Posted on Aug 13, 2014
Media and Military say that whatever a soldier does while "Off orders" is still considered "on orders/uniform" by affiliation. Do you agree?
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Now I'm looking at a case in where a NCO committed a crime(a very serious crime and I've personally toured with him), and as I read through the article it mentions the National Guard several times("Oregon National Guard soldier sentenced for sodomy, rape" is the title...).
Now why the hell does the news include his military standing(four times mentioned in this short article and there are a couple other ones on this same subject matter)? When he, for a fact wasn't on orders or in uniform, while he acted in this crime?
The way I see this: is that everyone in the "Oregon Army National Guard" are now rapist, because of this ONE soldier(off duty/orders): why the hell do we all get this darkness of discontent??
Am I wrong for feeling this way and shouldn't this individual be marked as such: an individual(not the organization)?
Article reference "stripes.com" : http://www.stripes.com/news/us/oregon-national-guard-soldier-sentenced-for-sodomy-rape-1.274808
Personal note: he was a shit bag/creep toured and still is apparently one stateside.
Now why the hell does the news include his military standing(four times mentioned in this short article and there are a couple other ones on this same subject matter)? When he, for a fact wasn't on orders or in uniform, while he acted in this crime?
The way I see this: is that everyone in the "Oregon Army National Guard" are now rapist, because of this ONE soldier(off duty/orders): why the hell do we all get this darkness of discontent??
Am I wrong for feeling this way and shouldn't this individual be marked as such: an individual(not the organization)?
Article reference "stripes.com" : http://www.stripes.com/news/us/oregon-national-guard-soldier-sentenced-for-sodomy-rape-1.274808
Personal note: he was a shit bag/creep toured and still is apparently one stateside.
Media
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Crime
Military Life
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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It was always taught to me when I was growing up that the public doesn't see a name tape. They see a uniform. This plays into the stewardship of the profession. The public rusts those who wear the uniform, which ever service uniform it be, to act worthy of trust and to act honorably. Once you are affiliated with a service, you do not have a face. You are that service, you are a spokesperson of that service and the model by which that service will be judged.
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You hit the nail on the head SFC Warden. One of the key words you used was "profession." As professionals, we're held to a higher ethical standard than someone who just has a "job." Professions have codes of ethics, whether it's the Army Values for Soldiers, the Core Values for Airmen, the Hippocratic Oath for doctors, or the Ranger Creed. These codes reflect the fact that the public places their trust in us to wield wisely the power that we have been given and the trust they place in us.
As to why the media like to emphasize a criminal's service history more than any other profession, well... I'll leave that to your judgement, but suffice to say there may be an ax; there may be grinding.
As to why the media like to emphasize a criminal's service history more than any other profession, well... I'll leave that to your judgement, but suffice to say there may be an ax; there may be grinding.
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SGT,
Unfortunately if one is affiliated with an armed service, be it Active, Reserve, Guard, they are a direct reflection to thier organization. This does not matter if they are "off" or not. In addition, news outlets need to make a story better. I feel it is wrong that they have to make that connection, but it sells.
Unfortunately if one is affiliated with an armed service, be it Active, Reserve, Guard, they are a direct reflection to thier organization. This does not matter if they are "off" or not. In addition, news outlets need to make a story better. I feel it is wrong that they have to make that connection, but it sells.
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SGT Smith,
It is not right that the media does this and I think they are two main reason they do this. Reason one money, by submitting articles about service menbers they will target the entire force not the indvudual. The second reason as servicemenber we are the heros of our time we are all held to a higher standard. When someone fails to maintin the stand the meda loves to tear down our heros, it just the nature of the beast.
It is not right that the media does this and I think they are two main reason they do this. Reason one money, by submitting articles about service menbers they will target the entire force not the indvudual. The second reason as servicemenber we are the heros of our time we are all held to a higher standard. When someone fails to maintin the stand the meda loves to tear down our heros, it just the nature of the beast.
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I hate how the media throws the military around when ever one person does something wrong and just happens to have been in the military or is currently serving.
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I served in the National Guard. And I was always told you get paid for 24 hours on duty days. Even if you go home to sleep and return the next day. And if on active duty the same applies. Remember in the Army we were told to live by the seven Army values. And we don’t punch a time clock. As long as your in uniform services. Your a Representative of that service 24 seven. With that said the media and the public look at us the same way.
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Being in the military or any uniformed service for that matter comes with an underlying understanding that you are only as good as the weakest link. While I served they told us all no matter what contract you are on reservist or active duty you are a Marine 24/7. When a person in the military tarnishes his/her name it's a direct reflection of the service that person is affiliated with. We all give up rights when joining the military one of those rights is being judged by the public as an individual. Just like boot camp we all paid the price for the one with our sweat. Is it right probably not but it's not going to change. I've been out since 2001 I garuntee if I screw up tomorrow the headline will read something along the lines of "Marine wanted for...." for any actions I was accused of. As bad as this sounds it makes the story more interesting.
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I had a very interesting first SGT in Basic he was an old timer. He spent time with each Squad in the company during our Cycle. One thing he told us that stuck with me over the last 30 years. The Oath we took coming into the service had NO expiration date and the ARMY was 24/7. So every thing we did should be for the betterment of the service because when we were in public we represented the ARMY and its standards. Even when our enlistment is up we never really leave the ARMY we are still under oath to defend this country and to represent it with pride. That was his last Cycle He retired right after that. Think about that one for a bit and see if it doesn't ring true.
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Wow, everyone of you have very valid points: educating me just a little bit more and I appreciate it.
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