Posted on May 4, 2016
COL Sam Russell
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DOD directive 1344.10 states:

-A member of the Armed Forces on active duty may:
4.1.1.3. Join a partisan or nonpartisan political club and attend its meetings when NOT in uniform, subject to the restrictions of subparagraph 4.1.2.4. (See DoD Instruction 1334.1 (Reference (c).)

From the article "Racism Within West Point"
http://www.inthearenafitness.com/index.php/racism-within-west-point
Edited 9 y ago
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GySgt Steven Robeson
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Edited 9 y ago
Any political statement made in uniform is a UCMJ offense. If they want to put on tee shirts and flip-flops and go promote whatever issue it is that has them up in arms (pun intended). let them do it. But the second they do it in uniform or make reference to being in Armed Forces, thereby giving it appearance that the AFUS is supporting the issue, it's a UCMJ offense.
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SSG Wally Lawver
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absolutely. But this is a protected class in the Army...........................
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CPT Ahmed Faried
CPT Ahmed Faried
9 y
here we go.
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LTC Joint Clinical Director
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Lt. Col. Christopher Kasker, the public affairs director for West Point, said in a statement that the academy “can confirm that the cadets in this photo are members of the U.S. Military Academy’s Class of 2016. Academy officials are conducting an inquiry into the matter.” RAW StORY 5MAY16
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SFC Jim Ruether
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They always warned us about taking any kind of public position or expressing an opinion politically in public. Of course once I got out .....well that's a different story now isn't it? ha ha
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SPC David S.
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It should be investigation to ensure accountability for anyone in violation of UCMJ.
At a minimum I think the pair on the railing should rack up a couple of demerits.
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MAJ Bryan Zeski
MAJ Bryan Zeski
9 y
No safety belt or kevlar!
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MSgt Michael Smith
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Is having a rebel flag bumper sticker a political statement? How about a Trump sticker on your bumper? Last time I checked the Westpoint uniform is not an authorized active duty uniform. You are all just intolerant.
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PVT John Williams
PVT John Williams
>1 y
As long as there is no profanity its first amendment all the way. I'm with MSgt Smith.
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MSgt Aerospace Propulsion
MSgt (Join to see)
>1 y
MSgt Smith, it is obvious not everyone fully understands what rights are granted by the US Constitution and which are semi-supressed/suspened and which are not while serving in the service, huh? I'm with you all the way. Maybe PME should touch more on these subjects. What do you think?
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SSG Dale London
SSG Dale London
>1 y
I wouldn't go throwing that word "intolerant" around unreservedly especially as, over the past few years, it has become abundantly clear that BLM is an openly and unashamedly racist organization. White people are made to walk at the back of their marches. They are insulted and decried because of the color of their skin. They cannot even use the facebook pages for some chapters as these are "Black Only." Whites are only tolerated as long as they tout the BLM line and are viciously attacked otherwise. If being a member of a white supremacist group is forbidden at USMA (and it is) then so too should membership or support of BLM be forbidden.
Furthermore, regardless of the status of the USMA uniform, the cadets are honor bound to abide by army regulations -- and that includes rules restricting the activities of uniformed personnel under army jurisdiction whose actions may bring discredit upon the army or the academy. The last time I checked, USMA West Point was an army facility with an army commandant, army instructors and an army commission waiting at the end of four years' successful study and training.
If a cadet attended a political rally in USMA uniform, he would definitely be reprimanded and possibly expelled from the academy.
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Terri Sirois
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definitely, this seems as a one way street
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Marlene Hessler
Marlene Hessler
>1 y
The military is not a social experiment. Of necessity, it is a benevolent dictatorship.
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SGT Charles Bartell
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This Is The Same Old Shit Different Day. This Is One Of Those Black Power Things. If It Where White Cadets All Of Them Would Have Been Kicked Out Just As I Think These People Should. I Know People Are Still Stupid About Race And Keeping The Thing That Divides Us More Than Religion. The Guy At The Citadel Where All Busted For The White Ghost Christmas Singing. Because Some People Said They Looked Like The KKK. Well I Guess All Kids That Dress As Ghosts For Halloween Are Racist Kiln Members. If The West Point Thing Is Glazed Over As Pride Then Why Is Every Thing That Some One White Does That Might Be Taken The Wrong Way BLOWN UP. ALL OF YOU NEED TO FACE THE FACT'S. Their Are Stupid People Every Where. That Ether Do Something Or Say Something That. Ether Comes Out Or Is Taken Wrong. Then Their Are The Evil Among Us That Say And Does These Thing's That Cause Hate Between People. Then Their Is The Evil That Know's Things Where Not Meant The Way It Sounded. But Do Every Thing They Can To Make It Look The Other Way. Then There Is My Favorites The So Called Minster Or Reverend That Preaches Lie's And Hate. Then The New's That Only Report's Things That Are Bad. Never Telling The Good Thing Or Just The Fact's Not The Spin To Make More So Called New's. Yes I Am Racist A Humane Racist That Hope's For People To Pull Their Head's Out Of There Ass's. God I Back To My Day's At Ft. Benning In Basic Taring Where We Where All O.D. GREEN.
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SPC Christopher Morehouse
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What.... The..... Hell.... AT best this shows questionable judgment. What the hell are they teaching at West Point!?
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PO1 Scott VanBoskirk
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What it boils down to is authorization. Unless I'm mistaken, if you wish to make any type of statement in uniform, then you may do it ONLY if you have submitted a request and have received permission from the proper authority.

