Posted on Mar 20, 2015
Blood rank. Did you do it, did you get it? Was it wrong?
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Since we don't get pin on rank anymore this isn't really an issue as it used to be. Below is a picture of me giving blood rank to one of my old Soldiers. He actually asked for it and was very proud as you can see in the photos. This was done in a Company formation. What are your thoughts? And by thoughts I am not referring to what you think about my nursing whites.
Side note: This picture is over 12 years old and has surpassed the statute of limitations so don't dime me out!
Side note: This picture is over 12 years old and has surpassed the statute of limitations so don't dime me out!
Tradition
Rank
Promotions
Hazing
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 120
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I would watch out for Blue Falcons when it comes to certain things on here. Obviously we can't legally condone this practice; but I hate that we're not allowed to practice it because for some reason rather if it's voluntary or not, it's still called hazing. I would have loved to have had my blood wings (Navy air warfare specialist type, not Army) and my 2nd class insignias tacked in since I was promoted in my Service Uniform. Oh well...we're a kinder, gentler, and more politically correct military now. Let's applaud the leadership that has taken tradition away for the sake of...reasons. :-/
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I had this done when I was promoted to CPT.
I don't think it is wrong, but too many people have taken it WAY too far. "Tapping" someone on the rank verses "Slamming" and trying to injure them is where we have gone wrong. Those who "slam" and try to injure have crossed the line from right to wrong.
I don't think it is wrong, but too many people have taken it WAY too far. "Tapping" someone on the rank verses "Slamming" and trying to injure them is where we have gone wrong. Those who "slam" and try to injure have crossed the line from right to wrong.
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I got blood rank and so did most soldiers before me. Sigh guess this will go to the way side as we turn our men into wimps. Sorry just do not like the direction our military is going. Stress cards and all just upsets me to think that if the war/police action/training exercise get's to intense these soldiers think they can hold up a stress card and have time to take 5 from it.
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SGT Robert Roadifer
I got Blood Rank every promotion. Â The one I remember the most is when I was promoted to Corporal. Â My Squad Leader Hit me so hard that the Pin went into my Collarbone. Â Â
I also remember having to walk the gauntlet after words and getting punched in the shoulders by all the Platoon Members.
I can also remember when one of the female Platoon members was promoted and asked to be treated like the rest of us. Â So, when she walked the gauntlet I punched her in the shoulder as hard as I could because the rest of the guys before me were just tapping her. Â When I did that she said, "Finally someone that knows what I meant by being treated the same." Â Everyone after me hit her just as hard as I did and she was happy.
Just before I got out they were graduating the first soldier that were given Stress Card. Â One of them had it with when he reported to his first duty station at Fort Hood and tried to use it during a really long PT session and the instructor pulled him out. The First Sergeant came out and checked on what was going on. Â The First Sergeant stopped PT for the rest of us and let us watch as this young fresh out of basic soldier did PT with the First Sergeant and the Company Commander. Â The First Sergeant told the rest of the new soldier and the one that he PT'd that he did not want to see any more stress cards cause that is not how this Company will run because we our going to see a lot of stress when we deploy to areas of combat and if we can't handle PT then we should get out of the Army. Â
I also remember having to walk the gauntlet after words and getting punched in the shoulders by all the Platoon Members.
I can also remember when one of the female Platoon members was promoted and asked to be treated like the rest of us. Â So, when she walked the gauntlet I punched her in the shoulder as hard as I could because the rest of the guys before me were just tapping her. Â When I did that she said, "Finally someone that knows what I meant by being treated the same." Â Everyone after me hit her just as hard as I did and she was happy.
Just before I got out they were graduating the first soldier that were given Stress Card. Â One of them had it with when he reported to his first duty station at Fort Hood and tried to use it during a really long PT session and the instructor pulled him out. The First Sergeant came out and checked on what was going on. Â The First Sergeant stopped PT for the rest of us and let us watch as this young fresh out of basic soldier did PT with the First Sergeant and the Company Commander. Â The First Sergeant told the rest of the new soldier and the one that he PT'd that he did not want to see any more stress cards cause that is not how this Company will run because we our going to see a lot of stress when we deploy to areas of combat and if we can't handle PT then we should get out of the Army. Â
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Guys in Infantry OSUT begged the Drill Sergeant to give them blood rifles on Honor Hill. Of course, he refused.
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A 2nd class PO tried to pound my 3rd class crows into me, but I wouldn't let him do it. He had nothing to do with my advancement. He was just a weirdo. (Later I called the FBI and told them I thought he might be the Unibomber after reading part of a manifesto he wrote.)
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For those asking, no the female next to him did not request the same courtesy.
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CPT (Join to see)
I got my Blood wings (Aviation wings). It was discouraged, but there were NCO's that would do it in a less public setting if you desired. It sucked, but I asked for it.Â
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I earned my blood rank and my blood stripe! I was as proud as anyone could be! Not only did I receive my blood rank, I ran the NCO gauntlet. I almost couldn't walk, but I wasn't a DS. It's a right of passage, granted that was over 25 years ago, but as traditions go, I'd do it again!
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Suspended Profile
In the Navy, this is still an issue. Everyone wears collar devices for rank in the Navy now. Further, when one earns their wings, dolphins, SWO pin, Trident or whatever, the pin is often "Tacked on". Much more painful with collar or chest devices than it was with sleeve stripes that also got tacked on. I had a few bicep bruises when promoted to MM3 and MM2. Fortunately, my SWO pin and officer rank devices never got seriously tacked on, but there is still usually a symbolic tap given to them, in memory of the tradition...
I got blood rank. I just saw it as a reason to get hit. I refused to get blood wings. I just didn't see the point of it. Later when I had a soldier get promoted there were many in line to punch him. I informed them that if they going to strike him they should either expect him to strike you back or he could a sworn statement that he was assaulted by another soldier. They thought it was stupid but then I so is punching a soldier as a means of congratulating him.
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