Some things are sacred...

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 16:35:05 -0500

Please tell me that nobody finds this to be an acceptable way to joke around. I am one of the most humor filled people around, but some things are sacred to me and should not be messed with. This is one of them.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 4:41 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 16:41:42 -0500

This is a disgrace to all men and women in uniform, and completely disrespectful. Every one of these Soldiers should be punished.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 4:51 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 16:51:56 -0500

It's Soldiers like this that put a bad name to the Military in general by doing things like this. Some of the best Soldiers I knew bled and died in this uniform and its a shame how these so called Soldiers disgrace it and a military funeral like its some kind of comedy hour. NO Respect, NO honor, and absolutely NO Military Bearing or discipline at all in these pictures. What make things worst is that people actually liked these pictures 18 and 16 times like nothing is wrong here.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 4:57 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 16:57:27 -0500

Yet these same Soldiers are the first to complain that their COC is toxic or that their leadership is the root of the problems in the military these days. Unbelievable.<br>

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 5:28 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 17:28:39 -0500

Separation

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 5:44 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 17:44:12 -0500

this is more than inappropriate its god damn disgusting if we gotta kick people out of the Army its these people, soldiers should be honored that they've been chosen to be apart of a funeral detail not bitch or moan about it. i take funeral details to heart. one of my good friends died in Afghanistan back in 2011 and i had to call his mother so i can go to his funeral to pay my respects and it was by far the hardest thing i have done in my life i couldn't imagine what his parents or his fiancee had to go through. seeing this just makes my blood boil. i have no pity for whatever punishment these soldiers get

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 7:09 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 19:09:15 -0500

If anyone wants to take action on this, her identity as been found and passed around.

Name: SPC Harrison, Terry
Service: Army Organization:1-147 AVN E co.
Account Type: National Guard

Edit / Update: WI ARNG is aware of this and is investigating. (graphic added)

Response by SFC Matthew Isenbart made Feb 17 at 2014 8:08 PM

SFC Matthew Isenbart — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 20:08:57 -0500

Ma'am, you are 100% right. It is disgusting that people would think it would be funny to pose around a coffin the way they are. Even if this is a practice coffin and there is no one in it, the fact they are disrespecting the flag is enough. Plus they need to train how they want to fight. If they will have that kind of irreverence during their training, they will not be truly reverent when they perform an actual mission. These are the same types that would make naked human pyramids with detainees.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 8:22 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 20:22:46 -0500

The key issue is that this should have never been put on a system that is a matter of public availability and record. That was the dumbest thing they could do.
Honestly, I have been on funeral honors and some of the comments in the TMP van on the way to the funeral or back can be off-color. Most of them concern the dress and physical characteristics of some of the mourners present. However, everyone I've ever known is all business and 100% when it comes to the actual ceremony.

It is one thing to joke about dorking up a funeral, it is another to actually do it out of malice/incompetence. It's akin to threatening your battle's testes and life for a perceived slight and then actually shooting them during a firefight.

Worlds apart.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 8:41 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 20:41:01 -0500

As someone who is from Wisconsin, this is most disappointing.

I bet that POW/MIA kissing NCO from the Air Force is celebrating right now.

It seems like the flood gates are coming open regarding inappropriate photo's being taken.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 8:44 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 20:44:33 -0500

I'm glad I was a Joe before social media.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 8:45 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 20:45:24 -0500

I did about 6 months of funeral detail when I was stationed at Hood. We had a pretty good crew and we joked in between our details, but we NEVER said anything about the detail itself, we never criticized the mourners, the deceased, etc. Yes, doing two to three funerals a week can get depressing, but there are other outlets. This is a blatant disregard to one's military bearing, a lack of respect for the veteran and the uniform, and I hope to God that the so-called leaders of these servicemembers (I refuse to call them Soldiers) are held responsible just as their subordinates. Shame on them.

Y'know, prior to me getting out (and true to this day), there was a common gripe among some of the better NCOs that the Army was going to sh*t. Seeing this just reaffirms that belief. What a sad day for our Army.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 9:31 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 21:31:17 -0500

While my unit was on funeral Honors I volunteered for every funeral I could and made sure that whoever went on the funeral with me knew that this is an honor and they had better not take it lightly. If one of the Soldiers would try to make light of any of the funeral's we did I would ensure they would never make that mistake again. However I lucked out and we had Soldiers that realized the honor it was to provide final honor's for the deceased Soldiers that we were providing final honor's for seeing stuff like this seriously makes me sick to my stomach. I can only hope that their chain ensures they are properly punished for this disgrace.