So did they request and receive permission to take a picture in support of BLM? If so, then then they cannot be charged. If not, then they should be held accountable to the UCMJ, period.

And to the example of those marching in gay pride parades in uniform, that should have been punished as well. Another example of where the UCMJ was not applied when it should have been was to those in the reserves who were mobilized and refused to go.

What needs to be done is to promulgate a statement to all military, active and reserve, that we will draw a line at this moment in time. Going forward, ALL infractions of the UCMJ in regards to making political statements will be dealt with in accordance with the UCMJ with NO EXCEPTIONS.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you are not even supposed to be in uniform except traveling between home and base. And in any utility uniform, you are not even allowed to step out of your transportation unless you are on base or at home. Any change in this rule must be authorized by your CO.

NO EXCEPTIONS!
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Lt Col Associate
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No.
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Capt Tom Brown
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Guess these ladies are all now graduated and in the process of reporting in to their first duty station.
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SGM Sergeant Major
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What statement are they making?
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PO1 Scott VanBoskirk
PO1 Scott VanBoskirk
9 y
BLM - Black Lives Matter, which is both a political statement and a race based (i.e. racist) statement. The BLM organization, based on their actions and all their press releases, believe that ONLY black lives matter and any other race does not deserve protection. In fact, it has been well documented that anyone who tells them that ALL lives matter and ALL races deserve equal protection tend to be beaten and driven out of the area. Also, there are many, well documented incidents involving BLM supporters killing or severely injuring/maiming any person that is not black.
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SGM Sergeant Major
SGM (Join to see)
9 y
I would like to think that before these students were allowed to take this photo it was cleared by the Chain of Command. Have you ever taken time to read some of the bumper stickers on cars of military personnel in uniform traveling on and off military installations? If you have, you know without any doubt that they are making serious political statements. Has anyone complain about it?

You still see vehicles that military personnel in uniform are driving that have down with President Obama stickers on them, and he is our Commander in Chief. (Total disrespect)

We live in a world where people take sides, and opportunity of situations. Just read a few of the comments and you can immediately identify what ethic background or culture the person that is commenting is from.

If this would have been included in an ethic observance would we be having this discussion?

I am going to keep faith in West Point and say if this photo violated UCMJ rules the students would have been punished.
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CW3 Kevin Storm
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After 4 years of military education, paid for by the taxpayer, this is what we get. I hope every West Point Alumni gives them the cold shoulder from now until eternity! I hope the commandant drums them out in disgrace.
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SGT David D Williams
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Planned in advance to test the waters. I see a disgraceful deterioration of pride in the unity of the most prestigious military academy in the world. It will continue to to fade now that this is accepted. My heart hurts....
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Marlene Hessler
Marlene Hessler
9 y
The regime of the current administration has done more to destroy and erode the United States Military than the entire Cold War did. Patriotism was strong during that communist era. The Enemy Within has turned our military into a social experiment and ran off the senior officers that support OUR CONSTITUTION. He is 4th generation Communist. That and being raise Muslim says it all. IT WILL TAKE MUCH TIME AND EFFORT TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. If it is not done with the next administration, OUR COUNTRY MAY NEVER RECUPERATE.
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Marlene Hessler
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Someone responded that the Cadets' perception was of negativity.

The Cadets' perception matters in that it shows they are NOT OFFICER MATERIAL.

However, it is NOT THEIR PERCEPTION THAT SHOULD CONCERN ALL OF US.
IT IS THE PERCEPTION THEIR ACTIONS PRESENT TO THE PEOPLE PAYING FOR THEIR EDUCATION AND THEIR PAYCHECKS AS OFFICERS.

PERCEPTION IS REALITY

REALITY IS THEY ARE A PROBLEM
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COL Mo Fenner
COL Mo Fenner
9 y
Capt Gregory Prickett - I agree with you Capt Prickett. I would also like to point out that the cadets are also paying taxes.
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Marlene Hessler
Marlene Hessler
9 y
Lots of people pay taxes. They do not all deserve the respect of a West Point graduate.

It's apples and grapefruit.
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SGT Charles Bartell
SGT Charles Bartell
9 y
COL Mo Fenner - Just Because You Pay Taxes Does Not Make You Have The Means To Lead.
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Marlene Hessler
Marlene Hessler
9 y
It's not just apples and grapefruit. It is FRESH FRUIT versus totally rotted fruit.
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SSG Jeff Binkiewicz
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Yes, time for the duffel bag drag. When I was in you kept your political views to yourself. I would love to the look on their faces when they get shit canned.
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Lt Col Commander
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What if this was a pic of a bunch of white males doing the hitter salute...would it be ok?
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CPT Physician Assistant
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Yes but they are Black so it is ok.
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SGT John Hamby
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Absolutely!!!!! they are blatantly in Violation of the Regulations
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