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Posted on Sep 20, 2014
CPT Aaron Kletzing
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Hagel
Sec. Hagel has ordered the DoD to review its sponsorship of the NFL, due to the league marginalizing (lying about evidence, sweeping under the rug) domestic assault situations in recent months. The details of those scenarios are sickening.

The DoD appears to be serious about attacking domestic assault problems in the force (SHARP, etc). To what extent, if at all, do you find it hypocritical for the military to spend millions of dollars per year sponsoring a prominent organization whose leaders' actions to not show that they take domestic abuse seriously? Should the DoD stop sponsoring an organization mired in such damning domestic abuse controversy?

More here: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/chuck-hagel-nfl-domestic-violence-review

Tag: SGM Matthew Quick 1SG Steven Stankovich SSG Robert Burns SSG V. Michelle Woods SSG Scott Williams Col (Join to see) SSgt (Join to see) SFC Mark Merino
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Capt Brandon Charters
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Edited 11 y ago
I'm surprised the NFL didn't walk away after seeing the last decade of sexual assault reports inside the military.

The goal with a partnership like this is to attract the kind of recruits that will lead and become valuable members of the military. I think there are a lot of parallels between the NFL and the military when it comes to leading teams and executing plans. Not in the way past players have unfortunately said "playing is like serving", but in the pure aspect of leading a team of 11-22 people into a very complicated operation with the end goal of executing flawlessly.

There is a bad trend happening inside the NFL and the DoD needs to evaluate ALL partnerships. Not just the ones that hit the news. NFL players are national role models for our kids and I'm confident that under the right leadership, the NFL can turn things in the right direction. If we keep sensationalizing and tolerating off the field drama, we all play a big part in the fall of a great organization like the NFL. I hope to see this partnership stay and both sides focusing on the internal integrity violations that have plagued their own ranks over the years. There could could be a lot of shared experiences on both sides that would help everyone 'get it right'.
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Lt Col Deputy Commander
Lt Col (Join to see)
11 y
ditto some other comments I read....I'm surprised the NFL didnt cancel its partnership with the DoD, every organization has issues, and nobody will ever get it 100% right, its what an organization does in face of adversity that matters.....when we learn respect and tolerance, we will all be better. We clean house just like the NFL does....we have also tried to suppress facts to save face, just like the NFL does....learn and move forward. GO CHARGERS!
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Capt Brandon Charters
Capt Brandon Charters
11 y
Well said Lt Col (Join to see). And hey, if you keep beating the Seahawks like that, I'm going to start being a Bolts fan.
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SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
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CPT Aaron Kletzing Capt Brandon Charters SSG Daniel Deiler 1SG Steven Stankovich SFC Mark Merino Col (Join to see) SGM Matthew Quick

I say 'no', not because I do not feel it is important but that all the sides of this discussion should be considered. Not the least of which is the staggering number of Female on Male assaults.

http://www.thehotline.org/

I wrote a blog on this last night and condemning this problem but being fair and objective. Most of us males chafe at the idea that abuse happens to men and would be hesitant to report it for those very thoughts.

I feel we have a fire that is legitimate and the media sources using this information for it's purposes, in other words to boost ratings. I have worked in the media since the 80s.

Abuse is real but I caution people to realize there is hype here and then there is the problem itself and it is a major problem. Everyone wants to wash their hands or simply blame men. That's the easy part, the part that remains murky is our commitment to stop violence whenever we can.

My hope is that these problems can be addressed before they surface and rather than make this is SHARP kind of thing that we honestly use interventions that nip this in the bud during a child's formative years.

In a kid this sort of thing can color perceptions by diminishing hope and cause for a lot of trust issues. Violence is not justified no matter who does it. I ran interference for my own mom as a kid. Much more I do not feel like discussing here.

http://youtu.be/SGbTg4EpCyE

http://www.ncadv.org/takeaction/DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth.php
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Maj Walter Kilar
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The DoD is not perfect, and neither is the NFL. This could be a good opportunity to combine forces, raise awareness, and do something about it.
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SFC Mark Merino
SFC Mark Merino
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Maj Walter Kilar I like how you think!
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Should the DoD terminate its sponsorship of the NFL due to domestic abuse scandals?
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
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I honestly don't know enough about the way the NFL has been handling the cases so I'll try to keep my comment general.

Every organization will have their bad apples however if that organization is doing everything it can to show it will not tolerate domestic abuse, then I believe the DoD should continue their sponsorship.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
SSG V. Michelle Woods
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CPT Gregory Wagoner I'm surprised the DoD sponsors the NFL just because I didn't think the military could sponsor an organization. I'm sure there are some exceptions Im not aware of.

