Posted on Aug 22, 2014
Feelings on displaying the Confederate flag on your POV or person while on a military installation?
370K
2.13K
957
111
111
0
Recently, I had a long and heated discussion with a fellow veteran about this issue. I don't know for sure whether a branch-specific reg or a DoD-wide reg exists that prohibits/allows personnel on a military installation to display the Confederate flag on their personal vehicle or on their person (e.g. a belt buckle). Maybe this is a base-specific policy and left to the judgment of the installation commander. Display of the Confederate flag is a divisive issue and people often feel really strongly one way or the other. But today, it is still a relevant topic and touches on other military leadership/discipline areas, including the actions of one member deeply offending another member -- regardless of whether said action is legal/authorized. That can create huge problems in a military unit, and this happened in a unit I personally served in. So, below are my questions for the RallyPoint community about this issue.
Please try to keep comments professional (don't attack one another) and explain your thoughts as best you can.
Questions:
(1) How do you feel about the Confederate flag being displayed on the vehicle/person of a service member if he/she is ON post? How does your opinion change if the member is OFF post?
(2) What does the Confederate flag symbolize to you personally? What do you think it can symbolize to other people around you who may perceive it differently?
(3) If you have personally experienced a military-related situation where a symbol/flag caused someone to be offended, what happened and what did you/would you have done as the leader?
I look fwd to everyone's thoughts on this. Personally, I have some strong feelings about this issue, though I don't want to bias people's answers upfront. Please be as honest as possible.
Tag: SSG Emily Williams Col (Join to see) 1SG Steven Stankovich SSG Scott Williams 1LT Sandy Annala CPT (Join to see) SSG V. Michelle Woods MSG Carl Cunningham
Please try to keep comments professional (don't attack one another) and explain your thoughts as best you can.
Questions:
(1) How do you feel about the Confederate flag being displayed on the vehicle/person of a service member if he/she is ON post? How does your opinion change if the member is OFF post?
(2) What does the Confederate flag symbolize to you personally? What do you think it can symbolize to other people around you who may perceive it differently?
(3) If you have personally experienced a military-related situation where a symbol/flag caused someone to be offended, what happened and what did you/would you have done as the leader?
I look fwd to everyone's thoughts on this. Personally, I have some strong feelings about this issue, though I don't want to bias people's answers upfront. Please be as honest as possible.
Tag: SSG Emily Williams Col (Join to see) 1SG Steven Stankovich SSG Scott Williams 1LT Sandy Annala CPT (Join to see) SSG V. Michelle Woods MSG Carl Cunningham
Regulation
Policy
Respect
Confederate Flag
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 325
0
0
0
The Confederate Flag is the symbol of those who chose to secede from the United States in order to prevent the loss of their slave labor.
In other words DEMOCRATS.
Personally I wouldn’t cross the street and would step over rather than piss on a democrat politician to put them out of on fire.
Democrat voters are those who have never bothered to pull the wool (or perhaps I should say cotton) off their eyes or out of their ears while listening to the constant drone of the democrat mosquito which carries in it the poison of racial division and identity politics.
So no. Fuck the confederate flag.
Too many men died defending for and against slavery to maintain that symbol.
I think that if I started printing toilet paper with the confederate flag embossed or emblazoned on it then I should make my fortune.
That piece of asswipe belongs in a museum focusing on the evils of war and slavery rather than in public.
I forgive those ignorant of its history and understand the why of its appeal to even non racists.
Amen to that.
In other words DEMOCRATS.
Personally I wouldn’t cross the street and would step over rather than piss on a democrat politician to put them out of on fire.
Democrat voters are those who have never bothered to pull the wool (or perhaps I should say cotton) off their eyes or out of their ears while listening to the constant drone of the democrat mosquito which carries in it the poison of racial division and identity politics.
So no. Fuck the confederate flag.
Too many men died defending for and against slavery to maintain that symbol.
I think that if I started printing toilet paper with the confederate flag embossed or emblazoned on it then I should make my fortune.
That piece of asswipe belongs in a museum focusing on the evils of war and slavery rather than in public.
I forgive those ignorant of its history and understand the why of its appeal to even non racists.
Amen to that.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
The US flag flew far longer over states that had slaves than the Confederate flag did. It was the northerners of New England who were some of the biggest slavers long before the Civil War under the the US flag when slavery was legal throughout the states.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
CPT,
The Confederate flag is a symbol if rebellion against these United States. It is not a symbol of American culture.
American culture is small government and Independence from same. Freedom has it's limits, or you have Anarchy.
I realize, the Confederate flag started over States rights. Again, Freedom has limits.
A lot of people see it has a symbol of oppression. It is, in a way a symbol of oppression. Therefore, it should be placed into history where it belongs. We don't have to destroy everything to change history. For example, we don't destroy Italy because it enslaved the world.
