Statement by USAF Lt. Col. (Ret.) Karen Johnson, NOW Vice President-Membership:

"I am saddened Lt. Flinn feels compelled to take a general discharge under honorable circumstances. The Air Force has acted unscrupulously throughout this case in an attempt to strip her of her bars and her dignity -- under the false pretense of maintaining military integrity, order and discipline.

"Gender bias undoubtedly is a factor in Lt. Flinn's case. All branches of the military selectively enforce its rules, particularly those related to adultery, sexual misconduct, lying and fraternization, despite Gen. Ronald Fogleman's claim to the contrary (New York Times, May 22, 1997). Lt. Flinn was singled out for extraordinary punishment for indiscretions that routinely have been punished nonjudicially with a fine or reprimand, if at all:

• A U.S. Army staff sergeant and private first class were discharged from the Army in Bamburg, Germany, in 1996 in lieu of court-martials for lying, adultery and having sex with a 12-year-old girl, the daughter of an Army sergeant. The girl became pregnant.
• 140 naval and marine aviators were disciplined for sexual misconduct, including indecent exposure, and for sexually assaulting 90 individuals. Fifty-one of the aviators were found to have lied during the investigation. The military selectively meted out only non-judicial punishments such as verbal and written reprimands and fines in this notorious incident known as "Tailhook."
• Last year at Minot Air Force Base, where Lt. Flinn is stationed, a lieutenant colonel was reprimanded and fined for having sexual relations with a subordinate in his direct line of command. Countless similar cases -- many involving senior officers -- exist throughout the military where administrative intervention is selected.
• So far in 1997, 12 cases of alleged sexual misconduct have been referred for prosecution in the Air Force. Five cases, or 42 percent, involve women, although women comprise only 16 percent of the Air Force. One case involves a female classmate of Lt. Flinn.