President Obama & Army wedding ... your thoughts?

PO1 Michael Fullmer — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 20:11:02 -0500

Obama... no wonder the military hates this knuckle-head. Only recently posting on multiple news site, after turning down a wedding invitation from 2 Army Capt.'s who were getting married at one of the most picturesque golf courses on the big island, and only hours before the wedding the happy couple receives a note telling them that they would have to re-locate the wedding as his highness was intending to play a round at that very same course at that very same time... comments/concerns?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2014 8:21 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 20:21:43 -0500

Do you have a link to this story, PO1 Michael Fullmer. It's not just President Obama who snarls traffic (and everything else) when he travels or visits a place. All presidents do that. You can't "blame that" on President Obama ... It's a Secret Service thing: They are going to do everything in their power to ensure the president is safe, and if that means "clearing" a golf course for him to play, then that will happen. I'm sure it has happened before President Obama and will happen after President Obama.

Do you have a link to the story?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2014 8:38 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 20:38:04 -0500

I highly doubt that President Obama was aware of what was going on, but now that he does after the fact I hope the couple get more than a simple apology. The President needs to make this right.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2014 10:21 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 22:21:56 -0500

He did call and apologize to them. I guess my biggest thing is whomever scheduled the Presidents golf outing could've checked to see if there was any major event it would interrupt. There has to be more than one golf course that is cleared for the President to play on in Hawaii. Other than that...situation sucked it is what it is

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Dec 29 at 2014 10:43 PM

SFC A.M. Drake — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 22:43:27 -0500

Why would you call the President a knucklehead? Or any President for that matter?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2014 10:51 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 22:51:16 -0500

Despite what anybody thinks of the president's policies and politics, I highly doubt he has any blame for this. Somebody found it was easier to tell a couple of soldiers to move their wedding than it was to ask his boss to tell the president that the golf course was booked, and ask Mr. President what he wanted to do about it. Somebody who is probably sitting in a hotseat right now. You don't make a decision that the President of the US of A has to apologize for, without getting lit up... Just my take on it.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 30 at 2014 1:25 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 01:25:51 -0500

The only thing that comes to mind is......."FORE!"

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 1:28 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 01:28:13 -0500

May I remind all that it is against military regulations as well as everyday professionalism to disparage the commander in chief. This article is closest to fact without editorial. Words like knucklehead are disrespectful let alone counter to good order and discipline. Think before you post please. http://www.mediaite.com/tv/i-feel-terrible-obama-calls-military-couple-to-apologize-for-wedding-snafu/

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 1:51 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 01:51:47 -0500

It was only a round of golf versus a milestone in the lives of two service members. When he learned it was a wedding he could have simply done something else.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Dec 30 at 2014 7:21 AM

SFC A.M. Drake — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 07:21:27 -0500

Really Micheal? -30 for calling you out on the current CIC. Shame on you dude, as I would like to think of all the younger SM's is probably thinking the same thing...thank you for setting the example.....Er not!

Response by SSG John Erny made Dec 30 at 2014 12:50 PM

SSG John Erny — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 12:50:39 -0500

Check your fire people please. If you have ever worked around the secret service they charge in and do as they please. I think it best we no longer talk about the POTUS on RP. Take it to face book but note here.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 1:19 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 13:19:42 -0500

This is just bad optics all around...

Response by SSG Jeffrey Spencer made Dec 30 at 2014 1:50 PM

SSG Jeffrey Spencer — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 13:50:27 -0500

You should see the GC books at JB Andrews. The course is losing money since Obama plays there so much. Folks are not even scheduling tee times they've bend booted so many times. Morale at the GC is low.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 2:11 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 14:11:23 -0500

While I won't post my personal opinion on the POTUS, I highly doubt he was made aware of the situation until after the fact. Chances are the arrangements were made by the White House staff and was a failure on the golf course in question to notify the staff of the event and other arrangements could have been made without moving the wedding (most likely the golf course chose the lesser of two evils, telling the couple to move rather than telling the president no). Props to the POTUS for personally calling the couple, however with the media being as it is and stirring the pot, I'm sure someone will be put in the hot seat for this.

Response by SSG Everett Wilson made Dec 30 at 2014 2:32 PM

SSG Everett Wilson — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 14:32:56 -0500

I responded to this through a local station fb page about how Obama had a dislike for the military and how my senator had taught him well. I was told by a responder to mind my own business.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Dec 30 at 2014 3:46 PM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 15:46:48 -0500

I live in Kailua, which is right next to the Marine Corps base where this took place. First off it wasn't on the Big Island, it was on Oahu. The couple had jokingly invited the President to their wedding, then find out later they got booted from their location because of the President wanting to golf. While this may have been the fault of his staff, to turn down an invitation to a wedding and then to further make them change locations is extremely rude. I'm glad he apologized, but I know if it was my wedding I would be livid.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Dec 30 at 2014 6:02 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 18:02:42 -0500

I wish people would stop using RP to instigate anger against the President for things like this that are blown out of proportion or taken out of context. It's only a few people but still...it just comes off as unprofessional and we don't want that image of RP.

