Posted on Oct 4, 2015
I went to the Chow Hall this morning, left pretty pissed off. Would you do the same thing I did?
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My spouse and I went to the gym this morning and had a great workout. After my shower, I went to the DFAC for Sunday morning brunch. spending time with the Soldiers as well as chow was great.
We noticed a couple (probably in early-mid forties) sitting at the next table with three young children (ages estimated at 6, 8, 9)....the children were running all over the place - not being watched or corrected by the either parent....looked like they had been there for quite some time as well because there was food, wrappers, plates all over the place.
I noticed the children playing around the area fallen hero table so I approached the father, I thought I was very restrained - here's what happened:
Me: Sir, do you know what this table is here for?
His reply: "roger, I know the meaning".
Me: Are these your children?
Reply: Yes.
(the children were still running around.....now the youngest was pulling at the fallen hero table cloth)
Me: Are these your children?
Reply: Yes.
Me: Sir, do you truly understand the importance of this display, and understand what it exactly means to all of us within this community?
Reply: Yes
Me: Sir, please get your children under control!
At that point, he grabbed his son and put the child over his shoulder and walked with him back to the table and then turned him lose & let him go back to "roaming" all around the DFAC....next to the stoves and all the other appliances (in the back) which are not so kid friendly!
How would you have handled the situation? Directly? Indirectly (thru the DFAC manager? Ignored the situation completely, (it aint my business).
We noticed a couple (probably in early-mid forties) sitting at the next table with three young children (ages estimated at 6, 8, 9)....the children were running all over the place - not being watched or corrected by the either parent....looked like they had been there for quite some time as well because there was food, wrappers, plates all over the place.
I noticed the children playing around the area fallen hero table so I approached the father, I thought I was very restrained - here's what happened:
Me: Sir, do you know what this table is here for?
His reply: "roger, I know the meaning".
Me: Are these your children?
Reply: Yes.
(the children were still running around.....now the youngest was pulling at the fallen hero table cloth)
Me: Are these your children?
Reply: Yes.
Me: Sir, do you truly understand the importance of this display, and understand what it exactly means to all of us within this community?
Reply: Yes
Me: Sir, please get your children under control!
At that point, he grabbed his son and put the child over his shoulder and walked with him back to the table and then turned him lose & let him go back to "roaming" all around the DFAC....next to the stoves and all the other appliances (in the back) which are not so kid friendly!
How would you have handled the situation? Directly? Indirectly (thru the DFAC manager? Ignored the situation completely, (it aint my business).
Fallen Soldiers
Respect
Disrespect
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 100
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Yes I would have done something but the Army has put so many regulations on raising children not to mention the government that if you do discipline your children that if you do you get in trouble I'm not talking about beating I'm talking about discipline in general one my friends had the MPs called on him because it was abuse for not letting the child do what they want.
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Im old school. As a retired First Sergeant, I would have been all up in it! There are way too many "nice" NCO's on here! And what happened, by the way, to the good ole term "Chow Hall?"
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CSM, I applaud your bearing and tact. I have been out for a while, but the respect due to those who gave all needs to be universal. If guests on our installations are unwilling to act in a manner according to their location, then their current access should be revoked, politely at first, and then with just force if necessary. When I was in, this would have gotten the attention of everyone in the the mess hall, and some of my brothers would have responded after the initial "failure to communicate" with decreasing tact. Again, CSM, I applaud your bearing. Well spoken, and executed with honor.
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I am not sure about the other branches, me being Navy. I know I was responsible for the EDF at Jacksonville for a while being a MS2 at the time assigned as MDMAA. Nothing like this would have been tolerated, one word from me and the CWO would have been on the phone to his (her) Master Chief and writing up the member.
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You handled it excellently, CSM Michael J. Uhlig. We must police ourselves, including our children (in public, especially on post), to maintain the professional culture we have. If I were still active, I would do the same.
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Honestly I'm glad it was you and not me. I have little to no tact and even if they were of higher rank would have been blunt. I probably would have tried to talk to the kid near the table first and explained what it means. You would be surprised how much even young kids understand. If that didn't work I would probably have tried a combination of the two options leaning towards those in charge take charge in light of my lack of tact.
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CSM, I would have done the same thing in addition to contacting management. If that customer whether civilian or military is showing no respect for The Fallen Soldier table or the safety of their own children they can be banned from entering that DFAC.
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I'm fairly sure I would have done something similar, but I would have been extremely sarcastic and belittling to the parents. If there wasn't some recent emotional issue that impeded their ability to exercise good parenting, I would make sure they understood how much of a failure they truly were not only to their selves and their children, but to their organization and the military image as a whole.
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