Posted on Sep 16, 2017
SPC Darin Taylor
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
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IMHO yes, especially the ones I had, all were Vietnam vets.
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SGT Mark Halmrast
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Everyone remembers "that one time" when you had gut-dread from your drill that went beyond all other moments.

My moment: after chow and before mail call, our drill stood in front of the platoon, stared us down fir a good few minutes, then said in a tone barely above a whisper, "Fourth platoon...you done pissed me off."

Curse? Not needed for a drill to make his point or to be effective. At least not in my experience.
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1SG Ken Rossi
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I went through basic and AIT in 1971 in B-3-3, Fort Ord, my drills were all Viet Nam vets and ran the gammut from quite and scary to loud, profane and scary. Their focus was to teach you how to survive, those were the most frequent words spoken by the senior drill, DS Johnson, he never cussed, called everybody 'Dick' and spoke low and firm, would walk up to you, place the brim of his hat on your chest (he was about 5'6'') and explain in his growling, gruff voice why your actions would get you killed - and scare the hell out of you. He would say, you listed to us, learn from us and you will go to Viet Nam and live; don't listen to us, don't learn and you will still go to Viet Nam and you will die. That made more of an impression than all the cussing and screaming (which also had an effect). 17 years later I was standing in the checkout line at the commissary at Fort Ord and I heard this gruff, growling voice behind me and he said, "Well Dick, I guess your survived!" He was effective!
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SFC Michael Hasbun
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UCMJ Article 134 - Indecent Language

If a service member communicates indecent language either orally or in writing to another person, then he is violating the provisions of Article 134. Indecent language is covered under paragraph 89 (Article 134) of the Manual for Court Martial.

The text of statute under Article 134 says that all neglects and disorders which are adverse to the discipline and good order in the armed forces, all conducts which can bring discredit to the armed forces and offenses and crimes not capital, can be punished by convening a general, summary or special court martial as the offense demands.

Elements of the offense
1.The accused has communicated with another individual in writing or orally.
2.The language the accused used was indecent.
3.In the circumstances, the behavior of the accused was adverse to the discipline and good order in the armed forces or the nature of the act brought discredit to the armed forces.

Explanation for the elements

'Indecent' language is defined as language which can offend a person's decency, modesty or propriety or is morally shocking because of its filthy, vulgar or disgusting nature or tendency to create lustful thoughts. Language is said to be 'indecent' if it can reasonably incite libidinous thoughts and corrupt morals. Such language should overstep community standards.

Example of how a service member may be convicted for this offense

It is not necessary that a service member communicates indecent language in words. In U.S Vs Green (CAAF 2010), the accused had made the victim come to him on the pretext of removing a bug from the victim's shirt, but instead he grabbed hold of victim's shirt and pulled it down, making an utterance (mmmm-mmmm-mmmm) in the process. The accused argued that the evidence (the use of mmmm-mmmm-mmmm) was factually and legally insufficient to support a charge of indecent language. The accused nevertheless, convicted for the offense of using indecent language along with several others offenses and punished. The lower court (U.S Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals) upheld the sentence and said that it was not necessary that indecent language constitute actual words.

If the armed forces strictly apply the rule book against indecent language, not a day would go by without violations of the provision or service members prosecuted for using explicit words.

Sometimes the service members are only being boisterous and no one seems to mind. Indeed, many 'indecent' words are common expressions and they are not uttered to incite any libidinous thoughts. In most cases, the language is either treated as provoking speech (no provision for bad conduct discharge) or a simple disorder, unless the accused used the words to incite libidinous thoughts in the other person.

It is very hard to punish a person for language that may not be deemed sexual, obscene, racial or even when it might cause a disturbance or fight. Usually the 1SG, SGM, JAG and commander will sit down and go over the practicalities of the case, before the service member is charged.

In U.S Vs Moore (CMA 1994) the court ruled that obscenity was not covered in the right to speech, under the 1 st amendment. What is 'obscene' is also 'indecent' and such language cannot be afforded protection under the constitution. The court noted that the personal relationship between the utterer and the victim could be used to determine whether the language used was indecent.
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SSG Drill Sergeant
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Very much so
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MSG Andrew White
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I THINK I WAS MOST EFFECTIVE WHEN I CAME IN WITH A WHITE WALL HAIR CUT AND BABY OIL SHINING THE SIDE OF MY HEAD!!! THERE WAS GOING TO BE TROUBLE ON THAT DAY!! AND NO SMILING!!!!! LOL
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PFC Petroleum Supply Specialist
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Well technically Under article 134 paragraph 89.. anyone and everyone in uniform is strictly prohibited from calling names and/or cursing. Been a regulation for years yet nobody except a few stellar soldiers follow such a regulation. I'd slap this regulation in my drills face any day bc it just is what it is. Whats the worst that can happen .. couple pushups
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PFC Petroleum Supply Specialist
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Even if he does smoke us for correcting his language per regulation.. thats reprisal which also happens to be punishable under UCMJ.
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SSG Edward Tilton
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I knew several, their vocabularies were great
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SFC Steve M.
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Haha... of course!!!
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SFC Steve M.
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Of course, I however was never able to not use profanity. Despite my best efforts!!
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