Posted on May 4, 2016
Do you believe that these West Point first classman are violating the UCMJ by making a political statement while in uniform?
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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
-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
Posted in these groups: 
United States Military Academy (USMA West Point)
Black Lives Matter
PoliticsUSCC
UCMJ
United States Military Academy (USMA West Point) Black Lives Matter PoliticsUSCC UCMJ
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 238
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Yes, especially if they are representing a group that has committed violence within the United States as well as called for the death of Law Enforcement Officer and in some cases White Americans. This is a disgrace.
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Capt Gregory Prickett
SSG Roger Ayscue
All I need to do is point out the following:
Bettie Jones, B/F, 55. Unarmed. Shot by Chicago police, who stated, oops, accident.
Jason Brady, W/M, 40. Unarmed. Shot by Ohio deputy sheriff who was under investigation for another shooting. The SO, said it was an accident.
Andrew Thomas, W/M, 26. Unarmed, complying with order to exit vehicle with his hands up. Shot by California police who said it was an accident and fired the officer.
Jeremy Mardis, W/M, 6. Unarmed, sitting quietly in a car. Officers were trying to serve a warrant that did not exist against a person who the officer had a grudge against. Officers are facing murder charges.
I can go on and on. Look, I understand the need of people to comply. I was a cop for over 20 years. I also recognize that we have over-militarized our police and that we are not holding them accountable for their actions. They don't get a pass because they have a badge.
All I need to do is point out the following:
Bettie Jones, B/F, 55. Unarmed. Shot by Chicago police, who stated, oops, accident.
Jason Brady, W/M, 40. Unarmed. Shot by Ohio deputy sheriff who was under investigation for another shooting. The SO, said it was an accident.
Andrew Thomas, W/M, 26. Unarmed, complying with order to exit vehicle with his hands up. Shot by California police who said it was an accident and fired the officer.
Jeremy Mardis, W/M, 6. Unarmed, sitting quietly in a car. Officers were trying to serve a warrant that did not exist against a person who the officer had a grudge against. Officers are facing murder charges.
I can go on and on. Look, I understand the need of people to comply. I was a cop for over 20 years. I also recognize that we have over-militarized our police and that we are not holding them accountable for their actions. They don't get a pass because they have a badge.
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SSG Roger Ayscue
Capt Gregory Prickett - Not saying at all to give them a pass. But the cases that are the most publicized, like Michael Brown they try to show that he was just minding his own business, and the cop shot him for kicks. Sir, as hard as it is, I would have way way more sympathy for the innocent if the media and movements like BLM would admit that not everyone is innocent.
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SSG Roger Ayscue
Capt Gregory Prickett - As for militarizing the Police, it goes right along with people in the neighborhoods KNOWING full well who the thugs and criminals are but not helping to clean up their own neighborhoods. Thugs and Criminals should be targets of opportunity.
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Capt Gregory Prickett
SSG Roger Ayscue - I understand fully about thugs and criminals. My first police assignment was in the Dallas Housing Projects. When I started, we did business with a revolver and a partner. We didn't need armored cars, or patrol rifles, or combat gear. Second, most of the people in those neighborhoods wanted us to put the thugs in jail for spitting on the sidewalk. It is inaccurate to state that they won't help to clean up their own neighborhoods. They will, but you have to make an effort to get to know the people instead of riding around in a squad car looking tough with all the nifty tactical gear.
I'm also aware of what officers go through. My second year on the job, we buried five of our officers who died in the line of duty. The next year, two more. I'm aware that many people think that we should treat the thugs much differently, but that starts the slide into becoming a police state. They may be thugs, but they have rights, rights that I swore to uphold.
If we keep up this army of occupation bullshit, the police will alienate a large number of the public, who will start to fight back. We don't need that.
I'm also aware of what officers go through. My second year on the job, we buried five of our officers who died in the line of duty. The next year, two more. I'm aware that many people think that we should treat the thugs much differently, but that starts the slide into becoming a police state. They may be thugs, but they have rights, rights that I swore to uphold.
If we keep up this army of occupation bullshit, the police will alienate a large number of the public, who will start to fight back. We don't need that.
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If these Cadets are, in fact, posing in a manner that violates the DoD Directive, then appropriate action needs to happen.
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MSG (Join to see)
CPT Ahmed Faried - That's why I said IF. Some could see that pose as them making a political statement (while in uniform) that supports the BLM.....or even the Black Panther (depending on perception). This will more than likely turn into a he/she said mixed with intent vs perception argument.
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MSG (Join to see)
CPT Ahmed Faried - And, please don't misunderstand me. I am not saying they are, and I am not saying they aren't....but we all know, having been in the military more than a day or two, that perceptions from others of your actions, regardless of intent, can be damaging. But the Leaders of these Cadets certainly should have a sit down with them to find out what their intent was.
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SSG Robert Webster
CPT (Anonymous), what is your problem? Blocking people from making a comment about something you said and posted? How on earth does the picture of the people in wheel chairs have to do with this subject and conversation?
Pull your head out of your fourth point of contact!
Pull your head out of your fourth point of contact!
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MSG (Join to see)
CPT (Anonymous) - Interesting point. I will start with the bottom pic.....I have no idea what that event could be so I can't make an appropriate response. Now as for the top picture is obviously a parade that some unit marched in. Without being able to see the patch, I don't know if they are NG or USAR....but, regardless.....I agree that those beads are an issue and should have been addressed prior to the parade and the Soldiers told not to wear them while in uniform. As for being allowed to march in the parade while in uniform, I can't find anything specific, but I would have to guess that the commander authorized it. Now, if by chance that wearing of the uniform is a no no while in the parade, then the CoC needs to address that with the commander. And as I had stated in my previous comments, if violations were made, then appropriate actions needs to happen. But I will say this. If I were the 1SG of that unit, and I was asked for us to join that parade, I would have searched high and low to ensure that the regulation said yay or nay to wearing of the uniform.
