Logo uploaded by: SSG Andres Redondo
Coast Guard
Coast Guard
Posted on Oct 31, 2016
Soldier called me a POG and told me to leave the Commissary. What action can I take?
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Note: My friend Carlos is in the Coast Guard and sent me this question last night. He said he's not on RP due to OPSEC (whatever), so he asked me to ask this on RP on his behalf. He is pretty hell bent on getting this Soldier punished. Anyway, let him know your thoughts on the below.
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I’m in the Coast Guard and have been active duty for 6 years. I’m stationed in Hawaii right now. I was up by Schofield Barracks and went on base there, and went to go shop for a few things at the Commissary. I was waiting in line for some fresh meat and there were 2 Army soldiers also in line, in front of me. They were looking at me and saying things to each other. It looked like they were laughing at me. I heard one of them refer to me as a “POG” which is a slang term I am familiar with from social media stuff. I said to them “Excuse me, I heard what you just said, and I feel disrespected.” I was just trying to stick up for myself. One of the soldiers then squared up to me and said “Yeah, I did call you a POG. Because you are a POG. You need to up and leave here – this is an Army Commissary.” A few other people in line heard this and started laughing. I felt so angry that I just left the building.
I know the soldier’s last name from his top, and I would recognize his face. What actions can I take to report him to his chain of command? What other advice do you have?
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I’m in the Coast Guard and have been active duty for 6 years. I’m stationed in Hawaii right now. I was up by Schofield Barracks and went on base there, and went to go shop for a few things at the Commissary. I was waiting in line for some fresh meat and there were 2 Army soldiers also in line, in front of me. They were looking at me and saying things to each other. It looked like they were laughing at me. I heard one of them refer to me as a “POG” which is a slang term I am familiar with from social media stuff. I said to them “Excuse me, I heard what you just said, and I feel disrespected.” I was just trying to stick up for myself. One of the soldiers then squared up to me and said “Yeah, I did call you a POG. Because you are a POG. You need to up and leave here – this is an Army Commissary.” A few other people in line heard this and started laughing. I felt so angry that I just left the building.
I know the soldier’s last name from his top, and I would recognize his face. What actions can I take to report him to his chain of command? What other advice do you have?
Commissary
UCMJ
Coast Guard
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 1480
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While the army soldiers were disrespectful and childish, I don't think this rises to the level of disciplinary action beyond a counseling. Advice to Carlos: Rub against Army and Marines more often...it makes your skin grow thicker. You are a POG. So am I. I'm happy to NOT be a grunt, but so what? And it's NOT an Army commissary, it's a Defense Commissary (DeCA). Remind the grunt (non-POG) we're on the same team, and he should save his BS for the bad guys.
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1LT William Clardy
Nope, Col Joseph Lenertz, you scored a clean miss on my point.
The difference in retention needs between the Army and the Air Force is one of degree (and a much smaller degree than you think), and has very little to do with the difference between those services' norms for living conditions.
The Air Force standard starts with an assumption of large areas of level ground and semi-permanent buildings, and I would wager cash that it's exceptional for airmen to be issued entrenching tools and shelter halves. Also, your standards for cooks' abilities are going to be different when one is routinely required to pack scores of meals that will be trucked to the troops while the other serves freshly cooked meals prepared in a weather-tight kitchen. After 10 or 15 years of living an assortment of similarly fundamental differences, decision-making professional officers are going to have legitimately different opinions of what is their minimal standard that *has* to be met.
The difference in retention needs between the Army and the Air Force is one of degree (and a much smaller degree than you think), and has very little to do with the difference between those services' norms for living conditions.
The Air Force standard starts with an assumption of large areas of level ground and semi-permanent buildings, and I would wager cash that it's exceptional for airmen to be issued entrenching tools and shelter halves. Also, your standards for cooks' abilities are going to be different when one is routinely required to pack scores of meals that will be trucked to the troops while the other serves freshly cooked meals prepared in a weather-tight kitchen. After 10 or 15 years of living an assortment of similarly fundamental differences, decision-making professional officers are going to have legitimately different opinions of what is their minimal standard that *has* to be met.
