After a sexual assault scandal at the Tailhook convention rocked the Navy in 1991, one female officer, Paula Coughlin, launched a campaign to change military culture.

She Rocked the Pentagon

Producer: Karen M. Sughrue
Editor: Kristen Nutile
Reporter: Olivia Katrandjian

Tailhook. It was called the worst case of sexual harassment in the U.S. Navy’s history and led to promises of culture change. But almost three decades later, how much has really changed?

To answer that, we look at what really happened at the 35th Annual Tailhook convention, where investigators later determined that 83 women and 7 men had been sexually assaulted. With interviews with some of those involved – like former Navy lieutenant Paula Coughlin, who stepped into the national spotlight when she said she had been sexually assaulted at Tailhook – the story provides new context for sexual assault in the military today.

View full episodes at PBS.org/RetroReport.

Transcript Archived Versions Archive Credits

More on the Story

In the military, trusted officers have become alleged assailants in sex crimes The Washington Post
In historic decision, Pentagon chief opens all jobs in combat units to women The Washington Post
First Two Women to Graduate Friday from Army Ranger School Military.com
Pentagon accused of withholding information about sex crimes The Associate Press
Revisiting the Tailhook Sexual Assault Scandal The Takeaway
Related Coverage
Revisiting the Military’s Tailhook Scandal The New York Times
Retro Report: The Legacy of Tailhook The Huffington Post