FORT DRUM — Shock and outrage swept through upstate New York on Thursday after 47 soldiers from the 10th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) were arrested on assault charges during a unit-wide alcohol abuse prevention stand-down.

With the unit schedule to depart for Afghanistan soon, Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Rich Barry conducted the most important pre-deployment training soldiers can receive: Substance abuse and sexual assault prevention training.

"At first the soldiers seem to really be enjoying the briefing," said Marley Hammersmythe, a women's studies professor from University of California-Berkeley. "I was showing them various screen-shots of horrific DUI related deaths and injuries and every time I asked if they'd seen enough, the soldiers would demand to see more. I guess they were really serious about understanding my message."

"Then it all went crazy," the distraught woman added, still visibly shaken by the memory.

"I just ... just wanted them to understand how ridiculous the maso…

Duffel Blog

47 Arrested After Alcohol Abuse Skit Goes…

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