Partial Truths…Prejudiced Lies
So yesterday I get to go to this Newcomers Brief and listen to a couple speeches by the higher ups giving us the general mission statement of our unit. I don’t mind these things at all, you actually learn some cool stuff and it gives you the interaction you need to learn to recognize the higher ups in case you don’t see them too often. But the fun part was when it got to the Equal Opportunity portion of the class.
As the EO rep is up front he used a couple examples of “bad people” and I seemed to score pretty high up there. I was one of the two examples used to show just how real EO violations are on Fort Bragg. I can totally understand the reasoning behind this move and I don’t care at all if you use me as an example. Hell, I wouldn’t want someone getting caught up in the mess I did. So there’s no problem with using my foolishness as a lesson. What I have a problem with is just how bad he made it sound. He put me out to be one sick individual and pointed out my faults to the extreme. And to top it off, made an untrue statement about me. That’s my issue. In his using my “jokes” as an example, he put words in my mouth that made my crime look just that much worse.
When in actuality I had never used the words “kill a hadji” in my convictions,, somehow that was one of my crimes. Again I state, I have no issue whatsoever with you using my example to teach a lesson, but to make false accusations….that’s just harsh.
Sorry dude. Most higher ups could probably care less about privates. All they’re interested is in advancing their careers.
Sounds like a genuine ass-hat! He obviously isn’t a good EO rep if he is making things up. Maybe he is an narcissistic-i wish were a better NCO-stuck in this lame EO job-maybe I can’t hack jumping out of planes-here at division type of guy?
Hmm, stranger things have happened.
And for the record. As an NCO in this mans Army, you did not do anything wrong. Someone had an agenda. They made an example out of you. From what you’ve written and talking with your brother I’d lead you into combat and trust you with my 6 anyday! Remember that!!
Yeah, I’d trust you to watch my 6, too, SF. If it ever came to that. Could this be another “breaking” ploy? If not, he’s a real jerk and someone who should be laughed at and ignored for the most part. We know you’re not a bad guy, and we’re the ones that matter, right? Deep breath. Laugh it off. Move on.
Thanks AS. You know I’d follow. Yer the man.
Well. Being that I don’t really know him, I can’t say anything about him as a person. The only thing that bugged me was the false statement. That just wasn’t cool. And I didn’t lose any sleep over it. It got under my skin for a bit there, but like most things just fell out over time.
I aint got nuthin against him for the job he chose either. I’ve seen just how the EO program works and I’ve seen why it needs to be there. I may not agree with the punishment I got but I took it to maintain the integrity of the system. Sure I could have taken it to court and made a huge deal out of it, but would it have been so necessary to make such a huge deal out of a self described joke? I didn’t think it was. I don’t think this quote really applies here but I say “let sleeping dogs lie”.
From the ignorance that I have seen come forth from this soldier I would not take this troop into combat. Being a combat Infantry veteran of 2 wars with more KIAs then I would care to remember, I see this soldier as a disgrace to the troops that have really lost their lives while facing the enemy. Sure Fire have you even been deployed into a combat zone to fight the enemy. I would like to hear your story of hand to hand combat with a Iraqi soldier that is attempting to stab you with his knife. You let me know troop when you face something in the ball park, until then keep your mouth shut when it pertains to thinggs you have no clue of. PRIVATE!!!!
Hey bud sounds like a bunch of whining to me. Look you screwed up and yes you are going to be made a example of maybe not you in particular but your actions. And maybe he did’nt quote you exactly but i’m sure he was trying to get his point across to the whole. You need to keep in mind that other military members read this if it did’nt bug you then why the hell get on here and whine about it suck it up you screwed up and move on from it or else maybe subject yourself to further punishment because you can’t keep your trap shut. If you are man enough leave this post on here so others can see what some other people other than your little circle of trust think of you and your actions if not take it off and keep whining about it.
Dude! Who the crap are you to judge?! You have no freakin right! This is SF’s blog, not yours. It’s his place to vent his own opinions, feelings, and thoughts. So back the heck off! If it bothered him, then WE want to hear about it, as we ARE his “little circle of trust”. We are his friends. And we care. If you don’t, then don’t bother commenting. In fact, don’t even bother reading. I have no doubt that he’s “man enough” to leave your little comment. But are you man enough to comment again?