I thought they dropped that player you're referencing from the team. No?
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SSG Pod Load Technician
SSG (Join to see)
11 y
I am not gonna judge the NFL based on the actions of one a**hole. If that was the case then I would have stopped watching because of Micheal Vick and Ben Rothlisberger
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SSG Daniel Deiler
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There's no reason to jump ship immediately. I think we should wait til all evidence is in and all measures currently being looked at and implemented in the near future will be sufficient. Based on Commisioner Goodell's press conference, I think the right thing will be done and new policies will go into effect that will fix the problems that are currently coming up. To cut all ties would be like the pot calling the kettle black. If you remember, Not too long ago the military had it's own problems with cover ups, lies and atrocities being allowed to happen to those who were assaulted both physically and sexually. It would be absolutely hypocritical.
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1SG Steven Stankovich
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Edited 11 y ago
This is one of those topics that is hot right now. To blindly ride to the sound of the guns would be inappropriate. We need to gather all of the updates from the field, develop COAs, choose the one that makes the most sense, and then execute. Facts and not public opinion should play a part in this decision. This may be tap dancing around the original question, but I believe that cooler heads need to assess this one...
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SSG Mike Angelo
SSG Mike Angelo
11 y
Leading by example, the DoD can bring lessons learned from the not so rich and famous, those who have served and continue to serve our great nation.

Some of us on these threads made rank 2 or 3 + times...it is through discipline and by experiencing first had that learning process of failure who we are and have become.

Leading by example, we set our limits and boundaries with appropriateness. Great leaders have learned from their mistakes, whether they are personal or professional in nature. It is with this life-balance with the commitment to serve with excellence that our military mission will continue and our people will endure the hardships to come.

The NFL is a civilian organization, like other US sport organizations governed by there are rules, ethics and codes of conduct that control the behavior of their members.

Being a strategic partner, the DoD has the capacity to assist the NFL in a proactive manner, with creative alternatives. The DoD also has the choice of terminating or suspending some or all ties.

In either case, the military mission will continue.

What is the impact of the military if SecDef Hagel cuts out the NFL totally juxtaposition with unfavorable action with UCMJ directed toward a Service member's inappropriate behavior? The mission will continue regardless of such disciplinary action taken.

Yes, we need to have a cool head to make the right decision that will both positively impact both NFL and DoD.

America's non profit organizations which serve their communities are common pathways for civilians when their inappropriate behavior is elevated via public eye.
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SGM Matthew Quick
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No...you don't turn your back on something because it becomes difficult.

Besides, the the NFL is not the problem (just like the military is not the problem with sexual harassment/assault)...some bad apples are.

The NFL does need to stand up and take appropriate actions and not sway from those actions...it send a bad message.
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SSG Mike Angelo
SSG Mike Angelo
11 y
All too often we observe and hear about organizational behavior within firms, such as individual absenteeism, workplace violence...grab assing...coming to work from an all niter, sexual harassment, domestic violence and theft are all common in America's organizations.

I believe that the NFL and other organizations can bring it home, by looking toward other companies and how they go about treatment, prevention, and educating their people.

The main constraint that I see is not so much lack of caring for their people, but organizations do not have the tools nor the training for the whole person concept.

It is a different environment out here on the outside...civilian world.
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Edited 11 y ago
CPT Aaron Kletzing. In my opinion, the DoD should continue to work with the NFL just as it now works with its own personnel to require training to put everyone notice that this conduct will not be tolerated . . . put mandatory behavioral standards in the NFL contracts . . . one offense and you are gone forever . . . then seek to root out and terminate bad actors with extreme prejudice. Warmest Regards, Sandy
1SG Steven Stankovich
1SG Steven Stankovich
11 y
Great points 1LT Sandy Annala!!!
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LTC Jason Strickland
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Should you not watch a Tom Cruise movie because you don't agree with Scientology? Should you you boycott Disney theme parks because you're against gay marriage? Should you not patronize Starbuck's because you support the 2nd Amendment?
Whatever your answer is to those questions should give you a little insight on the decision of the DoD to partner with the NFL. Domestic violence is unacceptable and should not be tolerated; however, is what's happening with a very, VERY, small minority of NFL players representative of the NFL as a whole? We're some mistakes made in the handling of these allegations - and actions - by the NFL? Probably. With all that being said, my answer to the question is: it depends.
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SGT Garret DuPont
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The Army from my experience, is always lying about evidence, sweeping shit under the rug. Don't be a hypocrite DoD!
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