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 8 y ago
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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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SGT Carter Laurie
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Dishonorable discharges for all involved. No exceptions.
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MAJ Randy Gregory
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West Point Cadets are subject to UCMJ unlike ROTC Cadets who are only when on active duty for training.

This is clearly prejudicial to good order and discipline. It is clearly a political statement made in uniform. It is therefore a breech of the honor code and the UCMJ.

The reason they won't be disciplined as white cadets would for supporting an equally controversial white cause is the color of their skin.

We've trained our NCOs and Officers to look the other way when soldiers of a minority violate regulations and laws because of the stigma of the EO complaint that invariably immoderately follows any such charge. Doesn't have to be true, doesn't have to have any merit - just the complaint and the NCO or Officer will thereafter be scrutinized severely for every action.

Everything from braids, to make-up, to disrespect are overlooked regularly when committed by soldiers of color. I'm retired I have no one to whom I answer I can tell the truth I've seen it morph over the years to damn near impotence to correct minorities.
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CSM Thomas McGarry
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So CSM I guess you would be equally appalled if a white Army Officer displayed a Confederate Flag in some fashion-A flag that represents slavery and racism to some
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SSG Security Specialist
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Edited 8 y ago
OK ... here is another view. It makes NO difference in what they intended the picture to be! It is the perception of what the picture means. I don't' care if its 1 of 16 or so photos. I don't care how hard life is/was on them. They are about to Graduate West Point which means they should be able to over come obstacles. An Perception is Reality!! Graduates from West Point are promoted first. West Point Graduates usually go on to Lead the Military. What would you say if it had been a bunch of young white male cadets all holding up Confederate flags? Their would be an OUTCRY to shake al of capital hill. The President would probably be on TV saying they had been removed from West Point. Stop dancing around the issue. What they did was wrong, offensive, ill-conceived, stupid and against regulation.

I personally, As a Military Member, find the photo offensive.
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CSM Thomas McGarry
CSM Thomas McGarry
8 y
As offensive as I'm sure some minority members of the military find the Confederate flag to be-SSG I believe U R the one "dancing" around this issue. These have been several pictures posted on this blog of white cadets and Gen. Demsey with a raised fist yet you seem to be fixated on this picture
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CW4 C-12 Pilot
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Only if dressed as the ghosts of Christmas past (see Citadel cadets for reference). But seriously, when the folks waving the rebel flag are yelling N***** go back where you came from and the South Will Rise again (real life) it might be understandable why many people take a issue with the 'pride' thing . . .
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MSG Mechanic 2nd
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why is this still out there even flournoy is gone
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LTC Joseph George
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Well there is officially no discipline, honor, self esteem, accountability, responsibility, good order or quality leadership at West Point. http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/05/11/16-west-point-cadets-raised-fist-photo-wont-be-punished.html?ESRC=army-a_160511.nl. This article shows how the superintendent cowered, was afraid to do the right thing in disciplining these cadets, it shows how the Army has become a less than quality service in which to serve. Liberalism has infected the Army so bad that leadership and regulations mean nothing. You can thank the press, the administration, congress, and a lack of concern from the leadership at West Point to do the right thing and stand firm on the core beliefs of the service. The West Point superintendent should be relieved, busted to the rank of 2LT and retired. I am appalled.
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CW4 C-12 Pilot
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Then he'd also have to discipline the entire class of 2019 for making the same gesture in uniform. And everyone at the Beat Navy rally. And himself . . .
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LTC Joseph George
LTC Joseph George
8 y
Then lets rid the nation of its defense force, as discipline and good order are the mainstay with the core values;
Loyalty. Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. constitution, the Army, and other soldiers. ...
Duty. Fulfill your obligations. ...
Respect. Rely upon the golden rule. ...
Selfless Service. Put the welfare of the nation, the Army, and your subordinates before your own. ...
Honor. ...
Integrity. ...
Personal Courage.
You see if these mean nothing to the leadership, the new and upcoming leaders, then we do not need West Point, nor a military force. We can transcend into chaos and never move forward like we have in the past. They all should be disciplined as all the other soldiers were for making such statements. Right, wrong or indifferent, the good order has been placed in the background and it has led to poor decision making and no accountability or responsibility for ones actions. Damn the regulations, rules and laws, soon we will have nothing to worry about.
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Terri Sirois
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They do not deserve to graduate and become our future Officers. Now lets examine who is the racist???
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Maj Rob Drury
Maj Rob Drury
8 y
Nothing at all racist about it. More importantly, it's not a question of what they "deserve;" it's an issue of qualifications. A senior academy cadet within days of commission should be expected to possess a level of judgement far superior to that shown in this incident. Lives and mission are dependent upon it.
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SSG UH-60 Helicopter Repairer
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BLM isn't a hate group it was created because Cops used last resort first but other cases it wasn't used even when the fuy killed 9 they walked him out with a bullet proof vest. I don't endorse racism, I been in 15.5 yrs and served beside ppl of many backgrounds. Plus being from Alabama and act up in School and the teacher pop yo ass ppl didn't care of the color you just get yo ass whoop because the "Teacher" whoop yo butt.
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CSM Thomas McGarry
CSM Thomas McGarry
8 y
You know what kills me about BLM? Over 95% of the murders committed against black citizens were committed by other blacks yet that movement seen to be entirely silent about those killings. Any time a citizen is wrongly killed by a police officer it certainly should concern everyone but in the grand scheme of things it happens much less often than the other types of murders.
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CW4 C-12 Pilot
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CSM Thomas McGarry - Many see and hear what they want from BLM. Part of the discussion is the absence of urgency to address those black on black crimes as well. Essentially, the societal message that black lives are literally 'worth less' than others. Of course that broader conversation is drowned out as the media loves a food fight and the political poles just love a fight!
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