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Col Joseph Lenertz
Ahhh, the "standards" discussion. You had lost me with frosting a cake, and being a USAFA grad, and airplanes needing runways. No wonder I missed your point. I imagine you have lived in poorer conditions and suffered privations more often than I have. I served my nation 26 years and I take some pride in that. I have been around the world and seen many fine things and am thankful to God for that. I am quite comfortable in my own skin, and I am not jealous of others' greater service or greater suffering. I've only asked for entrenching tools once in my career, and the USMC COS denied my request but instead directed me to RFF a contracting officer to come out to Camp Chaklala (Pakistan) so we could get some medications and eventually clean running water. My best to you, 1LT William Clardy.
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1LT William Clardy
I sincerely hope you didn't take my comments as being meant to imply that the Air Force is somehow less noble for lacking the Army's professional instinct for privation, Col Joseph Lenertz. Quite the contrary - I think y'all would be somewhat loony if you took some perverse pride in not making those marginal investments in reducing pointless misery.
To use another obtuse analogy, I just happen to recognize that someone who's gotten by driving nothing fancier than decade-old Chevies purchased second-hand is going to balk at the sticker price if someone suggests buying a spiffy new Mustang GT, no matter how flush with cash he is. He won't hate, or be jealous, of a friend owning one, but he will always have a hard time picturing himself holding the pink slip.
To use another obtuse analogy, I just happen to recognize that someone who's gotten by driving nothing fancier than decade-old Chevies purchased second-hand is going to balk at the sticker price if someone suggests buying a spiffy new Mustang GT, no matter how flush with cash he is. He won't hate, or be jealous, of a friend owning one, but he will always have a hard time picturing himself holding the pink slip.
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CPT Jim Gallagher
This form of disrespect is uncalled for, we’re supposed to be brothers in arms. The disrespect come in the grand standing by the grunts, not the fact they called the Coastie a POG. I have friends from all branches and we bust on each other constantly, but it’s between us not in public. He should of took the clown to the gym !!
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If anyone is offended by being called a POG, they seriously need to get thicker skin.
My advise, come up with some clever comebacks or carry some kleenex around.
My advise, come up with some clever comebacks or carry some kleenex around.
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SPC Joel Alioto
I was the POG of Pogs, I was a cook in a combat arms unit and not jump qualified. But I treated people with respect and if some young one decided to disrespect me, in front of his buddies Their section got substandard service. Imagine 10 cases of the most hated MRE's, coffee that tasted like kool aid, kool aid that had coffee grounds in it? Then a meal of hot pizzas et, fresh pasties, real eggs etc. c. as I leave I say out loud in ear shot of the commanders, officers and senior nco's, "oh, I am a pog and not a real soldier like you fine men? Wash and repeat after the second or third time those men were burning human waste and I was treated like a man. Don't spit on your quartermaster corp guys, You will regret it.
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SSgt Ronald Orso
POG??? Suck it up, Buttercup. I was USAF, we're all POG's and Proud! Don't hate us because our ASVAB's were above room temperature! (You can use that line)
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SFC Michael D.
I used to tell them "I'm the second word out of your mouth (Medic!) when you get wounded". They'd ask me what is the first word and I'd say "Mommy".
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"Make me"? Challenge them to a duel and raise your dukes. Have them call the MPs and escort you out of the place. Make a big stinkie, kick them in the gonads, laugh in their face and tell them you have a contagious disease spread through body fluids. Beg them to hit you. Call "incoming" and run in while they figure out what that means. Call mom, she'll fix it.
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Col Rebecca Lorraine
I was a 96B then a flight nurse. Didn’t have the 11B option when I enlisted in 1975
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LTC (Join to see)
Col Rebecca Lorraine - Flight Nurse = 11B Savior, you're a huge part of the team! (Yes, I started out as an 11B)
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Paul Langtry
LTC (Join to see) Thank you Sir for the 5 points. You seem quite certain I have no clue. I guess we have a different perspective on life. Take care PAR ONERI
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