Posted on Dec 27, 2014
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SSG Human Resources Specialist
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Edited >1 y ago
Not worthy of the award, she did her job, that's it. Now, here's the devil's advocate questions, does her actions set a precedence? Does this open the door for any service member to make reports via email and send said email to the SHARP director jumping everyones chain of command? I believe she initially did the right thing by reaching out to them to do an on the spot correction, but I also think she crossed the line by using the language she chose, by meeting them equally in calling them idiots, and then by goading them into arguing back some more.

1SG Moerk didn't notify the 1SG's of the other commands; she jumped her entire chain of command and their's.(by her own admission) If a private were to jump the chain of command to the CSM, the private would've been destroyed for not following the chain of command properly. Was there a fear that the other commands would brush this under the rug? Not only is that Soldier's unit under the microscope, every unit all the way to the top is now. Some high ranking officer is probably asking their leadership "how screwed are we and how f***ed up are we". Every SHARP/UVA representative is going to called to the mat trying to find out what the hell just happened. Its already a media storm. I'll bet every service branch is squirming right now, that all it takes is some email sent to the very top, saying something is wrong in some unit in regards to SHARP. Ok perhaps it's a bit of a stretch, but could it be feasible?

SAPR really kicked in 2004 and now in 2014, and we've made significant changes in the attitudes and behaviors regarding sexual harassment/assault, it's been 10 years if using that timeline. However, SHARP is trying to correct a behavior that is so immersed itself in military culture that we're a long way changing this behavior. The behavior we need to change are the people that think this is harmless.
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SSG Human Resources Specialist
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Did a little research and found that any soldier who wishes to do so can report a complaint involving sexual harassment or sexual battery to the personnel overseeing the SHARP program without *any* regard to chain of command. The reason that this policy appears to have been implemented is because when US DOD examined the high incidence of sexual harassment and rape within its ranks, they found that much of it went under-reported or unreported.

Therefore, the 1SG had a *perfect legal right* under UCMJ to copy the online materials and send them off to SHARP without regard to chain of command. That is one of two responses that may be made at the discretion of the *victim* of sexual harassment or rape. Her choice, in other words.

It flies in the face of traditional decorum but that is the DOD's policy regarding the matter. It appears as though the Pentagon is currently involved in a full court press against sexual harassment and sexual battery... and that's why they created the SHARP program to begin with.

If I am wrong in this please tell me, if I need to make any corrections, I have no problem admitting I am wrong.
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CPO Greg Frazho
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From a 3-star general, no less! Wow, I guess if you live long enough you get to see everything.

Now, given she's in intel, she SHOULD be monitoring her people's blogs for possible OPSEC violations and that kind of thing. No problem with that. That's part of her job as it is for any senior NCO.

Do either of those things, in and of themselves, warrant or constitute the level of recognition inherent in an ACM? No way.
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CPT All Source Intelligence
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I dislike that they are calling what she did "Trolling" because being a troll really means pointlessly harassing someone on the internet. The example from Urban Dictionary:

Guy: "I just found the coolest ninja pencil in existence."
Troll: "I just found the dumbest thread in existence."

I don't think she should have been given an award of any kind, but I do think the situation should be publicized to generate online awareness.

That said, two things:
1) I really, really, really do not want this to become part of my job. I do not "friend" my Soldiers and I do not want to be ordered to patrol their online personas.
2) The point here is not to "shut up" objectionable speech or force it underground by having Soldiers create fake profiles, block access to their accounts, etc. It's to have a dialog. If Soldiers feel like they cannot talk about their racist, sexist, etc opinions, they will probably always hold them. Talking about them should not be taboo.

