Crimes by and Against Deployed U.S. Military Personnel

• In Event: International Security: Militaries Beyond the Battlefield Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

The United States' military forces deployed abroad often play a public diplomacy role when interacting with local populations. While positive interactions can help bolster support for the US military abroad, negative ones can also increase opposition to US bases and deployments. A focal point of dissatisfaction against the United States are the crimes that U.S. military personnel commit while stationed abroad. Those crimes range from minor to serious, and we examine how prominent examples of criminal activity by U.S. servicemembers affect attitudes towards the US military. Using new data on crimes that were reported by the media, we use geospatial distance to analyze how reported crimes influence perspectives at the regional and national levels. This evidence will demonstrate exactly how negative interactions can alter narratives about U.S. military forces and change attitudes in specific geographic locations. We then use both the statistical evidence and case study material to outline ways in which these types of negative encounters can be minimized, along with how the U.S. military can mitigate the fallout to the general basing relationship.

Authors

• Carla Martinez Machain, Kansas State University

• Michael E. Flynn, Kansas State University

• Michael A. Allen, Boise State University

• Andrew Stravers, University of Texas, Austin