U.S. Army WTF Moments page (Do you think it should be around?)

SGT Ronnie Warford — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 22:28:36 -0400

Is the U.S. Army WTF Facebook page something that should be around. Considering nearly half a million people follow the page, and the page seems to make the Army look bad I personally wish it would be deleted. Your thoughts?

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jun 5 at 2015 10:35 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 22:35:33 -0400

I don't put much weight in what makes the Army look bad. I tend to consider that the wrong approach. The mlitary has put way too much value on perception at times, which has hurt the organization, individual soldiers and ultimately, the mission.

Do they cross the line at times? Absolutely. Are they irresponsible sometimes? Oh hell yeah. Should they exist? I think so. Think of it as a pressure valve. Stupid shit happens in the military and sometimes, it's useful to shed a little light on it. It also gives SMs an avenue to poke fun at the BS they have to deal with.

I wish they'd be a little more responsible, but you can't have everything, I suppose.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 10:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 22:37:10 -0400

If not for Social Media to tell the Army's business, another site will be created. "New and Improved."

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 5 at 2015 10:40 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 22:40:54 -0400

The best advice I can offer is "don't highlight the negative." Build things up, don't tear things down.

If you don't like a site, don't visit it. If you don't like a person, don't associate with them, or talk about them. They're not worth your effort. Don't expend unnecessary energy on them. You have better things to do. The more you feed negativity, the bigger it gets.

We're all guilty of it. I'm horrible when it comes to the VA (because I actually care about it, and I want it to get better), though I do try to be good at most other things. That said, the site in question isn't actually hurting anyone. The moments in question might be... but calling them to light allows others to learn from mistakes that already happened, and get a laugh out of it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 11:14 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 23:14:15 -0400

I disagree, SGT Ronnie Warford.
Soldiers doing stupid things never gets old.
Telling tales of dumb Soldiers keeps me warm at night.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jun 5 at 2015 11:15 PM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 23:15:08 -0400

they do other things as well, they help identify and get help for vets in need.

Response by SGT Anthony Rossi made Jun 6 at 2015 4:32 AM

SGT Anthony Rossi — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 04:32:55 -0400

First I heard of it.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 4:41 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 04:41:50 -0400

You don'tline something, scroll past it. They have this type of site for every branch and it brings a welcome chuckle to many people on an otherwise boring or stressful day. Keep your butt hurt away from others enjoyment and strive to find humor in what we do sometimes. Because when you're on that miserable deployment stressed out of your mind, a quick laugh can keep you sane

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 6 at 2015 9:23 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 21:23:33 -0400

The truth will set you free.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 6 at 2015 9:34 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 21:34:13 -0400

SGT Ronnie Warford Why should it be deleted besides from your opinion? They aren't showing pictures of dead babies, nor are they stomping on the colors. I do not know of any violation of OPSEC, or showing pictures of that weren't already on the internet. Sure, there will some offensive pictures or comments on there but we are all adults. We have the option of not looking, not following, and not visiting, and not liking the page. Even if the Army wanted that page deleted, they couldn't do it especially if admins were not subject to UCMJ.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 9:57 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 21:57:20 -0400

I don't think the page itself makes the Army look bad. The Soldiers on there who violate Army regulations and policy are who is shedding a negative light on the Army.

I used to follow the page until I started disagreeing with some of the content. That's just my personal opinion.

In conclusion, I think that page is the least of the Army's problems. The Soldiers who murder civilians/service members, the Drill Sergeants who are having inappropriate relationships with recruits, and the Senior Leaders who foster a hostile work environment are just a few who are guilty of tarnishing our Army.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 10:21 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 22:21:58 -0400

It cracks me up. I can show my Soldiers and be like, " Don't be that guy".