As far as your first comment just approved, obviously you’re not too great at doing research. If you had bothered to actually READ what was previously posted you might understand that SF not only was deployed in Korea for a year but is scheduled for deployment to Iraq. If you don’t have faith in our dear friend’s ability as a soldier, GET OVER IT! I sincerely hope his integrity as a soldier is never compromised, as yours appears to be. Is it not a soldier’s job to build up his or her fellow soldiers? As a “veteran of 2 wars”, you should, by all reasoning, deserve the respect owed to a soldier of this great nation. But are you sure you fought in two wars for the right reasons? To defend this country you call your own? For rights you won’t even afford to a fellow soldier?! Freedom of speech. Hmm… doesn’t that ring a bell from something called the “1st Amendment”? Maybe I’m wrong… But I don’t think so. Why, pray tell, is he such a disgrace? Because he displays attributes so often lacking in men of this world in that he has organized thoughts and knows how to express them without causing offense? Maaaaybe. Or maybe it’s because you see his “whining” as something that lowers his status as a man and soldier. Well, I think SF said it best when he stated, “my taking my punishment is pretty much qualified as “sucking it up”. I’m pretty sure I reserve the right to talk about it.” And you’ll find that most of us here at PTB agree wholeheartedly. And, just out of curiosity, what exactly are “thinggs you have no clue of” of which SF was speaking? Perhaps a little clarification is in order…
big deal so he was in korea for a year that is not a deployment that is a assignment. And yes so he is pending to deploy to Iraq not there yet. Oh yeah there is a thing called the 1st amendment but guess what in the military things are a little different. For one talking about being offensive well guess what that is exactly what your little buddy did when he posted that other crap he had on this site which my wife so happened to read and was very offended. So now am I offending if so how does it feel? That’s exactly what your little friend did. I am entitled to my opinion just like you are and guess what I am expressing it to your friend. There are somethings that are different in the military you can’t just go on your little blog site and blab your mouth about, being that it is on the world wide web that oh yeah terroist would probably love to get ahold of to use as propoganda think about that one for a sec Surefire. Hey I am all about freedom of speech but I also know being in the military you do make sacrifices that civilians will never understand and some of those sacrifices have to deal with that very freedom in order to maintain and protect this great nation we can’t go blabbing our mouth on the world wide web when it comes to certain things.
Due to the fact that this new database has a pretty small history for someone to read up on my short tour of the military, I’m going to excuse those comments about my lack of experience in going “hand to hand” with an Iraqi soldier who is trying to stab me. I don’t know…but I’m pretty sure that those statements are what’s considered…ignorance.
Hmm. Yes, Korea was an assignment of sorts. That was my point. No combat experince yet… Well, I never said you were offending, now did I? However, don’t get defensive. “I am entitled to my opinion just like you are and guess what I am expressing it to your friend.” True. But nobody’s disputing that. What I’m really struggling with is, “oh yeah terroist would probably love to get ahold of to use as propoganda.” If I’m not mistaken, they hate us anyway. What could they use this to prove? If you’re going to take something this harmless and twist it to fit your ideas, you can take anything anyone posts and do the exact same thing. So big whoop. But please, enlighten us “civilians” on what it is exactly that we can’t understand. Because as far as I can see, there’s really nothing that is inappropriate in his post. So he expressed an opinion about an EO rep embellishing on an admitted mistake. Ok. So what? In all seriousness, I’m curious as to where exactly you’re coming from on this. And so I ask, can you explain yourself? What do you feel is so inappropriate? Do you think he somehow disrespected an officer? Please, I’m asking for clarification in earnest.
By the way, I have answers to most of these questions already in my head, so you probably won’t be supplying new ideas, but I really want to hear what you have in mind when you say things like you included in the statement above.
Joe,
Come over to my blog. You are a ungrateful maggot who deserves a good ol’ boy a$$ kicking. If you and your wife are offended, then don’t tune to this blog. You think you are teaching SF a lesson by your rant? No you are actually making him a stronger person.
So try and ring up some stuff about me in my land?