Response by 1SG Mike Case made Dec 30 at 2014 7:59 PM

1SG Mike Case — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 19:59:23 -0500

Unfortunate incident. Just like when a high ranking commander is going to be in an area, there is someone there before him saying things have to be this way and that way and the bottled water must be 44 degrees, slightly chilled and no condensation on the bottle. When the high ranking commander shows up, he makes fun of the bottle of water and had no idea anyone was demanding these things. I can say, without a doubt in my mind, that President Obama was not flying in on Air Force 1 and pointed down and said "Break that wedding up. I want to play golf right there and I will be damn that someone will have a wedding during that time". Some over zealous staff member did it and now it is in the news like he was laughing and did it on purpose. It is obvious that there are people who think it was intentional and nothing anyone else says will make them think otherwise and that is your god given right, but please quit calling it your country. Just like you, we served or are still serving our country and it isn't just yours. If you can't have an adult conversation with another adult, then this is the wrong forum for you. There is nothing wrong with disagreement but name calling should have stopped in middle school.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Dec 30 at 2014 9:45 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 21:45:01 -0500

Well, I saw it on the news, the report is he didn't know of it and was very apologetic. He called them during their vows and it turned out to be a once in a lifetime opportunity to talk with. He was very sincere and genuine in my opinion.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 9:53 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 21:53:29 -0500

The wedding couple in question were told in advance, when they contracted that part of the golf course to be their wedding venue, that is is possible that the President could be playing as he was headed to Hawaii with his family for vacation. That being said, it is not the only time the President and other President's have played on that golf course. So anytime there is some special function that someone has planned, it's written in to the contract or agreement that it's possible one may have to relocate for said reasons, the President plays golf.

Given the fact that Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course is on a Marine base. The golf staff, upgraded the couples location from the 16th hole, to a much better view and would have cost more. So there is no conspiracy here, (waves hand across l to r) "this isn't the wedding couple you're looking for"

**edited to change "to the 16th hole, from a much better" - again my brain and fingers not syncing correctly*

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 12:36 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 00:36:04 -0500

Stop hating in public

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 10:03 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 10:03:36 -0500

"Move a wedding"? on the day of the big event? These venues have to be locked in at least a year prior (sometimes more).
As long as the powers that be gave this hapless young couple a viable alternative and the ability to notify their guests in time, it will be a great story to tell their grandchildren.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Dec 31 at 2014 10:44 AM

SGT Michael Glenn — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 10:44:59 -0500

Was his trip funded by tax payers??? did he misuse government materials ( air support) were taxpayers dollars used to Rent the entire course for that day??? These are issues that need to be addressed and dealt with, in the past other pres's have been thrown to the wolves for the very same thing.He sucks hind weenie for doing this to that couple too, but I think he sucks all together anyways so maybe Im a bit biased?

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Dec 31 at 2014 11:07 AM

TSgt Kevin Buccola — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 11:07:54 -0500

You cannot pin this on the President. He did not call the country club and make his tee-time. You have to blame his staff and that country club for this embarrassment. I am not a fan of this President but again this is not his fault.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 11:33 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 11:33:14 -0500

I'm sorry that they had to change their wedding plans because of the Presidents itineray - I had to change mine as well 23 years ago because of the minister having a scheduling issue. Things happen. What if it had rained that day - they would have had to revert to plan b.

It is my understanding that he did call them and apolgize and how many people can say that the President of the United States crashed their wedding.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Dec 31 at 2014 1:53 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 13:53:13 -0500

Okay like I said on another social media site, President Obama did not know until after the fact. The Secret Service has their protocols and unfortunately it caused a disruption of the wedding. However, once President Obama learned of the issue he called to apologize and wish the newlyweds congratulations on their nuptials. He did not have to do that but he did as the President and as a human being. These two captains now can brag they have one hell of a wedding story.

Response by SGT Brian Watkins made Dec 31 at 2014 3:38 PM

SGT Brian Watkins — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 15:38:41 -0500

Well considering he is the POTUS/ CIC, both discretion and security of his movements are paramount. The White House Staff/ Aids could have avoided the scheduling fiasco, but the President didn't seem to even know they where there. Do you honestly think he personally reads/ responds to every letter like Santa Clause? Maybe he could have waited an hour, maybe not... but from the couples comments on the matter they were pleased with both the new location of the wedding (seems it was better than the first), and the apology from the POTUS himself (who didn't have to call). My thoughts on this matter run in the realm of who gives a crap because we have more important things to worry about, and the drooling media should probably report on such instead of acting like a High School gossip girl. OMG, did you see the shoes he was wearing with THAT shirt? Probably a FIS Agent too, lol.

