Soldier Who Spurred Sex Probe to Leave Army

BALTIMORE — A soldier who went public with her allegations that a drill sergeant at Aberdeen Proving Ground sexually harassed her and threatened to kill her if she told is leaving the Army, a base spokeswoman said late Friday.

The woman’s claims sparked an investigation last November into the worst military sex scandal since Tailhook.

Jessica Bleckley, 18, was granted an honorable discharge for hardship reasons and will leave Monday, said Rachel McDonald, the spokeswoman.

Bleckley was probably headed back to her home in South Carolina, McDonald said.

Since Bleckley’s allegations, four instructors at the post north of Baltimore have been charged with sexual crimes including rape, sexual harassment and adultery involving more than a dozen female recruits.

Staff Sgt. Delmar Simpson, who is being held in a military stockade in Quantico, Va., faces the most serious charges. He is charged with raping 10 women in 1995 and 1996.

In the latest development, an instructor was charged this week with adultery and sodomy involving two female trainees and one female civilian.

Bleckley said her trouble started in May, after she rejected the advances of a married drill instructor. He threatened to kill her if she revealed the advances, she said.

About nine other higher-ranking soldiers, mostly drill sergeants, also made unwanted advances toward her, Bleckley said.

McDonald said the Army did not resist Bleckley’s request for the discharge.

“Our goal since these allegations came to light is to care for the soldiers,” McDonald said. “When she requested her discharge the Army felt it was an effective way to care for her.”