Joe - you whiney puke. If you don’t like SF’s usage of the “first ammendment” then kick rocks and cry elsewhere. Same goes for your wife.
I dont think there is a issue with the soldier stating his opinion. There is an issue when the soldier’s comments reflect poorly on the US Army and his unit. The soldier can make himself look like an idiot all he wants, but leave comments about his unit and the Army out of it. Many have died for the frredom that we all have today. MPs are the most deployed and dedicated troops in the Army. Once again I do not think there is anything wrong for speaking your mind, but do not bring discredit to your unit. Also dont give the anti-military people fire power to use against the troops. Korea is not a deployment. That is a shame assignment and anyone in the Army knows that. Good luck on your deployment to Iraq. I know your leaders will work hard to bring you back. Work hard for them. I know where you are going to be and the roads you will be traveling are littered with IEDs. Have fun see you next Dec….maybe
Ok. A quick review. Last September, SF posted a brief post in remembrance of 9/11. In that post, he inadvisedly used the words ‘hadji’ and ‘dirty muslim’. Since that post, he has been punished…..berated, humiliated, given an Article 15, threatened with dishonorable discharge, given many extra hours of ‘community service’ after each work day and now used as an example by an EO officer as a ‘bad soldier’. His offense was grossly exaggerated, his punishment extremely overdone, and his character and integrity were maligned in a terribly unfair way. How much more punishment does the military want to dish out? Must he suffer continual harassment from fellow soldiers? No wonder the military is not meeting its recruitment goals!
“I dont think there is a issue with the soldier stating his opinion. There is an issue when the soldier’s comments reflect poorly on the US Army and his unit. The soldier can make himself look like an idiot all he wants, but leave comments about his unit and the Army out of it. Many have died for the frredom that we all have today.”
Well as a Senior NCO in the USAF.. I say to that comment.. Bravo Sierra.
You can not have free speach while limiting it.
You expect one to say something on a PRIVATELY OWNED website but leave the Army and Unit out of it? That is limitation on what a person can say. Hence in my eyes.. illegal. The difference is that that SF had his on a websight where anyone can see it.
Please do not give me the line about giving up rights if you volunteer in the military.. because in a sense its not true. Plus if you remember the oath of enlistment.. your obligated to the defense of the country and the Consitition.
Waving Patriotnism to say that a person is limited in the exercise of the first Admendment to the US Consitutiion trivalizes the whole concept of people getting killed defending that right.
As far as the “shame” assignment.. I fail to understand that comment. The army sends soldiers to the ROK for the purpose set by NCA.. Its not a deployment.. but a Assignment is a Assignment. You go where the powers to be send you where your needed. Good, Bad, Indifferent.
I wish SF and anyone else going into the SWA area the best of luck..
So joe is really Senior NCO?
Joe, I don’t think you understand what the first ammendment really is, maybe you should go look it up.
OK…let’s try to keep this somewhat civilized. To add that “maybe” on the end of your last comment, Joe…you might as well have just said what you’re really feeling. Cuz it obviously was hinting towards something else. I’m not trying to egg you on, so let’s just keep the ill will in the bag please.
I don’t recall anywhere, in this post, my saying anything bad about the Army. I stated that one person’s comments about me were somewhat tainted….thus only directing it towards one person…not the entire Army. I think the Army is fantastic! If it wasn’t for the Army, I wouldn’t have done as near as many things as I can now claim to have accomplished. The Army has brought me places, and pushed me to limits I didn’t think I’d be able to handle. I love it. I don’t have anything bad to say about the Army.
And I never claimed to be battle hardened…I could send you a copy of my entire database and you would never find a claim as such. Korea was nowhere on my choice of assignments and I have stated as such. But I don’t recall anyone in my few years in the service calling Korea a “shame assignment”. Some of the greatest people I know in the military are anything but a “shame”. It seems that you lack a certain amount of respect for those who are currently stationed there…as if they are below par. I have never thought Korea was a “shame” assignment. I may not have enjoyed certain aspects of the tour, but never thought that only the shamed are sent there…..besides…..I had Airborne school in my contract before they told me I was going to Korea….which must mean that fresh paratroopers are “shame”ful. Please explain this to me cuz I have always been proud of my jump wings, and if what you say is true…..I want my money back.