Response by SGT William Howell made Dec 31 at 2014 4:11 PM

SGT William Howell — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 16:11:46 -0500

For Reagan you bet, for Obama you better plan on playing through.

Response by Sgt Jason West made Dec 31 at 2014 4:11 PM

Sgt Jason West — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 16:11:19 -0500

From what I have seen/heard the POTUS knew nothing of it. His people and the golf course should have discussed this when making arrangments. Either the course said nothing (their fault) or his people pulled rank. Either way it should and could have been handled better but it's not something the POTUS is directly responsible for.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 6:36 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 18:36:38 -0500

The two people in question (getting married) are in the military, so they should know better than anyone else that the President goes to Hawaii every December for his vacation. Not sure what location the wedding/golf course was, but if it was anywhere near the Windward side of the island (West), rack up their wedding being interrupted/disrupted due to piss poor planning on THEIR part.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Dec 31 at 2014 7:14 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 19:14:42 -0500

PO1 Michael Fullmer You are retired, and have the ability to speak your mind. This however is a largely military (would be happy if it were 100%) but largely military crowd. I find it reprehensible when anyone affiliated with military straight up bashes on the President. With all due respect to your opinion, take that crap elsewhere.

There are a tremendous amount of young SMs on the site. If they see "us" as some of the older guys acting in this manner, it becomes acceptable, and quite frankly it is not.

It is one thing to have an opinion on something, quite another to disrespect the Office by tossing derogatory names.

Respectfully

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 11:03 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 23:03:05 -0500

All i see is an ignorant racists with no facts about what really happened you should be kicked out of this forum.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 11:23 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 23:23:59 -0500

I do not dare say anything. I keep my opinions to myself and express them to no one. I try to advise people to take this route to maintain their professionalism. I'm in Boston on vacation and was approached be people wanting to impeach Obama and that he was going to start WWIII and other non-sense. Took everything I had not to tell them off. I simply put in my headphones and kept walking.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2015 1:19 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 01:19:30 -0500

It could have been worse.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/31/afghanistan-wedding-attack_n_6401574.html

Also I think that if I received a phone call from the POTUS that that would make the day more memorable. Also being moved to another location that had better views is also optimal, not having to come out of pocket for it. They found out the night before as well.

Police: Rocket Kills 26 At Wedding Party In Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A rocket fired amid fighting between Taliban insurgents and Afghan soldiers killed at least 26 people at a nearby wedding party Thursday, authorities said, a grim end t

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2015 8:49 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 08:49:05 -0500

For everyone that is saying we are or were in the military and must then give respect to the the President. You are not fully correct. As you can see from the original post the author is a retiree and is able to voice what he wants about who he wants.

As far as using this site as the forum for it...maybe not the best choice. But don't try to say this is a purely professional site. Some of the discussions that happen are not all that professional.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Jan 1 at 2015 4:59 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 16:59:05 -0500

A few thoughts:
- Wedding invitation. Not a surprise that any President would RSVP regrets to a wedding invitation of two individuals that he had never met even if both individuals are service members.
- Wedding relocation. Reports I have seen are that POTUS did not know about the relocation until after his golf and the wedding were complete. I normally question media reports but this makes sense. Does anyone really believe that POTUS gets to that level of detail for a gold round or is it more likely that he says "I want to go golfing on such and such date time group at this location" and that his staff and the secret service make it happen?
- POTUS Upon Notifiation. Reports are that POTUS personally called the couple and apologized. Can be argued that POTUS did not have to do this and could have delegated it. Argues well that he did it personally.
- I am not normally an Obama supporter but there are bigger fish to fry than this and for far better reasons. The outrage in this case does not match the facts as I understand them.

Response by PV2 Abbott Shaull made Jan 1 at 2015 5:10 PM

PV2 Abbott Shaull — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 17:10:38 -0500

I would rather agree that this isn't the proper forum to address such issue in this way. Granted I don't agree with the current Administration on a lot of issues myself, but I do try to keep it respectable, due to the fact that he is in fact the Commander-in-Chief until he leaves Offices. Don't have respect him as a person, but we should respect the Office he holds, regardless of the lack of respect he tends to show towards the Military and people serving in Military Uniforms.

Granted that retirees and Veterans aren't serving, they should respect the fact that others who will be tempted to respond to their postings are. No sense of baiting someone who is now serving into saying something that they should be while on duty.