Response by SGT Michael Little made Feb 17 at 2014 9:40 PM

SGT Michael Little — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 21:40:39 -0500

OK, my objective is to stay calm on this but I really doubt that will happen so bear with me. I am retired from the Kentucky National Guard with 24 years of service, 19 of them active. My very first combat tour was Grenada, then Desert Shield/Storm, Somalia, and a trip back to the Gulf for OIF in 06-07. The last tour was with the Infantry with the KY National Guard. I have lost enough friends that early in my career I stopped having friends, and started referring to them as acquaintances. That in itself is a sad statement. What's sadder is this. We depend on our fellow soldiers to not leave us behind either wounded, or dead. If it is the later, then we depend on each other to at least do us the honor of a decent send off to Fiddler's Green.

Now we have soldiers, whether National Guard or Regular Army is irrelevant, that have to audacity to do this to disrespect the Honor Guard. It's also irrelevant if there was an actual trooper in the casket or not. Look behind them! It's the American Flag. The flag I flew from my radio aerial on my tank in Desert Storm. Same flag flying over the Tomb of the Unknown. Same flag that will be on me when I go to the Green. It is blatant disrespect for the Flag, our country and the US Army. They deserve no mercy.

On top of that, I believe the Wisconsin National Guard needs the proverbial enema. From the top down, they need to go. This is a total breakdown of the entire chain of command from The Adjutant General (TAG) down to these individual's squad leaders. If my troops under me had even thought about doing this, I would have had their ass to put it mildly. This is, in my opinion, a prime example of how the military as a whole has got this "touchy feely" don't hurt someone's feelings attitude and it's dragging us all down with it.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 10:02 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 22:02:07 -0500

On a side note, for those of you referring to funeral honors as 'funeral detail', I ask you to think about the meaning of what you are saying. I can tell you believe they are honors, so refer to them as such. A detail is something boring, menial (and yes, sometimes necessary), but not something you necessarily feel honored to do. Anything involving the fallen, and the flag, should always be referred to as 'honors', because they are an absolute honor to be a part of. <div><br></div><div>Just my opinion, but I learned this a decade ago at AIT, when I was the student 1SG and giving the report to 1SG-actual. He stopped me when I said 'X amount of Soldiers on flag detail' and asked me if I thought that working with the flag was an honor. I said, yes of course, 1SG! He told me to always refer to it as such, because others pay attention, and it shows how we feel about it. That has always stuck with me. </div>

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Feb 17 at 2014 10:24 PM

CSM Michael Poll — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 22:24:10 -0500

It is getting so bad, I think we as SR NCOs, JR NCOs, Officers and future Leaders need to take a close look at the stupidity that we are seeing herebrothers and sisters in arms . Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen all are taking pictures of things like this and giving us all a black eye. THese things will NEVER, in todays society, be only a joke among friends. (even though this a a joke in very poor taste). With the technology today a pic you took 5 minutes ago will be all over the world in minutes. maybe even seconds. It amazes me that these knuckleheads still take distasteful pictures and post to a social media network.... Didn't we learn from Abu Graib? The Marines urinating on the dead insurgent? The ignorant young woman at the tomb of the unknowns, and most recently the SRA with the POW flag? Yes some things are sacred, like the United States Military! Everything we do while in uniform reflects our branch and the Military as a whole.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 11:48 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 23:48:36 -0500

What in the world??? What is wrong with service-members now a days??? Got the Airman and the POW/MIA mural, now this. Where is the honor? Where is the decency? Where is the responsibility and accountability? Truly disappointed and saddened.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 12:04 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 00:04:02 -0500

was just sent this link to a response from one of the NCO's of the Soldier that posted the picture

https://www.facebook.com/usawtfm/posts/ [login to see] 688606:0

Facebook

Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them. People use Facebook to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, post ...

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 4:55 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 04:55:42 -0500

Can this please be the straw that breaks the camels back, and that the Army begins to look at its disciplinary problem as serious. We need to not only give some fangs to our NCO's, we need policies and officers that encourage them to bite when necessary.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Feb 18 at 2014 5:59 PM

CMC Robert Young — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 17:59:45 -0500

There has been an outbreak of stupidity recently that boggles my mind. We (the royal we) are clearly seeing the results of letting so many questionable people into our military during recent years. The need for manpower trumped the need to adhere to

stricter screening standards, and those who entered our fraternity with little or no character are now NCOs responsible for carrying on our traditions and honoring our heritage. The military is scrambling to reduce spending. I have identified not less than 15 candidates for reprograming to civilians immediately.

The army my dad joined 60 years ago would not have allowed this to exist.