Response by CPT Chase Sanger made Jun 6 at 2015 10:26 PM

CPT Chase Sanger — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 22:26:12 -0400

I agree that it makes the Army look bad in the public eye at times, but overall I think that it is a positive source of material for weekend safety briefs! Soldiers get tired of hearing the same "don't drink and drive, don't do drugs, have a plan, etc". Using material found on U.S. Army WTF Moments can provide some fresh perspective. My two cents

Response by SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres made Oct 20 at 2015 12:57 AM

SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 00:57:35 -0400

In my opinion, it doesn't make the Army look bad, certain individuals do. Military Personnel must remember that somebody is always watching, so do the right thing even when you think you are alone.

Live the values are Branches have drilled and demonstrated through all those Heroes( Yes, Heroes) that have come before us. The site has made me laugh, has stirred up emotions based on the mishaps of others. But through the humor, lessons were taught and understood. In real life you don't get to delete the ugly truth of failure, it's there. Exercise "Deeds, not Words" and you will be good to go.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Oct 20 at 2015 1:49 AM

LTC Trent Klug — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 01:49:19 -0400

Worried about a Facebook page that makes the Army look bad? How about we worry about how leader, mostly senior leaders, who think they're above the regulations and give the Army an even worse name?
Then lets talk about all the other senior folks who were relieved due to their 'failures' who were allowed to retire while junior officers and nco's were prosecuted. The Army deserves good leadership, not pieces of crap out for themselves.
It's called selfless service for a reason. If you can't put the mission and the men and women of your command first, get out!

Response by SGT Aaron Barbee made Oct 20 at 2015 12:16 PM

SGT Aaron Barbee — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 12:16:08 -0400

As a former NCO, this page always tickles my WTF button. Yes, it does tend to be a negative portrayal of the service; however, even with the popularity, it is an outstanding resource when teaching others (service members and civilians alike) how social media can negatively impact your career.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2016 11:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 23:17:01 -0400

I like it, because it helps keep us honest.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2019 10:56 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 22:56:19 -0400

From a Constitutional perspective, they have every right to be around. Plus, who doesn't love seeing the stuff they throw on there haha

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2019 9:31 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 21:31:38 -0500

Definitely not. It holds leadership accountable for all thier poor decisions, anyone who would want it deleted would only be trying to hide something.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2019 9:45 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 21:45:45 -0500

I was in a unit once that got “featured” on US Army WTF four times. The battalion commander was so toxic, that he went so far as to open an investigation into who was reporting to the website. He suspected someone in one particular group and that group was made to execute area beautification detail until 2100 hours every night until someone came forward. BLUF: things actually got better as his toxicity was brought to light. I have seen how civilian media can provide needed “oversight” that our internal systems cannot and I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing. We execute our business at the pleasure of the American people and they have a right to see what bad things can happen and they have a right to insert an opinion. As for focusing on the negative, WTF often features leaders that go above and beyond: CSMs pulling CQ, a unit commander taking up a collection to send a Soldier home, etc. They recently commended my CG for his immediate response to an issue that made the site. So no, I definitely do not think they provide a dis-service to the military.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2019 3:52 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 03:52:47 -0500

I agree with what 1SG Private RallyPoint Member said about its funny and never gets old. However there is another positive to it.

It helps bring awareness to bad and toxic commands/personnel. Countless times now things have been brought up on WTF moments and gains traction/attention and resulted in things getting fixed. For that reason alone I support it (and it is funny ha.)

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2020 8:48 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 20:48:02 -0400

Freedom is why I serve. Keep the page...or where does the censorship stop?!!

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2020 12:51 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 12:51:18 -0500

Army WTF shows a true picture of the Army, and how it works, or in most cases, doesn't work efficiently, effectively, morally, or ethically. I think Army WTF doesn't go far enough-- I think they should not blur out the names of the guilty, just like any post blotter report. Let the guilty own their actions and policies. Either the offenders or their superiors might see it and change for the better.

All in all, it shows us the kind of leadership we DON'T want.

Also, Army WTF does a lot of positive work in supporting and helping military members and their families in times of need.

Shutting down websites you disagree with is called fascism.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2022 2:11 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 14:11:25 -0400

I want to post my comments but I don’t think it will help. Social media is already too out of hand across the world.