Getting little tired of the everyone calling him, "His highness". Let not forget that when there were mess of Republicans back in 2009 that got pressured into passing the bill, and proved something, that people outside of Washington had be suspecting for years. That many of the people passing these bills, and even the President, rarely read what they were passing and signing. Making a mockery of the Constitution as it was written. He not the only President to enact laws and what not, without consulting Congress first. Now with that said, he both him and members of both parties in both the House and Senate would get off their darn high horse, and start working together to make laws that work for the U.S., and not laws, that harm the working class of America, or what is left of it. It would be a great thing.

As for him pressing on for his Golf game, well the Golf Course should of told him sorry, he had to change his T-time. Or go to another Golf Course, that simple. Then again that is just me, I don't buy this the President comes into town, and everyone caters to him. When this couple has had their wedding planned for months. When we teach our kids to do the right thing, and here the President of U.S. is using his Position in abusive way. Kinda hard to explain why it alright for the President of the United States to take some one planned special moment. I guess if the Pope came along and wanted to hold Mass on the 18th hole before he finish his game, he would be allowed to start too.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2015 7:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 19:15:06 -0500

I had to look up the definition of "lunacy" and I see the proper place for that word. To blame everything and anything on the President is lunacy. Something tells me this is never gonna end but morph into something else.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2015 8:53 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 20:53:31 -0500

I have never seen more blatant disrespect for any CINC than I have against this current administration---and it's by US service members!! If you wear a camoflauge uniform with two name tapes, you gave up the right to called the POTUS a "knuckle head" regardless of your opinion of him----I won't comment on the post because we all know what happened.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Jan 1 at 2015 9:54 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 21:54:10 -0500

So i read this article and he called them and apologized. The golf course moved there wedding to a better part of the golf course with a better view. They made the best of the situation it is not ideal to move the place you planned on the day of your wedding but it happened and the got a better deal. Honestly i could care less and why are people upset when this did not effect them the Couple was okay with what happened.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2015 8:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 20:14:19 -0500

well.....this is the dumbest post ever

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jan 3 at 2015 5:07 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 05:07:48 -0500

The President should have invited the newlyweds for a round of golf. I hear the President is rather good at golf. Whether I like of dislike the current policies in place, I love to play against him in a round of golf.

Response by CPT Brian Kent, PhD made Jan 3 at 2015 10:48 AM

CPT Brian Kent, PhD — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 10:48:07 -0500

There are two things here that don't make sense and the press has blow this out of proportion. One I concur this POTUS has some bone heads working his staff. He should clean house around him. Having worked with POTUS teams first hand, the President has no clue what is happening out in front of him a majority of the time. He has an event on his calendar that he wants to do and the staff move out and say yes boss. My understanding was he called them to apologize after he found out and the resort also gave them an upgraded wedding location for their inconvenience.
Two why didn't someone on the team think enough about the political backlash in this to question what was happening. It seems that there is no thought by the Chief of Staff or immediate team to try to minimize his public embarrassment. All of us Veterans remember AARs and SOPs. It seems this would be a pretty good place for them to begin in trying to get better.

Response by SPC Stephanie Oanes made Jan 3 at 2015 1:31 PM

SPC Stephanie Oanes — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 13:31:16 -0500

First off, this discussion starts off with disrespect, "knuckle-head." Granted, I'm not a huge Obama supporter but I'm not going to diss the POTUS on a military discussion board. Obama called the newlyweds afterwards and apologized and wished them a happy marriage. At least he did that, he didn't have to.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2015 2:57 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 14:57:25 -0500

I think we need to respect the position, even if you don't respect rhe person...in this case. A retiree is earning a check from the government and therefore should conical uphold the high standards of an officer or SNCOS or CPO. I've personally never heard of anyone losing their retirement after the fact, but there is no doubt somewhere there is some fine print that the government can take it away.

I'm not sure Why RP Admin doesn't edit this comment, I've had a few of my comments edited...leaving it there condones bad behavior. Shouldn't that be policy, If a comment will cause racial tension, a message is sent to OP that their comment was deemed offensive or violates the standards of RP? I believe a private scolding is better than a public one.

This was unprofessional, on both sides.

This is a PR nightmare...his staffers should of informed him that two Army Captains were getting married...if they had, I'm sure he would of waited...or played around them. Either way, his apology was given, albeit weak, but he acquiesced...an honorable thing to doo.

Response by Cpl Peter Martuneac made Jan 4 at 2015 12:32 AM

Cpl Peter Martuneac — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 00:32:13 -0500

I seriously doubt he knew there was a wedding going on and that his people forced them to move, as evidenced by his phone call to them.

Response by PFC Jim Mills made Jan 4 at 2015 2:00 AM

PFC Jim Mills — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 02:00:53 -0500

Can you say arrogant