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Yes, they are, they are in violation!!!! No organization withing the military is authorized unless authorized! Also, this is a racial sign they are expressing, used by the Black Lives Matter movement and the Black Panthers. When are we going to uphold the regs that are written and stop the "let it go"? Suggest they be counseled on the matter so they understand and then allowed to move along in their military career! If not, this type of behavior will continue to grow and will cause problems and segregation in the future, something we fought to abolish!
The bad thing is, if someone in the future were to complain about their action at a later date and claim racism, this matter will be brought back up! Not good!
The bad thing is, if someone in the future were to complain about their action at a later date and claim racism, this matter will be brought back up! Not good!
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I have heard the "they are just kids" argument plenty here.
And it's bullcrap.
These are Seniors at West Point who are about to become officers in the United States Army. They should be held to a higher standard. You can say whatever you want, but Officers in the military SHOULD be held to a higher standard. If not, then why do they exist?
There is no excuse for this.
And it's bullcrap.
These are Seniors at West Point who are about to become officers in the United States Army. They should be held to a higher standard. You can say whatever you want, but Officers in the military SHOULD be held to a higher standard. If not, then why do they exist?
There is no excuse for this.
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Maj Rob Drury
I don't know why others can't see this. Consistently sound judgement is absolutely the most basic qualification for officership. It's not punishment to remove these clowns. Refusing a commission to individuals showing poor judgement is no different than refusing pilot wings to a blind individual.
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Yup, I'll say that shit is racist. there's no room in the army for that. We got enough weird social experiments going on in the army then have to deal with racist female officers who would be commanding troops.. Lol so glad I'm not active duty. Takes 5 suicide prevention classes lol
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Two things bother about all this. 1) Those young people do not have first hand knowledge of what Jim Crow was like. They were not there in Greensboro, where black citizens asked to be served and were denied. (Greensboro, NC.) People of the Philippines were slaves for 300 years!! They have moved on. In WWII, their kids, babies were impaled on poles for sport. But they marched the Bataan Death March and Corrigador along side Americans. They were crueally treated in their own Country. You were not here MLK was shot. I remember the event like it were yesterday. Little Rock Hall, was another instance where kids tried to go to school and were denied.
And I am pretty sure that you were not segregated and I actually witnessed the old school that was shut down. I used to play in the neighborhood. Willie and I were to a football game in Arkadelphia were the KKK were at. Willie said that, maybe we should go. lol, ya think? Were you there or where Hank Aaron had threats and his parents also. He handled it with grace. Bob Gibson who at one time, played basketball for the Globetrotters but could not stay in a white only hotel. Anheiser Busch rectified that? The backdrop to all of this is, that real people experienced stuff you had no experience with.
Lastly and more importantly you were not there and then to throw the power sign around, oblivious to the sacrifices of other blacks and you were not there. Lou Brock, Bob Gibson experienced it and so did Ozzie Smith, but the great SS got over that and said that if you don't have it, you don't miss it.
COL Sam Russell SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL did as well.
Regards and respectfully,
Larry
And I am pretty sure that you were not segregated and I actually witnessed the old school that was shut down. I used to play in the neighborhood. Willie and I were to a football game in Arkadelphia were the KKK were at. Willie said that, maybe we should go. lol, ya think? Were you there or where Hank Aaron had threats and his parents also. He handled it with grace. Bob Gibson who at one time, played basketball for the Globetrotters but could not stay in a white only hotel. Anheiser Busch rectified that? The backdrop to all of this is, that real people experienced stuff you had no experience with.
Lastly and more importantly you were not there and then to throw the power sign around, oblivious to the sacrifices of other blacks and you were not there. Lou Brock, Bob Gibson experienced it and so did Ozzie Smith, but the great SS got over that and said that if you don't have it, you don't miss it.
COL Sam Russell SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL did as well.
Regards and respectfully,
Larry
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Suspended Profile
Garbage. Wouldn't want these creatures out there leading, if they do stupid shit like this before they're even in the fleet...
The comment that they are young and stupid is so oblivious, ignorant and dangerous - they are training to be officers of soldiers, what kind shit is this?? If this were a group of whites, it would automatically be shut down, condemned and potentially kicked out of the academy.
Last but not least, to summarize some of the comments - this isn't about diversity or open mindedness or freedom of speech... Screw that, they want to enter an organization that should be one unit, not divisive/everyone's feelings need to be heard/taken into consideration type of bullshit. It starts with the basics, and they can't even keep their bearing in training......
Even if there wasn't any subtext or connotation, they (cadets/classmates, whatever) should know better.
The comment that they are young and stupid is so oblivious, ignorant and dangerous - they are training to be officers of soldiers, what kind shit is this?? If this were a group of whites, it would automatically be shut down, condemned and potentially kicked out of the academy.
Last but not least, to summarize some of the comments - this isn't about diversity or open mindedness or freedom of speech... Screw that, they want to enter an organization that should be one unit, not divisive/everyone's feelings need to be heard/taken into consideration type of bullshit. It starts with the basics, and they can't even keep their bearing in training......
Even if there wasn't any subtext or connotation, they (cadets/classmates, whatever) should know better.
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I believe they are in violation. Just think if me and my team of Army Recruiters took a photo like that in front of our recruiting center! Would there even be a debate if we were in violation?
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The military is NOT a Social Service Organization. It has rules / laws to maintain decorum and respect.
These people violated those laws/rules and should be removed. They have disrespected the Military, the Military Academy, and the American People that provided their education.
These people violated those laws/rules and should be removed. They have disrespected the Military, the Military Academy, and the American People that provided their education.
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