Posted on Jul 23, 2018
Should I report a controversial, potentially compromising, tattoo to my NCOIC?
6.39K
58
51
8
8
0
A PVT in my unit has a tattoo of a sickle and hammer on his bicep and "Allegiance to the Soviet Union" on his back in Russian(He said that's what it means I dont speak Russian so I don't know). He got them recently so they wouldn't be on his records and the NCO's here dont interact with us in a way that would allow them to notice them. The question I have is whether or not I am overreacting, and are the tattoos concerning enough to need to be reported.
Posted in these groups: 
Army Regulations
Army Regulations
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 24
13
13
0
I would say that they don't fall under the category of extremist - the Soviet Union has been defunct for 25 years after all.
However, the statement of loyalty to another nation is concerning and worthy of investigation by the chain of command.
However, the statement of loyalty to another nation is concerning and worthy of investigation by the chain of command.
(13)
(0)
7
7
0
Remember the West Point cadet that posted the pictures touting communism? He's no longer in the Army. Just putting that out there.
If it bothers you, tell your PSG/PL. My advice is to simply state facts that can be proven. What the tattoo is and what he told you it means. Nothing else. Then let them handle it and dismiss yourself form the situation altogether. Make it clear that you're simply trying to do what's right and that you're not out to get anyone in trouble.
Be advised though that if he finds out you told on him, and the command does nothing about it, it may be uncomfortable for you in your platoon/company. So ask yourself this question, "Is this a hill I'm willing to die on"? If not, let it pass. The tattoo will be seen eventually. Or as you (or he) is about to transfer you can bring it up then.
If it bothers you, tell your PSG/PL. My advice is to simply state facts that can be proven. What the tattoo is and what he told you it means. Nothing else. Then let them handle it and dismiss yourself form the situation altogether. Make it clear that you're simply trying to do what's right and that you're not out to get anyone in trouble.
Be advised though that if he finds out you told on him, and the command does nothing about it, it may be uncomfortable for you in your platoon/company. So ask yourself this question, "Is this a hill I'm willing to die on"? If not, let it pass. The tattoo will be seen eventually. Or as you (or he) is about to transfer you can bring it up then.
(7)
(0)
MAJ (Join to see)
SGT Tony Clifford - I'm not questioning his motives/concerns here at all. Like I said, if this is a hill worth dying on, then do what you've got to do. I'd still advise that he proceed with caution.
(0)
(0)
SGT Bradley Dixon
If we ask ourselves that same question posed during a battle of any kind we are not to be soldiers. I had to face that same fear at my last unit with a supervisor. I decided that regardless of how steep the hill is, if I am right then I am right, I almost died but had great battles thar stood by my side in all areas of the chain.
(0)
(0)
MAJ (Join to see)
SGT Bradley Dixon I disagree with your opinion on the question. As leaders we must be able to decipher between those battles that require all our resources if needed, and those that don't. To do otherwise would be to waste lives needlessly. I don't know the details of your situation, but your comment about being right reminds me of another quote. I once heard a man ask, "I didn't ask if you were right, I asked if you had to be right". There's a big difference in the two. Your situation may have required the fight and if so, good for you for sticking to it.
(0)
(0)
(1)
(0)
5
5
0
Every brief we get from CI says to report anything suspicious. You could talk to your chain and maybe bring it up to CI and they look into it. This wouldn't really be something S2 looks into unless your S2 has some CI guys in it. I think it's the allegiance to that is the issue - even if the Soviet Union is defunct. It doesn't hurt to bring it up - better to be safe than sorry.
(5)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google