A former U.S. Army cavalry scout who was previously convicted at a general court-martial in Germany for multiple domestic violence offenses is now facing a second general court-martial following an attempted escape from military confinement.
According to court-martial docket records, Pvt. (E-1) Zachary L. Harader was tried on January 12, 2026, at Fort Leavenworth after pleading guilty to attempted escape from confinement and conspiracy to escape from post-trial confinement, in violation of Articles 80 and 81 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The case was heard by a military judge sitting alone under the 4th Judicial Circuit.
Public recruiting materials from the Army Recruiting Station in Claremore, Oklahoma, show that Harader enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2019 under an 11X Infantry Option 40 contract, which provides eligibility to attend Airborne School and attempt the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP). At the time of enlistment, the recruiting post indicated he was scheduled to ship to One Station Unit Training in July 2019 and qualified for education benefits and an enlistment bonus associated with his contract.
Harader did not ultimately serve in an infantry Ranger assignment. By the time of the misconduct that led to his original court-martial, he was serving as a Specialist (E-4) assigned to K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Germany.
Original Court-Martial in Germany
Harader’s initial conviction occurred on April 16, 2024, at a general court-martial convened by the 7th Army Training Command in Vilseck, Germany. He pleaded guilty to two specifications of domestic violence under Article 128b, UCMJ, involving assaults against his spouse in February 2022.
According to court records, the offenses included an assault by strangulation and a separate aggravated assault that resulted in substantial bodily harm. The court found that the injuries caused a temporary but significant impairment to the victim’s health.
Additional allegations were addressed during the plea process. Several other specifications were withdrawn and dismissed after sentencing pursuant to the terms of a negotiated plea agreement.
Editor’s note: This article omits certain graphic details contained in court-martial records. Readers seeking additional context and documentation may find expanded coverage at TheSaltySoldierUncensored.com.
The military judge sentenced Harader to 33 months of confinement and a bad-conduct discharge. No portion of the sentence was suspended, and the convening authority did not modify the punishment.
Attempted Escape From Confinement
While serving his sentence, Harader was later charged with new offenses related to an attempted escape from post-trial confinement. Court-martial docket entries indicate the government alleged both an attempt to escape custody and a conspiracy involving other individuals.
Harader is scheduled to be tried on January 12, 2026, at Fort Leavenworth, where he has elected trial by military judge alone. The proceeding is being conducted under the authority of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center. Public records indicate he is expected to enter guilty pleas to both specifications.
Sentencing details related to the escape-related offenses have not yet been released publicly.
Attempted escape and conspiracy to escape confinement are treated as separate criminal offenses under the UCMJ and may result in additional confinement beyond an existing sentence. Such offenses are considered serious within the military justice system due to their implications for good order and discipline.
Harader remains in military custody pending final disposition of the escape-related case and any remaining appellate review associated with his earlier conviction.
The Salty Soldier will continue to follow the case and report when official sentencing or appellate documents become available.
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