And to again clarify, this is NOT a free speech issue because they did it in uniform. That is the violation, not necessarily what they did or said. What they did or said is a point for discussion with their leadership. What they wore makes it UCMJ actionable.
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CSM Command Sergeant Major IN
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>1 y
I cannot agree more with CPT Ann Wolfer. I never accepted a friend request on Facebook from any subordinates because I did not want them to feel I was looking over their shoulder on social media. In fact. my Facebook was military free so I never had to worry about any cross contamination of who was friends with who and who could see what - made life a lot easier. I also didn't have to worry about monitoring what my subordinates were saying either.
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SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
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Politically correct
CPT (Join to see) No side argument here. The bottom-line is we are soft because we think soft. SSG (Join to see) PV2 (Join to see) PO2 Ed C.
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SFC Platoon Sergeant
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By the way. Vikings is one of the greatest shows ever to hit TV. I want to be in Ragnar's army. They have beards.
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SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
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I love that show!
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SSG Retired!!!
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oh wait, its about SHARP. I don't think that's trolling is it? its seeing something stupid and calling it out.
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SMSgt Judy Hickman
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I'm sorry since when do we give out specific achievement medals for doing your job? She's a First Sgt, so she should correct folks when she see's them doing something wrong.

If anything she does look a little sheepish receiving the medal, but her comments in the articles isn't very flattering to a SNCO.
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PVT Director Afghan Operations Grp
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I agree with a very large majority here...Not only NO...but hell f#-%& NO. If that NCO spent that much time on the clock... My first question is...how do you plan to make up that. Time back to Uncle Sam? Second....I would drag her commander and her to my office and chomp a piece of their asses off for abusing govt time.
A pat on the back... With great initiative....extremely BAD judgment!
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SSgt Nicole Biscoe
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No... if that's the route we're going to go and we're going to start giving out ARCOM's for someone doing their job, the medal will lose all impact completely. Maybe I should receive an ARCOM for doing a good job too. She is a 1SG and she did her job... it was definitely not deserving of an ARCOM.
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CMSgt Operations Group Superintendent
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As I read the article I thought for sure it was a joke or a Duffel Blog satire page. This SNCO actually went searching for people in uniform to call them out for making offensive and sexist comments. "I looked them up, introduced myself and explained to them why they were stupid," and then said "look what I did" to senior leaders and got a medal? Wow!
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SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
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Sad indeed CMSgt Pelletier, by the way, I was born at Tyndall AFB.
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1px xxx
Suspended Profile
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I had the same response. Ridiculous. She reminds me of the the little kid on the school playground who would run and tattle-tail on other kids for her own benefit.
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SGT Ben Keen
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Would this means that CPT (Join to see) should get the Legion of Merit for the amount of trolling he does on here?? ;)
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
SSG V. Michelle Woods
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Haha good one!
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LTC Stephen C.
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SFC (Join to see), I vote no. Totally absurd. Politics or public relations.
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SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
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Totally PR. That is like washing one's hands after using the bathroom. Good to do but not ARCOM. lol
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WO1 Counterfire Officer
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Disagree because she is a Senior NCO and or just a NCO doing what is right. I have seen soldiers complete a combat deployment, day in day out missions and only receive AAM.
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SFC Mark Merino
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I went to Iraq for a year and got an ARCOM. I could have just surfed the net in the A/C I guess.
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SFC Mark Merino
SFC Mark Merino
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My Brother!
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CPT(P) Miccc Student
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As a junior NCO, I would expect my 1SG to do this. It's part of his or her job. I've always been told that an AAM is for those going above and beyond. Rarely see the ARCOM handed out in garrison.

I would hope that no 1SG feels this is "above and beyond". This was the right thing to do. Kudos to this 1SG for her actions, but ARCOM worthy? I would hope not.
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1SG Cameron M. Wesson
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Wow... I really can't say more than that. I had soldiers (PVT to SGT) that drove gun trucks in Iraq for year and I couldn't get them a "V" for their award... and this warrants a ARCOM. No I don't agree with this award.
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SSG Felix Najera
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An ARCOM for trolling on social media...and doing your job as a 1SG...all I can do is shake my head. Good job for her for doing what she did because thats what NCO's do, but the dog and pony show and award...smh
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SSG Parachute Rigger
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This is a prime example of how the newer ARMY is shaping up to be. Instead of keeping things at the lowest level we escalate every situation to the highest level possible. To me this is a sign of weak Leadership.

