a General in the Air Force. But it’s also uncertain what the effects of this will be on an Air Force that's currently struggling to meet its numbers. Recruitment is not going well due to a host of theorized causes. It’s hard to get new Airmen to join a branch that is already notoriously difficult comparatively for various reasons. Public perception is huge for any entity these days and the USAF is far from an exception. Not to be lost in the midst of things is the fact that the U.S. Air Force is still a workplace, and in order to hire, it needs volunteers who are willing to subject themselves to military conditions. However, sexual misconduct has no place in any workplace, or anywhere at all. If the perception of what has been handed down to former Air Force Maj Gen William Cooley isn’t significant, the branch that has been having issues attracting new recruits while focusing on potential conflicts on multiple continents may just be adding to its already substantial problems. Read next: Rent a Hitman Parody Website at Center of Recent Military Scandal