Room 222: Weekend of Hell Part 1

Send us a text

The darkest corners of military culture come to light in this gut-wrenching account of systematic sexual violence and institutional betrayal. Barbara's journey begins with hope as she embarks on training to become an air traffic controller in 1987. Her enthusiasm quickly turns to terror when she unwittingly walks into room 222 at a Best Western near her Tennessee base.

What Barbara thought was an Indy 500 celebration party was actually a meticulously orchestrated trap. Military officers, military police, and enlisted men subjected her to unimaginable torture over an entire weekend. They operated with calculated precision, taking turns according to rank hierarchy, photographing their crimes, and repeatedly threatening her with the harsh reality that no one would believe her word against theirs. The message was clear: they had power, she had none.

The most chilling aspect of Barbara's story isn't just the initial assault, but how the abuse continued afterward through official channels. Her own commanders forced her to apologize to one of her attackers and arranged "scheduled appointments" for continued assaults disguised as "instruction." When she sought help, she was met with victim-blaming from peers who accused her of "setting women back in the Navy." Meanwhile, the recent murder of another female recruit who had reported sexual assault served as a powerful deterrent against speaking out.

This is merely part one of Barbara's testimony, revealing how military hierarchy can be weaponized against the vulnerable while protecting predators. Her courage in sharing this story shines light on a system that allowed such atrocities to occur unchecked, claiming multiple lives through suicide. Subscribe to hear the continuation of Barbara's journey and join us in breaking the silence around military sexual trauma.

Support the show