Oh and just to try to ease the mood here, I apologize if you find my thoughts offensive. They were never meant to be. I merely state things I observe and have never intended to make the Army look bad. I have never bad mouthed the Army. If anyone has the idea that I hate the Army, please don’t misunderstand me. I love the Army and all that it has offered me. I’m only documenting thoughts I have experienced along the way.
I had a typo. I did not mean shame as in you are a shame of a soldier. But as in an assignment to Korea is not hard. SHAM is what i meant. I have been to korea a couple times and know how it really is. And to the sneior NCO in the USAF. Can you sue the military while in the military. Answer is no. You must be discharged and become a civilian before taking legal action. Just pointing out an instance where we as soldiers give up certain rights. I’m not sure how long you have been in the military but if you have done any research into you regulations you will see many instances where the reg states you can’t do this or do that. And in following the regs you realize that we as soldiers lose some of our basic rights. Not sure how you guys do it in the AF but that is how it is in the Army.
And once again no one is saying that you can not speak your thoughts on this site. But do not put ************** company out there and there would never have been an issue. No one would have ever tracked it to you. And you would not have every eye on you. I am just trying to give you some helpful info to ease your problems. You can take or leave it.
I totally take that advice to heart and have realized that that alone was my largest mistake and have regretted it sooooo much. A classic case of foot in mouth disease for which I have paid for. I couldn’t even give you a good reason as to why I did…at least not a good one. I got too comfortable where I was and stepped out of bounds and got my foot shot off….then it landed in my mouth and here I stand…that much more humble. I have no intention of repeating that mistake and have even pondered jsut wiping the slate totally clean and start anew…but then I have the readers to think about. It’s pretty much about them really…i could easily do this elsewhere and get more venting space by being tottaly anon, but all my accustomed readers would miss out.
Sorry this got so long…
As someone who has never been military, the only comment here that I found fault with was “Have fun see you next Dec…maybe”. That comment makes the writer look low, petty, and downright threatening. He also comes across as quite the team player and motivator, doesn’t he? sarcasm/off As for SF, yep you made a mistake in the past but I KNOW that some of my family members did too while they served as have thousands of others. I never read where you slammed the Army or your unit as a whole so maybe Joe needs to read your post again.
I have to agree with the other senior nco that has spoke on here. You do give up part of your rights when you join the military i have been in almost 19 years and have made a couple of mistakes in my time. But let me tell you something surefire to keep complaining about something that your EO rep brought up in a brief will only draw more attention to yourself. I firmly believe this Senior Non com had the best intentions and maybe did’nt quote you exactly for reasons. Did he mention your name? or what unit you were in anything to identify you? single you out if he did then yes I would say he was out of line. But if not look your a Private and privates have rights no one says they don’t but you are a young soldier who has learned a lesson move on from it don’t take it personal. I bet that a fellow NCO was stating that he was trying to get his point across to the whole. But I will tell you from lessoned learned by me as a private you can’t go taking on the powers to be and in a way taunting them. And some more advice for you I would’nt mention anything that happens in your unit period just not good business to be airing that dirty laundry outside for the world to read just keep that stuff to yourself. If it really bothers you what your EO rep said why don’t you go talk to him. I sure he would talk to you. And American soldier if you read this you should take that same advice I’m curious to your rank. You both could find yourselves in a world of hurt when it comes to disrespect and yes you can do that on here If your going to talk all big american soldier and keep hiding behind your blog because let me tell you if your one of my soldiers I would have to be having a little talk with you. Surefire I wish you the best of luck but do yourself a favor when it comes to things that go on in your unit keep quiet about it talk about how your are feeling all you want but do not discredit your unit. Take care
Anyone who regularly reads SF’s blob can attest to the fact that he has NEVER discredited his unit or the Army in any way. His so-called ‘whining’ has always been tongue-in-cheek with most of the fun being poked at himself! I’ll say again that most of this brouhaha has been a MAJOR OVER-REACTION on the part of some members of the military. He’s admitted his wrong, taken his punishment and I’m sure, like the rest of us, would live to MOVE ON! Let’s do that, shall we?
