Is it wrong to show respect to a combat veteran who served for 10 years, but received a dishonorable discharge?

SFC Dan Thomsen - I second that emotion, but something about this story that doesn't sound right. A piece of the puzzle is missing IMO only. Justice is not always right in the civilian world, and I suppose it can happen in the military as well, as for respecting him, bottom line, go for it, it's your decision, and i respect that.

The story doesn't pass the smell test, In my opinion!

There is a difference between a career and an act. I've had several dealings with officers that didn't realize that rank doesn't make the man. I got out a Cpl., because I turned a company around and it embarrassed the company commander. As a 2531 (radio) Cpl., I should have NO pull in an Arty battery. They gave me all of the Sad Sacks, Beetle Bailys, etc., all were Arty marines, to populate my RADIO platoon. I grew them into the Marines they joined the USMC to be. I taught them how to use radios, how to carry themselves as Marines. After a while, Tank Co. Commanders that needed radio men for Desert Games came directly to me/us for whatever they needed. With free weekends, I was slapped with a case worthy of "Office Hours", by my C co., because I was not on base on a Saturday, and my Sgt. Stripes were withheld. I got out 19 days later. No, you don't have to be drunk or insubordinate to be betrayed by a jealous or self-hating officer.

I wonder what generals daughter this officer was stuffing

I was taught you salute teh rank not the man. A man in civies has no obligation to salute an officer in Civies, Nor does he have to salute an officer in uniform.

I don't know. It certainly sounds plausible to me. Striking a superior officer is a very serious offence regardless of circumstances. My guess is that they were both drunk at the time. I've seen people court martialed for less.

SPC John Tacetta context is everything. I’m sure there are a lot more details than just this guy punched that guy. Which is my whole point.

I had an NCO who jumped into Grenada with the rangers. Rumor was he got kicked out of ranger battalion for striking an officer. He went on to serve with the 82nd in desert storm and retired as a master sergeant.

In my days, the soldier has the option to take a non-judicial decision (if appropriate) or a court martial. Sometimes charges are dropped if a CM is selected. However, when taking your chance with a CM and found guilty, the punishment is more severe.

lets not forget that all Military services have a zero Tolerance for any type of ALCOHOL ABUSE, the fact he was under the Influence of Alcohol did not help him one Bit. that is what most likely got him his dishonorable Discharge, a good defense could defend him against everything else, but not being under the influence of Alcohol

CPO Kurt Baschab - You know something, was said officer drunk too, he was in civies, and said officer didn't have anything else to do but tell another person in civies to salute him, chain of command or not. In 20 yrs. of service, I've seen my share of officers thumping their chest, in civies saying the same thing this officer did, in civies you are supposed to show your military I.D. to back you up. Doesn't sound like that happen.

SSG Raul Alaniz - Sadly we will never know what type of Punishment if any the Officer Received, for the Simple Fact the Officer never tell you what type of punishment they receive, it very rare for enlisted members to see or hear of the Punishments' handed out to JO, for the simple fact the Officer want to keep it in house.

For a Officer to be publicly punished in front of his command, it would have to be very very Serious Offense, otherwise it handled by his Chain of Command, much the same way it is handle for enlisted personal, with one minor exception, the Enlisted personal do not see the Officer being Punished, this is done, in order to maintain Good order and Discipline.

do not mis-understand, there are times that a JO, or enlisted person should be punished publicly , in order to set a example , to prevent future In Fraction, of Good Order and Discipline, but lets be honest most minor In Fractions are handle privately, as for a JO that goes around demanding everyone Give him a hand Salute , that up to a Good Senior Enlisted person to educate the JO , on when and where this should be done. sadly in todays World, a Officer making this kind of Demands, is drawing Un-wanted attention to himself and other military personal, this could be very Dangerous, in todays war on Terror, the Battle field is everywhere.

to be honest, I Believe a simple Greeting of the day, should be all that is required, but my beliefs or what I want, do not factor in.

seriously when in Civilian Attire, a simple Greeting of the day would Draw less attention, and is still showing a simple common Courtesy, and Respect without drawing Un-Necessary Attention to oneself or others.

as for the Original comment, I agree with many others, there most likely more to the Story, just be Glad it not your Story.

PS: if you want to show him a common Courtesy and Respect, that up to you. just be careful. until you know his story better, be very careful. do not let him or anyone else that a scum bag, or a Potential Dirtbag drag you down.

sadly We Have to Remember Two Type of Personal RISE TO THE TOP, to Leadership Position, we have the FIRST TYPE,
CREAM OF THE CROP, this is what we all hope we have as leaders and what we all should ASPIRE TO BE THE Best of the Best.

then we have the Second Type , SCUM it to finds a way to RISE UP THOUGH THE RANKS, INTO LEADERSHIP POSTION'S.
stay away from the SCUM, Do not Become SCUM, this type of Leader can teach you what not to be . so be careful. do not let your story become part of the SCUM.