Biased: do you feel that more and more people in the military are getting openly biased?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 19:41:44 -0400

After looking at a few of the more recent discussions such as the Army Ranger whose jacket was not held up it seems to me that more and more of the military is becoming openly biased. Many may deny that they are biased, but when cornered by their own words they sometimes back-off. Do you feel that we as a military are becoming openly biased? If you think so, what impact will this have on our military?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 7:46 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 19:46:47 -0400

LTC Private RallyPoint Member, when I hear bias, I think racial bias, but I'm sure that's not what you mean. Could you explain your definition/use of the word bias?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 12 at 2014 8:35 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 20:35:46 -0400

I believe we have always looked out for our own and continue to do so but with the advent and proliferation of social media and the state of the traditional media and how we are represented, we do come across as being biased. We are in effect a large, "special interest" group competing against all the other special interest groups for attention, funding and personnel.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Oct 12 at 2014 9:06 PM

SSG Pete Fleming — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 21:06:35 -0400

I don't understand the question, sorry

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 10:30 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 22:30:33 -0400

My take on the question is yes members are biased in a way. Just like police officers who are on the job for many years. That start to look at most folks as criminals if they are not cops themselves. In the same way that we who have served believe only other military members can understand or even fix our problems. We have trust issues of people. So we have trouble looking at civilians as our equal.

Not sure if that is what you where going for, but that is my understanding of the question.

Response by Cpl Chris Rice made Oct 13 at 2014 12:30 AM

Cpl Chris Rice — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 00:30:58 -0400

Awesome question, I believe we are becoming biased, and almost monolithic. I think that the military needs to be mindful it does not become a stereotype. There are a lot of people out there that love this country regardless of the political, vet status, race, and religion. Unfortunately there is a streak of arrogance in the military that those who serve are the end all, be all of the perfect American. I think one thing that I notice it the most is the sentiment that all politicians should have military service, because only we understand veterans, and the military. In truth then all politicians should be astronauts, wildland firefighters, fast food workers, retail employees, who are a mix of white, Hispanic, and black, while being bisexual. If I posed the question should all politicians be a member of a certain special interest I would get torched on this site, but it is acceptable for this expectation from us.

Response by 1LT David Moeglein made Oct 13 at 2014 2:51 AM

1LT David Moeglein — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 02:51:54 -0400

I think that on the whole, service members and veterans understand leadership. It was amazing to me that when first becoming employed as a civilian, how little my managers thought about what it would be like to be on the receiving end of their orders. Is there a bonding experience that happens when you inspect your soldier's feet? I think most trained in the military have a sense of what an illegal order is. Honor and integrity is a part of our training and culture. The stakes are too high to not have it be a priority.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Oct 13 at 2014 9:24 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 09:24:18 -0400

I will have to concur with Maj Robert Petrarca.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Oct 13 at 2014 9:29 AM

SPC Christopher Smith — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 09:29:45 -0400

If we are taking about biased being (racial, political, moral values, inclusion, exclusion) then no, things are as they have always been. The good ol' boys club is still strong, not everyone likes being around people of different racial backgrounds.