Posted on Feb 14, 2014
What do you think of this photo? Appropriate or not?
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Should this airman receive any disciplinary action?
Discipline
Respect
Disrespect
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 197
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
COL Arndt:
Respectfully, I concur and my thoughts are is this a military wide issue. If we sat down and showed the POW flag and asked what it meant how many would know?
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SGT (Join to see)
Every single soldier in the military should know what this POW Flag/ painting represents. It is taught in Basic and in my unit it is displayed with our Company and unit guidons!!! This flag is a sign of respecting those who have the ultimate sacrifice and deserves its rightful place in every unit. Of course just my opinion! But I think we all agree it was wrong and some sort of action needs to be taken if it hasn't already!
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Definitely need to find out who is her Chain of Command. That is very disrespectful and very distasteful. During this time of fighting off the garbage within our ranks, this comes out. Personally, I would say to kick her out.<br>
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SSG (Join to see)
SSgt Steigerwald, if you TRULY had read my comment and TRULY understood it then the down-vote and subsequent comment would not have been necessary. As such, you clearly DON'T understand my comment. Oh, and "bragging" about what you have done in the military is not necessary.
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SSG (Join to see)
Revenge down-voting. How quaint and juvenile. Emotionally compromised much there, SSgt Steigerwald?
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<p class="MsoNormal">In this age of mass communication, images of all sorts of
oddities emerge. People often perform acts of questionable behavior
on regular basis. Those actions can blow
up to mammoth proportions, especially when context cannot be seen by the
observer. There is no doubt in my mind
this airman was, at that moment, probably acting “Silly” with friends etc. I am also sure this airman did not set out to
perform a disrespectful act, nor offend anyone with her actions. However, this photo with no context will most
certainly be viewed as inappropriate, at best.
We have to be more aware of the possibility of
our actions being misconstrued by others.
It has become a necessity to become aware of our actions both out of
uniform and the amplification of those same actions while in uniform. In my opinion, disciplinary actions for this
airman should be restricted to counseling on both behavior, and the importance
of some of our military icons. In
addition, I would probably have that airman research the National League of POW
/ MIA and provide me with a report of that organizations’ complete history and
current activities. Maybe a little volunteer
work wouldn't be completely out of the question either.</p>
oddities emerge. People often perform acts of questionable behavior
on regular basis. Those actions can blow
up to mammoth proportions, especially when context cannot be seen by the
observer. There is no doubt in my mind
this airman was, at that moment, probably acting “Silly” with friends etc. I am also sure this airman did not set out to
perform a disrespectful act, nor offend anyone with her actions. However, this photo with no context will most
certainly be viewed as inappropriate, at best.
We have to be more aware of the possibility of
our actions being misconstrued by others.
It has become a necessity to become aware of our actions both out of
uniform and the amplification of those same actions while in uniform. In my opinion, disciplinary actions for this
airman should be restricted to counseling on both behavior, and the importance
of some of our military icons. In
addition, I would probably have that airman research the National League of POW
/ MIA and provide me with a report of that organizations’ complete history and
current activities. Maybe a little volunteer
work wouldn't be completely out of the question either.</p>
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COL Roxanne Arndt
She may not have intended to be disrespectful but if she would have paid attention to the picture and thought about the implications of her actions she would have realized that her behavior would be perceived as inappropriate. I agree with TSgt McCauley, the military has become too soft and we allow behavior like this to go unchecked. I thought the military had standards for behavior, army values: RESPECT Air Force values: "We start with integrity because it is the essential element or the foundation on which other values are built. It's being honest with others as well as with yourself, and doing what's right at all times. Integrity remains the very bedrock of the military profession. Servicemembers possessing integrity will always do what's right, regardless of the circumstances, even when no one is looking. They will make no compromise in being honest in small things as well as great ones."
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I don't feel that it is respectable, but in my opinion, disciplanry action should be reserved to "on the spot correction". If you know this young airman, may counsel her on appropriate photos and even more importantly, publishing them for viewing....
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
Lol I apologize sir, I just didn't feel it was appropriate to say "this airman needs her ass whipped" to you. But I do appreciate your open mind with this issue as it clearly has gotten all of us heated whether it's because we're ashamed or fightin' mad or both!
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SSG (Join to see)
i agree, depending on when the photo was taken depends on what the punishment is in re: to the previously stated "statute of limitations" mentality... I agree with everyone else that the photo is extremely disrespectful, unprofessional and all other descriptions which could be put here, just plain stupid... Her lack of judgement is a pretty severe one, but we have all done something stupid at one time or another that we wish we could take back and heck if we don't all know that once it is on the internet it is there forever,,, a stupid act. Take the punishment, drive on. But in re: to WHAT punishment, and as wrong as it is to do what she did, what reg or law is in place says she can't do that? If stupid civilians can disgrace the American Flag, burn it and nothing happens to them etc... what is going to be done to her for disrespecting a symbolic one? Please understand I in no way condone her actions, but I ask, what are they going to base the punishment on? Good order and discipline?, if so half the military would be kicked out for stupid acts they commit.
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SGM (Join to see)
First off the SSGT admited that she put the picture on social media. DOD regulation on Social Media states that DOD employees cannot post anything to Social Media that brings discredit to the uniform. Secondly, what would I charge her with? Lets see... Bringing discredit to the uniform, discredit to the unit, condcut unbecoming, violation of Social Media regulations. If you think this act should go unpunished, then I will tell you the climate within your organization will be one of indiscipline rather than one that hold members to a standard. I recently punished two Soldiers for putting a parody of Miley Cirus' video "Wrecking Ball" on the internet. It was no where near as bad as this, but they did it in a way that reflected the unit in a poor light. "And then we wonder why the disciplined units laugh at the undisciplined units".
