Counterargument

Here's my thesis: In order to find a viable solution to the epidemic of sexual assault, the US military must allow those cases to be prosecuted in civilian court. France and Germany's approach to military discipline, which aims to treat its service members the same as civilians, is a positive example that the US military could follow.

And counterargument: New legislation has been put in place that gives the victim an opportunity to appeal decisions made in military court that they don't agree with. Also new specialized committees on sexual assault have been formed to investigate crimes, and special counsel provided to the victims.

Response to counterargument: While it is true that the new legislation put into effect by congress is a step in the right direction, it does nothing to prevent the retaliation that most victims are sure to face when coming forward. And although it requires that commanding officers "provide a climate amenable to reporting sexual assault" they have not put actual requirements in place to insure this. Commanding officers are still the sole decision makers in whether there will be further investigation of an allegation, so the victim might not even get a chance to make an appeal because it does not even make it to court.