Posted on May 12, 2014
What would you do if your soldier displayed their uniform for personal gain while on leave?
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I have been dealing with something, and how I should talk about it. Let's say your soldier signed out on leave, changed into ACUs, got dropped off at the airport and may have received good treatment due to the uniform. Then that soldier got onto the air plane, arrived at the destination, and received a hero's welcome home as if they returned from the battle field and received a coin from one of the facilitators that lead the big welcome home ceremony. I am wondering, what did these people hear from this soldier or maybe it was the soldier's family and to top it off its a small town with very little military interaction so this soldier is a big deal I suppose. From my eyes, this soldier is not a stellar performer, is often late, hides out with other soldiers and does not volunteer for anything, and does not take initiative and their mind is more set for, "lets do what I need to do to get by". Maybe I should leave it alone and not say anything. I know her family is very proud, but it still bothers me that I know the uniform was worn for personal gain and far as I know, this soldier has not yet received anything of monetary value. There are some other interactions with this soldier and their uniform with the community in which I will not speak. Maybe its different with her family; maybe this soldier is eating up all of the attention. I tell my mother, father and other family members not to make a big deal when I come home, and that I am not a hero, and I am just like them or anyone else.
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 18
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I was told that the Army was not allowed out in town in cammies. That it was just something everyone looked the other way on. If it is okay to wear them on liberty then there is no issue. It is scummy as hell, but not wrong. This is why I am glad Marines cant wear cammies out in town. We are allowed to wear certain Dress or Service uniforms, but few if any would opt for that instead of a pair of comfortable jeans. This sounds like a standard case of someone being a tool..
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Oh, come on! How many of us took our dates out, while in uniform, and had someone offer to pay simply because we were in uniform? Slightly smaller scale than what you described, I know, but its still the same premise.
If this kid is a small town hero just because he's in the military, then he's from a good little town
If this kid is a small town hero just because he's in the military, then he's from a good little town
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MSgt David Mata
it was a "she" not a "he"...not sure if that makes any difference...It happened once to me when I picked my daughter up after a Mid-shift and took her to Breakfast at Denny's...A "stranger" paid for our Breakfast...I was so embarrassed I never did that again...Some people feel the need to parade around with their chest high...Unfortunately, it is usually those who SUCK at being a good Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine who parade in front of cameras and crowds...
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PO2 Rocky Kleeger
MSgt, I'm not saying I did this for a living. I'm not saying I did it often. However it has happened, to all of us at one time or another.
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I've read this scenario through three times. Unless I'm missing something, I see two facts:
1. Soldier traveled in ACUs
2. Soldier received welcome home event at her hometown.
Everything else is assumption (MAY have received special treatment at the airport, what the town heard) or personal opinion/judgement of the Soldier (not a stellar performer, does the minimum, wore the uniform for gain - NOT supported by the facts presented, making assessments of the Soldier's mental state.). I can't comment on the interactions that you state you won't mention....
So, on the two facts we have:
1. This MAY be a violation. I honestly don't know the effective date of only traveling in ASUs in the new 670-1. IF so, it merits - as a first offense - nothing more than a "don't be a #$%!" counseling session. This wouldn't even make my top ten broken things on any given day. If the "no traveling" prohibition isn't in place yet, nothing to see here.
2. Town throws Soldier a party? GREAT. You state that her family is proud of her, and that her small town is likewise, for whatever reason. Unless there is reason to believe there is a "stolen valor" issue (She's wearing a MoH, "there I was, no shit in the 'nam...."), this is great. Good on the town for welcoming home a Soldier.
Maybe it is a big accomplishment for someone from this small town to do something other than work at the mill.
Maybe she straightened up her life and has a backstory that merits the welcome.
Maybe the town is just patriotic.
Maybe being treated like someone special for being in the military will inspire her to live up to the hype. If she doesn't already.
Bottom line: There is no harm here. Hope she had a great party.
1. Soldier traveled in ACUs
2. Soldier received welcome home event at her hometown.
Everything else is assumption (MAY have received special treatment at the airport, what the town heard) or personal opinion/judgement of the Soldier (not a stellar performer, does the minimum, wore the uniform for gain - NOT supported by the facts presented, making assessments of the Soldier's mental state.). I can't comment on the interactions that you state you won't mention....
So, on the two facts we have:
1. This MAY be a violation. I honestly don't know the effective date of only traveling in ASUs in the new 670-1. IF so, it merits - as a first offense - nothing more than a "don't be a #$%!" counseling session. This wouldn't even make my top ten broken things on any given day. If the "no traveling" prohibition isn't in place yet, nothing to see here.
2. Town throws Soldier a party? GREAT. You state that her family is proud of her, and that her small town is likewise, for whatever reason. Unless there is reason to believe there is a "stolen valor" issue (She's wearing a MoH, "there I was, no shit in the 'nam...."), this is great. Good on the town for welcoming home a Soldier.
Maybe it is a big accomplishment for someone from this small town to do something other than work at the mill.
Maybe she straightened up her life and has a backstory that merits the welcome.
Maybe the town is just patriotic.
Maybe being treated like someone special for being in the military will inspire her to live up to the hype. If she doesn't already.
Bottom line: There is no harm here. Hope she had a great party.
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SFC (Join to see)
The effective date of the newest AR is 31 MAR 2014 Sir. It prohibits the wear of the combat uniform for commercial travel except in very specific circumstances.
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