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Maj Chris Nelson
SGM (Servicemember), I would agree, that more may need to happen to her if she intentionally posted this out there. When this picture first came out, this SrA was unknown, and I was not aware of WHERE the picture came from. Since that time, I have found out she has actually been promoted to E-5 (SSgt in the AF) which makes me sick. If she also posted it out on the internet, then I do not think she is NCO material....as an E-4, she was still junior enough to make mistakes and be 'retrained'...as NCO, not so much. She should know better.
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This is most definitely not within the standards of good order and discipline. This airman as well as the person who took the photo (if they are military) should be disciplined for their disrespectful and ignorant behavior. I would just like to know what was going on in their minds when doing this because it's not funny and it's not cute. Joking around with a symbol that has been associated with prisoners of war, which we do have (SGT Bowe Bergdahl in case some of you didn't know) and all of those who never made it home is beyond wrong. If she can't have respect for her brothers and sisters in arms, than she has no place in our military. Exit stage right.
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SGT (Join to see)
I know of "old school" individuals who have photos of the post cannon, not where it is supposed to be. I can imagine that being put on FB had it been around back then!
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This photo reminds me of the same type of disrespect the civilian did back in 2012 to the tomb of the unknown soldier, or the 2003 issues at Abu Ghraib. She has violated numerous AFI's: 36-2903, 35-109, to name a few.
She has disgraced herself, the 92nd Security Forces Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base, the USAF, and the military community as a whole.
I can only hope that she gets the proper punishment and counseling for this act and the person who took the photo.
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MSgt (Join to see)
As far as I remember there is no statute of limitations on punishment in the military for misconduct that was discovered after the fact (pictures speak volumes long after an incident has taken place). The old adage still holds true - ignorance of the law is no excuse. The Regulations specifically tell you what you can and cannot do inregards to media of any type. As the command does their due dilligence in looking into this matter they would be well advised to look into the public affairs and communication areas to make sure she was properly instructed concerning media (photos, internet, etc.); if not then they should be looking into their processes as well. The Army took a bad rap for a long time after the pictures from Abu Ghraib surfaced - it will be no different with this issue with all of our veterans who have buddies and loved ones who are MIA's. The disrespect transcends time - I can only hope that her command will do the right thing. She deserves some UCMJ action (tempered of course with some counseling and place her with a mentor to make sure she learns the proper conduct befitting a member of our armed forces). I would like to see community service added where she would be helping at a local VA as well - maybe that would help put some perspectives in her mind as well.
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SPC (Join to see)
MSgt I believe you made an excellent point in suggesting "volunteering" at a local VA. We do however, disagree on the severity of the actual punishment. It needs to be swift and severe. If I was the type of person who does what she did and I heard that she got hit heavily with some harsh punishment I'd think twice before I did it. She needs to be made an example of. We can't let the public, or the world for that matter, see us fail to do what must be done for such an action.
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SSG Laureano Pabon
Msgt Kerwin this is the video that supports your response:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YIchQaISms
Arlington, VA: Compilation of sentinels acting to keep visitors quiet and respectful. Uniquely American, the sentinels at Arlington Cemetery's Tomb of the Un...
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MSgt (Join to see)
Due to the design of the American Justice System (including the military version) everyone that is 'accused' of a wrong doing is 'presumed innocent until proven guilty' - no matter how much evidence is stacked against them. If the command takes the UCMJ route (which would be the right course of action in this issue) then the 'accused' has the right to counsel and a trial if she decides to go in that direction. Even though everyone who views the actions that occurred as disrepectful and against the miliatry code of conduct (including myself) the individual is still an American and is afforded our justice and due process. That is what we have sworn an oath to preserve and defend as military members - and we cannot turn our back on this even though we might want justice served quickly. We are the ultimate defenders of our constitution. The public and the world will always find fault in our processes and actions - it is something that we have had to endure since our military was formed.
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<p>As a veteran of multiple timeframes of the military from the early 80s through the end of the 1st decade of the millennium I have had many friends who were POWs from Vietnam, and have lost many other friends from Desert Storm, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, 9/11, OEF, OIF so this is a total display of disrespect and disloyalty to the uniform of every branch and of anyone who has ever worn the uniform and given the ultimate sacrifice for the uniform and this country.</p><p><br></p><p>If this was the old school military this Airman would be receiving some wall to wall counseling for a start along with some other choice activities, but since we are now in the current PC weak senior leadership military that allows our benefits and resources to be stripped on a regular basis without a fight, the minimum this SM needs is UCMJ from the field grade level. And it wouldn't matter if the photo is old or from yesterday, any act that is detrimental to the esprit de corps of the military and disloyal to military service I believe has no statute of limitations as it could be classified under an act of treason to all that have ever served and sacrificed that this symbol represents, and if it doesn't I do believe that all military crimes do also allow for up to 2 or 3 years to charge and prosecute from time of action as well.</p><p><br></p><p>This airman who is wearing NCO stripes and an honor guard rope has no respect for the uniform or her job as she clearly display and has no place in MY military today or anytime as far as I am concerned and anyone who thinks all she deserves is a good talking to I would question their loyalties to their comrades in arms as well, anyone that has lost any brothers or sisters would never even suggest a counseling of this SM, only someone that has never experience the realities of losing comrades in combat or a real deployment would suggest such a thing, this is a very emotional and passionate issue to me and all my fallen brothers and sisters of the past that have given their all for those of us still here and able to fight and defend them. </p>
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