I do believe that the 1SG was right to try and handle it through PM. I think there may have been another avenue to resolve the situation instead of ensuring higher commands got CC'd on the wrong doing. I have mentors whom I ask about handling a situation. No matter your rank you should always have mentors.

Rewarding this action only reinforces circumventing your Chain of Command and going straight to the top. I saw this tactic in TRADOC as well. TRADOC has avenue's for initial entry Soldiers to e-mail the General directly. Since that is all they know when arriving to a Unit they do not trust or have faith in the NCO Corps and ask to see the highest Command possible utilizing open door when it could have been handled at Platoon level or lower.

SHARP however is now considered a big issue because it was disregarded for so long. It is the primary focus within the Military right now. Therefore this situation is being highlighted to try and bring a more positive light on the ARMY by showing the program does work. I find it disgusting how Leaders utilized their position to get pleasure. I personally only see Soldiers.

I do have an issue with awarding someone who openly admitted to stating that an individual is "stupid." At the level of 1SG more tact is in order. Not to call the kettle black as I am still working on my tact daily. I just wonder to what level of name calling came into play during this back and forth banter.

We are in a digital age now and therefore we must be completely computer literate as well as keep up with all "Social Media." I do not consider what the 1SG did as trolling. As Leaders we are going to have to maintain order and discipline in all facets of life. Soldiers are representing the United States and the Military! It is our job as Leaders to police up wrong actions. I would not be surprised to see an MOS develop out of dealing with internet situations.

I do not constantly check but if I see something inappropriate I do message the individual if they are on or appear to be Active Duty. There again I am not friends with lower enlisted; only NCO's and Leaders with whom I worked with but are no longer stationed together. Unfortunately it is a powerful tool to stay connected.

I can see where some would get riled up over this award but it is what it is. Individuals are always going to get an award which some do not agree with. I personally do not care for awards as most are given off who you know, rank, and numbers. I would not want such fan fare for being a Leader. Of course that is me personally. I prefer to quietly Lead.
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MAJ Deputy Director, Combat Casualty Care Research Program
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Wow... I got an ARCOM for rebuilding the entire website for tracking casualties in A'stan. Then again, I got an AAM for taking in 150 casualties.
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SGT Bryon Sergent
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not for chastising someone for face book. If you gotta search this hard to give somone an award then they need looked at in other areas.
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1SG Frank Boynton
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The position of 1SG must have changed description since I was one. As a 1SG, I never had the time to troll the internet (of course there was no social forums like facebook or twitter back then), even so, we were too busy with the day to day running of a company to be browsing on the internet. And a 3 star general thinks it's important enough to give her an ARCOM really? Getting a medal for browsing the internet. Must be a hell of a 1SG.
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CPT Jack Durish
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I'm sorry, but I can't contribute to the vote tally. I don't see an option that reflects my opinion.

I might have voted "Yes" but not "...because the 1SG was doing what a 1SG should do." Indeed, no soldier should receive any award for doing what they should do unless they do it in an outstandingly meritorious manner.

I might have voted "No" but I am not a commanding general. I don't have a vote in deciding who should or should not receive any award. Had I been the CG in this case, no I probably would not have made the award unless there is other information to which I am not privy.

I received two ARCOMs for meritorious achievement, one in Vietnam and the other in Hawaii, while on active duty. In both cases I managed ad hoc teams that successfully completed difficult projects, projects which others had attempted and failed. I am proud of those awards.

Given the information presented, I might feel that the cited award of an ARCOM possibly was demeaning to my awards. However, the citations accompanying my awards speak far more eloquently than the medals themselves. When the granddaughters ask what they are for, I am proud to explain. I wonder if the 1SG will be equally proud?
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