Posted on Apr 2, 2015
CW3 Armament Technician
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So, working on a howitzer at the schoolhouse today with a handful of others. There's a large cover of some sort that has to be removed. Instructor has a go at it, cant budge it. He looks at me, and without missing a beat in front of seven other people, says "Come put your dick beaters on this and see if you can get it."

Ultimately this led to some other issues later on in the day, because at this point I had lost all respect I had for the person, but I've never in my career encountered something like that from a schoolhouse teacher firsthand. Really makes me shake my head thinking about it.

What would you have done?
Posted in these groups: E1688309 SHARP
Edited 9 y ago
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Responses: 2
Cpl Jeff N.
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Wow...You would not have survived a generation ago if that is what you consider sexual harassment. Our hands were regularly called dick skinners, our mouths dick holsters, our rear ends turd cutters. You name it, it was said. We all lived through it. I would suggest you not look to be so easily offended.

I could see the concern if he was an enlisted soldier speaking to a WO like that but sexual harassment, really?
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CW3 Armament Technician
CW3 (Join to see)
9 y
Not offended in the least, but was not expecting something like that out of someone expected to BE the professional. Mind you we're in a maintenance bay not 15 feet from a large group of brand new privates (and females).

Would he have said the same thing to his boss? What about a female?

No?

No?

Then why say it at all.
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Cpl Jeff N.
Cpl Jeff N.
9 y
It must have offended you at least some as you posted this issue the same day it occurred, you "lost all respect" for that person, it created more issues later in the day and you seem to be shaken by it (shaking your head and "thinking about it".)

You must have been in the Army for some time now having become a WO. Is this the first time you have heard this sort of banter?

I completely agree it was inappropriate if this was an enlisted soldier speaking to a WO in this manner but I cannot imagine it would reach the level of sexual harrassment and losing respect for someone.

Perhaps I am a dinosaur. That is pretty standard language used while I was in and no one was really offended.

Would I use that language to by boss, no. Would I have used it to a female, not likely but when I was in men spoke to men in very direct, terse and harsh language sometimes.
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CW3 Armament Technician
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For what it's worth, I was able to remove the cover.
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1LT David Moeglein
1LT David Moeglein
9 y
WO1 Christopher Bergevine, good job getting the cover off. I would have pulled the instructor aside afterwards and explained what sexual harassment is, and pointed out that making a statement like that is putting himself at risk for an EO complaint. Leadership requires inspiring others. If he's creating obstacles that are getting in the way of that, it's ultimately his career that he's messing with. If you feel strongly enough about it, you could also file an EO complaint yourself. I would err on the side of being kind to my inner knucklehead and his.
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