82nd,
I have never had a problem voicing my concern to another NCO, in any forum. I am responding to what SF said. You should not use privates as example, especially in front of his peers. There is rule that you cannot publicly humiliate someone now in the Army right? If this EO rep used SF’s name or even just his blog, that is inadvertently putting him on display. Now senior NCO, if you were made an example in a demeaning way, you’d have someone ‘toe to line’. But because it was a private, it’s ok right?
You have a valid point with suggesting that he not say anything about what is happening inside his unit. However, his blog is under scrutiny and therefore he is aware that whatever he writes is subject to monitoring.
If you don’t like my comments then you can take your own advice and don’t comment on it. If you desire to continue with it, deal with it and tell me where you think I am coming up short.
Call it ‘hiding behind my blog’ but don’t negate my blog as a hiding hole. It has done nothing but open up doors for family’s to come to and read about actual military life, the good, the bad, the ugly. My site has been a part of some great things for soldiers i.e. Project Valour-IT, Soldier’s Angels’, etc, etc. My blog doesn’t violate any OPSEC nor does it put down the Army.
If you have a problem with how I respond to certain things then I feel for you. If you want to have a one on one discussion you can email me directly. As far as my rank, I am to a senior NCO.
mysoldierlife@gmail.com
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This is what I want here….experience. I have never, intentionaly, turned away advice from anyone that has had more military experience than me. I thrive on that stuff. Being lower enlisted that’s really one of the greatest trainers we get is hearing from the higher ranks about things they have gone thorugh and how to avoid certain pot holes. Being a milblogger, I’m pretty much on the pioneer path in that not very many people in that past have gone through some of this stuff. So I humbly take every piece of advice that you offer, 82nd. And I thank you for taking the time to give me sound advice. I’m taking every bit of it to heart and have gotten another rule I can toss up in my blogging ROE. I’m aiming to get this thing straight to where it is more of a useful instrument than a liability. I obviously have alot to learn and I’m picking up some great tips along my rough path.
Thanks again for your input, I really do appreciate every bit I get.
So Miriam wants a new post….ok ok I’m workin on it. Sheesh, such impatience.
Good American soldier since you are a Senior non-com maybe you can understand theres more side to a story than taking what someone says for face value on a blog site. And yes we were all privates at some point but over my years I have heard pvt to Senior nco’s blow things way out of whack. If your a Senior NCO then you have maybe done some communication drills and just relaying a simple phrase from one to the other through like 8 people and see how the story changes. I for one support the EO program we need it without a doubt I have seen way to much ignorance since I have been in to say otherwise and that goes up and down the chain from the lowest private to generals. If you have’nt followed the headlines there was a 4 star general relieved just recently by the chief of staff. And again I see know problem with this EO rep using this kids case as examples as long as he did not use his name unit etc. Look when you open your mouth or cross the line on these blog sites and get punished for it you will be made an example either directly or inderectly how else would we ever have teaching tools for our junior soldiers and senior ncos and officiers. Surefire keep your head up don’t get caught up or let others pump you up with bs bud you will be fine. And yes the comment made by another senior nco about maybe seeing you back well that is our reality as soldiers. When I left and kissed my wife and child good bye it was with full understanding I might not see them again that is our reality as a soldier.
Tactfully done 82nd, that just proves that you are indeed an NCO with a little experience.
I agree with the EO program and it is a vital part of today’s Army. As far as me taking something for face value, well I guess I have accustomed to being a little over protective of SF. Call it my ‘needs improvement’ flaw.
Good day.
I still think it was completely lacking tact to add the “Maybe”.
You seriously think that SF or anyone else doesnt realize there is a chance he won’t come back???
All I know is that AS is a leader who inspires confidence, and a willingness to follow. 82nd seems more like that leader that causes a soldier to second guess himself when the heat is on.
Joe Smoe or Senior NCO or whoever the heck you are! Your comment that ended with the words ‘See ya next Dec…maybe’ was totally unappreciated by me! Remember that SF’s website is for the purpose of keeping his family and friends in touch with him. I personally don’t appreciate snide and negative remarks regarding what may or may not happen over there. You owe him and me, his mother, an apology!