What do you think of this photo? Appropriate or not?
This should cover it.
UCMJ Article 134:
Though not specifically mentioned in this chapter, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, and crimes and offenses not capital, of which persons subject to this chapter may be guilty, shall be taken cognizance of by a general, special or summary court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offense, and shall be punished at the discretion of that court.
It is ironic that this Airman is disrespecting the POW/MIA symbol, as a great many USAF members were shot down during the Vietnam War.
This Airman should be made an example of what NOT to do, as in disrespecting those who have come before and sacrificed.
I understand what you are trying to say sir, but I would ask this question based on your rational/logic. Would you post a video of a beheading and ask the same question? "Is this appropriate or not?"
Obviously to remain objective as you stated as a medical professional; this type of act is appropriate for those who are committing it. They are justified in their minds. However, since this is an open military forum as you stated earlier, you must consider your audience when posing your questions.
I believe the your question was rhetorical. I surely dont think that you believed at all that there was a person in this forum that thought this picture was appropriate. Im not sure how you can be objective when asknig for emotional judgement.
Your secondary question I believe is a more reasonable question that is debatable and productive, as evidenced by the responses already posted.
The reason I say posting the picture is disrespecful is this. If we say the act is deploarble, offensive, disrespectful, etc., then what is showing the act if not repeating it? If someone sees it as offensive, then they will see it that way every time they witness it. For someone who this affects more deeply than others, i.e. someone who has been a POW or has lost someone who was, it is like rubbing salt in the wounds.
I think it is more responsible and respectful to try and eliminate these types of images/acts than to repost them and display them all over again. Just my opinion.
This picture is over a year old, it did hit the mainstream for about 2-3 weeks, with many calls for action, the woman in the pic was fired, but not the co-worker, he was suspended with a reduction of position at the company they both worked at, if I remember right it was some sort of advertising agency. The company posted a big online form letter apology and described her termination of employment, she pleaded for help to get her job back on her FB page and got more nasty comments and threats than anything else, no sympathy was given to her and most said she should never be given another job in the US ever again.
This is similar to what needs to happen to the now SSGT, she needs to be court-martialed reduced to E1 and given a BCD so she can hot get any benefits or ever apply for any, and she can also enjoy that felony conviction following her the rest of her life for her little claim of being "young and immature at one time", there are plenty of people who have made one mistake that puts them in prison the rest of their lives or makes it so they will never be a asset to society again.