In America's military, now, we judge by action. Not color. This is what JFK, MLF and RFK stood for. Let us set the example for our fellow citizens and the world.
Have good evening CPT.
The Confederate flag is a symbol if rebellion against these United States. It is not a symbol of American culture.
American culture is small government and Independence from same. Freedom has it's limits, or you have Anarchy.
I realize, the Confederate flag started over States rights. Again, Freedom has limits.
A lot of people see it has a symbol of oppression. It is, in a way a symbol of oppression. Therefore, it should be placed into history where it belongs. We don't have to destroy everything to change history. For example, we don't destroy Italy because it enslaved the world.
In America's military, now, we judge by action. Not color. This is what JFK, MLF and RFK stood for. Let us set the example for our fellow citizens and the world.
Have good evening CPT.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
First understand, this is a Naval Jack. I have no requirement to accept how activist have tried to redefine historic artifacts. Two, if you allow your emotions to be controlled by this symbol, then you are no longer in control of your emotions. The equals a really bad plan.
Remember not to allow your self to be provoked. The moments after you respond to being provoked, you will often find there was a camera recording you . Often a really less than positive outcome.
DO NOT play the game, there is no way to win.
Remember not to allow your self to be provoked. The moments after you respond to being provoked, you will often find there was a camera recording you . Often a really less than positive outcome.
DO NOT play the game, there is no way to win.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I agree 100%! The confederate flag is a symbolism of the south, it does not represent hate. Even though those spreading hate use it, that is not what it represents. I blame social media and dumbasses. Who by the way wanted all the confiderate general statues taken down. They want history to be erased. Some people are very proud of their state flag, and where they are from. As far as base goes, I wish I had an answer for you. Every base regardless of orginazation is a melting pot of personalities, races and cultures. If your not flying anything Derogatory or vulgar, you should be allowed to display it. But, that is the base commanders desicion.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
First off, good Q/A.
Personally, I don't get offended too easily. When it comes to this flag, it can be offensive to some, especially if there are certain actions that accompany it. To me, it symbolizes racism and hurt that was caused to some of my family members.
It wouldn't matter if a SM was on or off post.
From a leader's point of view, if ANYTHING was displayed that others found offensive, then there is cause to have said item removed as to not disrupt good order and discipline. If any such display distracts from mission accomplishment and lowered moral, then it has no business in the AO.
To ask someone to remove something deemed offensive to others would be the right thing to do. It doesn't mean that someone is being judged or treated differently because of their beliefs. It would mean that someone is now having to work in a hostile environment, making it harder for the organization to be fully mission capable and to complete the mission. We have to learn to be cognizant of our surroundings and understand that there are differences amongst all of us. It's about being a part of a team and doing what's best for all, and not just one.
Personally, I don't get offended too easily. When it comes to this flag, it can be offensive to some, especially if there are certain actions that accompany it. To me, it symbolizes racism and hurt that was caused to some of my family members.
It wouldn't matter if a SM was on or off post.
From a leader's point of view, if ANYTHING was displayed that others found offensive, then there is cause to have said item removed as to not disrupt good order and discipline. If any such display distracts from mission accomplishment and lowered moral, then it has no business in the AO.
To ask someone to remove something deemed offensive to others would be the right thing to do. It doesn't mean that someone is being judged or treated differently because of their beliefs. It would mean that someone is now having to work in a hostile environment, making it harder for the organization to be fully mission capable and to complete the mission. We have to learn to be cognizant of our surroundings and understand that there are differences amongst all of us. It's about being a part of a team and doing what's best for all, and not just one.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
It's a First Amendment issue and the leaders of the post can suspend First Amendment rights for the welfare of the whole.
That being said, I also believe that images of Che Guevara should be banned.
That being said, I also believe that images of Che Guevara should be banned.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
The Civil War WAS NOT ABOUT SLAVERY. It was about session from the union. Why would 4 slave states join the North to fight against the south if it was about slavery. If you and I lived in a southern state and the North invaded our homeland, we would have risen up to protect our homes and family would we not? That is why the confederate flag is important. Many heroes and patriots died under that flag defending their homeland.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Without entering the “confederate” issue discussion specifically; I had another though based on your preamble to the questions:
Regarding the, “...one member deeply offending another...”
Frankly, agree that there are things that are just too hurtful and should not be allowed (like the Confederate flag), but...
How far should this go? To what degree and lengths, hiw for teaching should a policy forbidding “offensive” things be amen?
Just a thought.
Regarding the, “...one member deeply offending another...”
Frankly, agree that there are things that are just too hurtful and should not be allowed (like the Confederate flag), but...
How far should this go? To what degree and lengths, hiw for teaching should a policy forbidding “offensive” things be amen?
Just a thought.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
It only creates a problem when asshole want it too. So you say Soldiers dont have the 1st Amendment rights. I think its time for you to leave the military .
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google