Posted on Jun 20, 2015
Scenario:Field Exercise. What do you do if your troops do not want to shower with an openly gay male who acts very ostentatious? Exception?
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What Would You Do
Posted >1 y ago
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If a female soldier felt uncomfortable showering in front of male soldiers, would we think she should get over it and shower anyway? Would we ask her if the soldier in question has ever made advances on her? Or would we ask her if she's just offended that the soldier in question doesn't find her attractive?
Unless you answer yes to the questions above, then you should treat male soldiers who feel uncomfortable with just as much respect as you would a female.
Unless you answer yes to the questions above, then you should treat male soldiers who feel uncomfortable with just as much respect as you would a female.
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SSgt Terry P.
1LT Scott D. - seems this person is being more than disruptive (ostentatious meaning--characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice) seems that the "ostentatious" person should be counseled --if any one for any reason is a disruptive force in a unit counselling seems reasonable damn being PC
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SSG Roger Ayscue
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS - Acts are not relevant. NO MAN who is uncomfortable around an openly gay male should be forced to live with, shower with, undress in front of or anything else...unless you also force female soldiers to do those things in front of heterosexual men. Openly flaunting your sexuality, gay or normal, is detrimental to good order and discipline.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SSG Roger Ayscue - Being uncomfortable is the exact same thing as being offended. It is the inability to control one's own emotions. I can't prevent you from being uncomfortable or offended at ANYTHING. I can't control your emotions, ration or irrational.
Just because you personally don't like something or someone doesn't necessarily justify a change in that person's behaviour. The ACT itself does however, because acts are defined in regulatory black & white, where emotions are ignored (for the most part).
We should make a good effort to be conscious of others' emotional state, but that doesn't mean they get to call party foul any time they are uncomfortable around others.
Just because you personally don't like something or someone doesn't necessarily justify a change in that person's behaviour. The ACT itself does however, because acts are defined in regulatory black & white, where emotions are ignored (for the most part).
We should make a good effort to be conscious of others' emotional state, but that doesn't mean they get to call party foul any time they are uncomfortable around others.
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If by ostentatious you mean unprofessional, counsel the unprofessional Soldier about the Army profession and how their actions affect unit morale. If this behavior continues, recommend UCMJ and elimination from service. This kind of unprofessionalism is not needed in the Army.
Also, speaking of unprofessional, the photo associated with this topic/thread is unprofessional.
Also, speaking of unprofessional, the photo associated with this topic/thread is unprofessional.
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CPT Bruce Beattie
LTC Bink Romanick - I don't have my manual in front of me but, I believe that actions contrary to the good order and discipline are chargeable even if they are not mentioned specifically. I also believe that if a disruptive behavior is specifically forbidden in a direct order, and the soldier persists in that behavior, that should be covered as refusal to obey a direct order. You must be reasonable in your orders and actions but, you must not be cowed into inaction. If so, you do a disservice to your troops.
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LTC Bink Romanick
I think that the initial question is poorly phrased. I am playing devils advocate. I seldom in my career had to give a direct order. But I always made sure that my "suggestions" were carried out.
This is a new situation but the basics are the same correct and counsel and take it from there. But and there's always a but, how do you define ostentatious? Is this troop showy, is he flirting? I'd have to know more to really seriously look at the problem seriously.
This is a new situation but the basics are the same correct and counsel and take it from there. But and there's always a but, how do you define ostentatious? Is this troop showy, is he flirting? I'd have to know more to really seriously look at the problem seriously.
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I would ask the leadership to address the issue of the Soldier being ostentatious (wanting to attract attention in the shower), and if they cannot solve the problem to bring it to me....if this is creating a problem contrary to the good order and discipline of the unit than it will become an issue for the Commander if we cannot fix it on the NCO side. If the ostentatious Soldier is as you picture above (a COL), then we have a different set of problems altogether and would have to get the Division Commander involved, and quickly!
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