The hearing follows a series of sexual assault scandals and recent data from the Pentagon indicating a significant increase in unwanted sexual contact within the military. The top military officials, including the heads of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard, as well as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee to address the issue. They emphasized their commitment to addressing the problem and General Martin Dempsey stated that they are taking swift action to change a complacent culture. While some lawmakers, like Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, advocate for removing prosecution of sex crimes from the victim's chain of command, others, like General Raymond Odierno, argue that maintaining the power of commanders is crucial for unit cohesion. Despite criticism of the military's handling of past cases, including instances where commanders showed leniency to offenders, there is still debate over the need for radical change in the system. Senator John McCain expressed his frustration over the continued reports of sexual misconduct in the military, emphasizing that action is needed rather than just talk. Senator Carl Levin, however, showed understanding of military concerns about preserving the authority of the chain of command. Levin stated that only the chain of command has the power to implement a zero-tolerance policy for sexual offenses and address any issues within the command climate that may contribute to or allow sexual assaults to occur.