Civilians use the term "MIA" regularly, but does it have a negative connotation within the military community?

Sydney Glynn — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 11:04:33 -0400

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jul 16 at 2021 11:31 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 11:31:37 -0400

I think it depends on what you are talking about.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jul 16 at 2021 12:19 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 12:19:32 -0400

I have given up worrying about civs appropriating terms from an organization they probably couldn't even get in... stolen valor is a whole 'nother issue, though.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2021 12:40 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 12:40:03 -0400

Not with me.

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Jul 16 at 2021 2:20 PM

SFC Randy Hellenbrand — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 14:20:21 -0400

No it means respect ;and perseverance to me. We will always keep the faith with them.

Response by A1C Chris Pointer made Jul 16 at 2021 3:10 PM

A1C Chris Pointer — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 15:10:40 -0400

I don’t understand. Why would It have a negative connotation?

Response by SSG Bsrty Toll made Jul 16 at 2021 4:05 PM

SSG Bsrty Toll — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 16:05:34 -0400

Absolutely NOT.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 16 at 2021 5:15 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 17:15:08 -0400

Why would it be negative unless it turns into a desertion like Bowie?

Response by SPC Jesse Davis made Jul 16 at 2021 5:35 PM

SPC Jesse Davis — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 17:35:03 -0400

It's a bit of a mess because it was largely just a propaganda campaign by the Nixon administration to downplay the death toll.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 16 at 2021 7:16 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 19:16:18 -0400

It means many are unaccounted for. That is just sad.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jul 17 at 2021 10:16 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 10:16:21 -0400

MIA happens all the time during peacetime exercises, should be no surprise it happens in wartime. Your unit moves without you and your not aware your unit has moved out. It shoudn't happen with proper leadership but sometimes leadership gets distracted and proper accountablity never happens prior to a unit moving positions.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 17 at 2021 10:33 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 10:33:58 -0400

It doesn’t have a negative connotation within the military circles I run. MIA isn’t the same as AWOL or UA. Those are used negatively. I would need to better understand the context you are talking about to see where your POV is.