WASHINGTON Military leaders said Tuesday that sexual assault in the ranks is “like a cancer” that could destroy the force, but they expressed serious concerns about far-reaching congressional efforts to strip commanders of some authority in meting out justice.

In an unusual joint appearance, Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the head of each branch of the military testified on what is widely viewed as an epidemic of sexual assault plaguing the services.

“The risks inherent to military service must never include sexual assault,” said Army Gen. Martin Dempsey. “We can and must do more to protect victims.”

Outraged by high-profile cases and overwhelming statistics, lawmakers have moved aggressively on legislation to address the scourge of sexual assault.

“This is a problem for the military, they’re like 20 years behind. …You cannot train your way out of this problem. These are predators who will strike again and again. This has to be a focus of successful prosecution, not ‘let’s see if this will go away cause it might make my unit look bad’,” Sen. Claire McCaskill said on CBS’ “This Morning” Tuesday.

“We’ve got to take away their [commanding officers] ability to overturn jury verdicts, that’s absolutely inappropriate,” added McCaskill.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., challenged the military leaders, telling them not all commanders are objective, with some who don’t even want women in their ranks and some who fail to understand the serious of some offenses.

“Not every single commander can distinguish between a slap on the ass and a rape,” Gillibrand said.

Gillibrand has proposed legislation that would remove commanders from the process of deciding whether serious crimes, including sexual misconduct cases, go to trial. That judgment would rest with seasoned trial counsels who have prosecutorial experience and hold the rank of colonel or above.

Her legislation, which has 18 cosponsors including four Republicans, also would take away a commander’s authority to convene a court-martial. That responsibility would be given to new and separate offices outside the victim’s chain of command.

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