Report: Pentagon PAYS pro-sports teams to HONOR our military at events.

Cpl Anthony Pearson — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 10:32:14 -0500

I just read this news and it absolutely disgusted me. If this is indeed true, it is a total waste of tax payer money, and a betrayal of trust and patriotism towards our men and women in uniform.

Nice try, everyone. But if you are going to FAKE it and PAY FOR IT, we would rather NOT see or hear it.

Jerks.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-pentagon-soldiers-pro-games-20151104-story.html

Pentagon spends millions paying pro sports teams to honor soldiers at games

The Pentagon and National Guard paid professional sports teams to publicly honor soldiers at sporting events , according to a Senate oversight report released Wednesday that labeled the practice &ldquo;inappropriate and frivolous.&rdquo;

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 10:33 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 10:33:43 -0500

Pays them??? What a load of crap. They should feel honored to do it, and not want to be paid.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 10:41 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 10:41:07 -0500

I can believe it! I played in the Marine Corps band we played for several sporting events. Usually recruiting command would sponsor it! I think its outrageous that the government would have to pay a profession team to honor troops! Just sad!

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 10:53 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 10:53:17 -0500

Business as usual .... seriously ... it is business. Either way, money will spend on them.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Nov 5 at 2015 10:59 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 10:59:39 -0500

I think this is a misconception. These things are designed as recruiting events, specifically for the Army, not to honor troops. The perception may be honor, but the intent is to put the name and uniform of the Army out there. The NFL isn't being paid to honor troops, they are being paid to use their field and TV time.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 5 at 2015 11:05 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:05:11 -0500

It's been reported and even discussed here in another thread. It's vile the fact this is being done. And goes to show not everything is what it appears to be. That mystery troop who "suddenly" comes home? Or miraculously on leave at the right time?

Surprise Military Reunions At NFL Games Reach Peak Bullshit

During last weekend’s preseason St. Louis Rams game, a familiar ritual played out: With a stadium full of fans and a television audience watching, Rams cheerleader Candace Ruocco Valentine was surprised by the arrival of her husband August Valentine, a Marine Corps first lieutenant, who had just returned home from service abroad.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Nov 5 at 2015 11:07 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:07:46 -0500

If this has been the process in the past and it can be proven that it results in new enlistments, it could be worth it. However, that is giving way too much credit to the DOD. You can bet that most of these contracts are given to companies that will hire the same people that authorize the spending.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 11:29 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:29:56 -0500

This one strikes close to me. We conduct local events that are similar in order to rally support and share the message. Typically we fund events (booth space, banners, parking). It is a stretch to say we bought patriotism as these events often happen without payments. Only the high visibility dates require payment. While I would love to be offered free venues schools are often faced with funding challenges (not colleges or the NFL/NBA/MLB).

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 12:30 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 12:30:38 -0500

It's ridiculous they have to be paid to do this! It's not like they don't make enough money already.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 1:09 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 13:09:21 -0500

I for one am fine with the Pentagon doing this. I can tell you that never in my 18+ years of service have I felt more appreciated than I do today. The Pentagon paying these funds to these teams results in us and our service being highlighted in front of millions of spectators each and every event and it results in increased patriotism. Have you turned on the news lately? How much do you hear about the war and what our troops are doing right this minute in Iraq, Afghanistan and all the other places out there. I'm telling you right now, the average American would forget us overnight...especially those that don't live in a military community...if it wasn't for publicity that is provided through venues like sporting events. In my opinion, it is good for us and keeps us relevant in the average, self-absorbed American's life. If they stop this practice, all of us will "disappear" in a matter of years. Mark my words....

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 1:52 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 13:52:28 -0500

If you have to pay someone to show respect and patriotism, then that is just a crock of scheisse to me.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 1:54 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 13:54:22 -0500

I read the report and do not think DoD should be paying this money. These sports teams should do it because it is the right thing to do.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 1:59 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 13:59:40 -0500

I'm not for or against the practice, but I can't believe that these multi-million dollar generating sports teams would accept even a piddly-to-them $20k when showing patriotism costs absolutely nothing.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 2:47 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:47:55 -0500

Propaganda is advertising

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Nov 5 at 2015 2:57 PM

SSG Todd Halverson — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:57:45 -0500

Very disgusted that the teams had to be paid to support us.

Response by SSG Thomas Gallegos made Nov 5 at 2015 3:04 PM

SSG Thomas Gallegos — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:04:51 -0500

I was surprised and ticked off when I heard about it. It's a recruiting tool yet one that I believe would still get recruits even if the DoD didn't pay for it.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Nov 6 at 2015 10:17 PM

PO2 Peter Klein — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 22:17:21 -0500

The San Diego Padres bring in Marines for Sunday home games at no charge. I would like to see them expand this to include Navy personnel. This should be the example for all professional sports teams and leagues.

Response by Rhonda Likins made Nov 8 at 2015 9:19 PM

Rhonda Likins — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 21:19:25 -0500

If Pentagon and National Guard would be transparent and say it is actually for recruitment purposes, that might be ok. But why would DoD need to hide that, when they openly pay for TV, radio and internet recruitment ads? What else would the military gain by paying NFL teams for the recognition?