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'''Benjamin F. Strickland II''', is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Commander (CDR) and whistleblower advocate who alleged unlawful retaliation from his Coast Guard Pacific Area chain-of-command and Obama administration Department of Homeland Security officials in violation of the Military Whistleblower Protection Act.

'''Benjamin F. Strickland II''', is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Commander (CDR) who specializes in national security and marine operations activities.

 

==Early life and education==

==Early life and education==

==Whistleblowing Activity==  

==Whistleblowing Activity==  

On May 23, 2013 CDR Strickland was serving as Acting Commanding Officer onboard USCGC Munro (WHEC-724) homeported in Kodiak, Alaska when he made an unrestricted reported regarding a sexual assault alleged to have been committed upon a MUNRO crewmember. CDR Strickland reported the sexual assault allegations immediately to his immediate superior in Command, then-VADM Paul Zukunft and requested an investigation by the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), participated as a witness in the investigations which stemmed from his report, and later expressed his belief of waste, abuse of authority and gross mismanagement by CGIS and senior Coast Guard management officials. After his whistleblowing activity and complaint that CGIS was abusing it's authority and not properly investigating the sexual assault, CDR Strickland became the target of the very investigations which stemmed from his report and was subsequently subjected to multiple acts of retaliation. CDR Strickland was removed from his primary duties, received a derogatory Officer Evaluation Report (OER), and placed in a billet not commensurate with his paygrade as a senior officer. CDR Strickland subsequently filed a whistleblower retaliation complaint with the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (OIG) which was accepted for investigation. His has a case pending adjudication by the Board for Correction of Military Records to have the retaliation taken against him removed from his Coast Guard personnel record.<ref>[http://www.militarycorruption.com/benstrickland.htm COAST GUARD WHISTLEBLOWER RETALIATED AGAINST AFTER REPORTING SEXUAL ASSAULT]</ref> <ref> [{{cite web|url=http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/2015/02/27/coast-guard-sexual-assault-cgis-investigation-firing/23166307/|title=Sacked cutter XO says he was target of endless inquest|work=Navy Times|accessdate=15 July 2015}}] </ref>

On May 23, 2013 CDR Strickland was serving as Acting Commanding Officer onboard USCGC Munro (WHEC-724) homeported in Kodiak, Alaska when he made an unrestricted reported regarding a sexual assault alleged to have been committed upon a MUNRO crewmember. CDR Strickland reported the sexual assault allegations immediately to his immediate superior in Command, then-VADM Paul Zukunft and requested an investigation by the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), participated as a witness in the investigations which stemmed from his report, and later expressed his belief of waste, abuse of authority and gross mismanagement by CGIS and senior Coast Guard management officials. After his whistleblowing activity and complaint that CGIS was abusing it's authority and not properly investigating the sexual assault, CDR Strickland became the target of the very investigations which stemmed from his report and was subsequently subjected to multiple acts of retaliation. CDR Strickland was removed from his primary duties, received a derogatory Officer Evaluation Report (OER), and placed in a billet not commensurate with his paygrade as a senior officer. CDR Strickland subsequently filed a whistleblower retaliation complaint with the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (OIG) which was accepted for investigation. He has a case pending adjudication by the Board for Correction of Military Records to have the retaliation taken against him removed from his Coast Guard personnel record.<ref>[http://www.militarycorruption.com/benstrickland.htm COAST GUARD WHISTLEBLOWER RETALIATED AGAINST AFTER REPORTING SEXUAL ASSAULT]</ref> <ref> [{{cite web|url=http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/2015/02/27/coast-guard-sexual-assault-cgis-investigation-firing/23166307/|title=Sacked cutter XO says he was target of endless inquest|work=Navy Times|accessdate=15 July 2015}}] </ref>

==Military awards==

==Military awards==