Sad day in America when those who are supposed to defend freedom sink to this level.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 6:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 18:40:35 -0500

It is not enough to just punish them! They should be made to issue public statements of apology on national television to SOMEWHAT correct this wrong. Then recommend the max, bust them all to E-1 and dishonorably discharge them NCOS, Officers and soldiers alike anyone "in the know". Hell disband the whole got-damn unit if you ask me!

I did funeral detail for over 6 months in Texas from 110 degrees to 20 degrees and it actually snowed that year, never once did I EVER shirk my duties! why? because DEATH is much more agonizing than any weather we encountered, but most importantly HONOR and RESPECT for my fellow soldiers.

I would be an E-1 tomorrow if these were my subordinates!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 6:49 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 18:49:28 -0500

This sort of thing just tops the already staggering pile of crap within our ranks today. You look at the news, the social media and even here on rallypoint and ever other discussion is about the decline in our morals, values and disciple. It starts with Soldiers and NCOs that don't even care about the uniform they are wearing looking sharp and correct. So why would they care about someone who died wearing that uniform. We have lost a our brotherhood. Many Soldiers nowadays find their military service to that of being employed at any regular job. It is a 9-5 employment that should not leak into their personal lives. Many Soldiers see their superiors not as leaders and mentors, but employers, they don't see fellow Soldiers as comrades and brothers/sisters in arms, but fellow employees and they do not see what they do as service to be proud of and thankful for, but as a pay check and a place to take, take, take as many possible benefits as they can while giving the minimal effort back.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 19 at 2014 11:14 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 11:14:29 -0500

When a Major General has to publicly apologize for your actions, you know you're in trouble.

http://wisguard.dodlive.mil/2014/02/19/a-statement-from-the-wisconsin-adjutant-general-to-the-entire-military-family/

A statement from the Wisconsin Adjutant General to the entire military family

February 19, 2014 To all veterans, current serving military members, family members, those who have lost loved ones in service to our nation, and in […]

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 12:00 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 12:00:41 -0500

I've seen this going around a lot on Facebook Lately, I honestly can't believe that stuff like this happens in our military.
Especially with the push towards exemplifying a "Professional Organization" Things of this nature need to be dealt with swiftly and harshly.
Unacceptable.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2014 11:00 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 23:00:51 -0400

The thing is that some of the most sacred traditions will never be understood by the young Soldiers in this time frame. Now a days there is more focus on getting promoted and having extra pocket change then caring about the Army. I've been on Funeral details as a NCO. As a officer I take the time to pay my respects every time i'm passing by warriors walk in Ft. Stewart because i was close to death many times in my many deployments!! Things taken for granted looks bad and is in bad taste, but as long as these Soldiers see the leadership care, it will open up their eyes to better understanding. We as leaders (Officers, Warrant's, Non-Commissioned) must take the helm and show what it looks like 24/7 in and out of uniform no if's and's or buts about it!

Response by SFC Royce Williams made Jan 13 at 2015 7:42 AM

SFC Royce Williams — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 07:42:47 -0500

Pure disgrace!! That's all I can say because if I say any more I may lose my mind.

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Jan 28 at 2015 9:41 PM

SPC Stewart Smith — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 21:41:46 -0500

When I was in the Honor Guard, I don't think there was even a single one of us that spoke, let alone take selfies with a dead man/woman. This is disgraceful.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 11:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 23:35:35 -0400

This is not fun at all and they don't belong in the military. I have done funeral detail and it was an honor to make sure that the families received a flag that was on point.

Response by MSgt Robin Sheehan made May 12 at 2015 11:37 PM

MSgt Robin Sheehan — Tue, 12 May 2015 23:37:32 -0400

I just keeping looking at these pics and am still just in shock that they would act so disrespectful in their words and actions. Where is the honor? What is happening to our military. What used to be completely unacceptable has become tolerable and tolerable has become acceptable and thus the norm. The breakdown of discipline is far reaching.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 11:40 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 23:40:04 -0400

Not this is not horrific, but didn't this iccur about four years ago? or is this a new round if absolute idiocy?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 13 at 2015 4:46 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 13 May 2015 16:46:03 -0400

Is this the new army? When I was tasked to provide a funeral detail we practiced over and over again, because it was important for the deceased and the family. It was one shot operation.

Response by SSG Malcolm "Chris" Canada made May 13 at 2015 4:56 PM

SSG Malcolm "Chris" Canada — Wed, 13 May 2015 16:56:26 -0400

• Promote to civilian immediately!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 12 at 2015 2:01 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 14:01:08 -0400

Some people have no common sense or respect. I presided as OIC for 8 military funerals, and our attitude was to help the widow see some closure, and we focused on performing the funeral perfectly. It was not about us, it was about our fallen.