Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel Names New Director of DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office

Press Release

The Department of Defense announced today that Maj. Gen. Jeffrey J. Snow will become the new director of the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office in January 2014. The current director, Maj. Gen. Gary S. Patton, plans to retire next spring after serving for nearly 35 years in the U.S. Army.

"Throughout his long and successful Army career, Maj. Gen. Patton has demonstrated total commitment to mission accomplishment, the readiness of the force and the welfare of his troops," said Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. "He has a history of tackling tough assignments and I want to thank him for the transparency, energy, persistence and strong leadership he has brought to the department's sexual assault prevention and response program over these past 18 months. I met with him every week and always have counted on his expertise. Maj. Gen. Patton has made a lasting positive impact on our program and on the men and women of our military. I look forward to working with Maj. Gen. Snow and I know he is the right choice to continue this vitally important work."

During his 18-month tenure as SAPRO director, Maj. Gen. Patton revitalized and oversaw all aspects of the DoD strategic prevention and response plan, enhancing prevention, assessment, investigative, legal support, and victim care programs. He also led the development and ongoing implementation of 16 initiatives designed to strengthen the SAPR program, increase accountability, and improve victim advocacy and support. Additionally, he established standardized SAPR training programs tailored for leaders and service members, and oversaw the creation of an independent certification program, resulting in more than 25,000 military response coordinators and victim advocates certified over the past year. A fact sheet detailing these extensive transformation initiatives is available at http://sapr.mil/public/docs/news/20131201_DoD_SAPR_Program_Foundation_and_Initiatives.pdf.

"It is has been my great honor and privilege to have served our nation for nearly 35 years in peace and in combat," said Maj. Gen. Patton, who has served 45 months in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. "In my position as SAPRO director I am heartened by signs of progress in combatting sexual assault, and have been impressed by the unwavering support and selfless service of the thousands of military members and government civilians who advance our prevention and response programs each and every day."

Maj. Gen. Snow comes to the position with 30 years of dedicated service, to include command at various levels and multiple combat tours in Iraq. He is currently the Army's director of Strategy, Plans and Policy. He was competitively selected for this position from a field of multi-service nominees.

"The DoD has made great progress in implementing important policies during Secretary Hagel's tenure designed to improve victim confidence and reform the military's approach to sexual assault prevention and response," said Maj. Gen. Snow. "I will strive to sustain these efforts and keep our program moving forward."

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