Barracks
Barracks
Posted on Mar 6, 2014
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Leaders,
I conducted a barracks inspection today. One of my Soldiers, not white, had a modified rebel flag hanging in his room. On it was an eagle and written "these colors don't run".
While common sense to some says this probably shouldn't be there, is there anything that specifically says yes or no. AR 600-15, para 2-4 says a commander can have certain flags and etc removed to maintain good order and discipline.
Who or what determines that this is a violation. What may be offensive to some may not be to others, religion, heritage, etc. Your thoughts?
I conducted a barracks inspection today. One of my Soldiers, not white, had a modified rebel flag hanging in his room. On it was an eagle and written "these colors don't run".
While common sense to some says this probably shouldn't be there, is there anything that specifically says yes or no. AR 600-15, para 2-4 says a commander can have certain flags and etc removed to maintain good order and discipline.
Who or what determines that this is a violation. What may be offensive to some may not be to others, religion, heritage, etc. Your thoughts?
EO
Advice
Policy
Confederate Flag
Barracks
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 2353
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I have a "Rebel" flag tattooed upon my right shoulder. I know the history and meaning of my flag. Although history was written by the victor, the South has a strong and proud history. If someone has an issue with a symbol that is a strong part of our cultural and military history they should crack open a book.
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Maj Rob Drury
SPC Christopher Smith - "...if your roommate doesn't care that you have it up, then it should not be a problem."
And if he does care, it's none of his business.
And if he does care, it's none of his business.
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Maj Rob Drury
SSgt Tom Neven - The civil war was absolutely not started over slavery, but over federal overreach and a breach of states' rights. Was slavery a particular point of contention between the states and the federal government? Sadly it was, but it was still a separate issue.
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Maj Rob Drury
LCpl Austin Scott - It is fair to debate whether the south was justified in drawing the line where it did, but their intent was not treason, but the proper and lawful overthrow of what they viewed as federal government tyranny as described in the Declaration of Independence. In the American Revolution, we were certainly traitors to England, but it is correctly understood that our actions were justified and appropriate. Given that that was the overriding principle of our nation's founding, and that it remains a foundational principle, it seems quite inconsistent to describe the south that way.
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Just a few thoughts. First of all, Sgt Newman is correct, and SSG Woods makes the salient point that the American flag has some stains of the same color on it as well.
Secondly, what should be done if a soldier of Japanese descent displayed a Japanese flag in their room. After all we fought a war with the (then) racist Japanese as well. I can't tell you how many times I have seen Puerto Rican flags hanging in barracks rooms as well. Where should the line be drawn? How do the French feel about a Cinco de Mayo celebration when it celebrates the defeat of their forces?
The point is, the things that can potentially offend someone are legion. It is important to note that inanimate objects are not, of, and in, themselves "offensive". To be offensive, someone has to CHOOSE to be offended.
I understand I'm not citing any regulations so I'm not answering the original question, and I DO believe that the line has to be drawn.... I would draw that line closer to the Nazi flag than to the flag known as the Stars and Bars, or which Sgt Newman accurately pointed out, is known as the Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia.
Secondly, what should be done if a soldier of Japanese descent displayed a Japanese flag in their room. After all we fought a war with the (then) racist Japanese as well. I can't tell you how many times I have seen Puerto Rican flags hanging in barracks rooms as well. Where should the line be drawn? How do the French feel about a Cinco de Mayo celebration when it celebrates the defeat of their forces?
The point is, the things that can potentially offend someone are legion. It is important to note that inanimate objects are not, of, and in, themselves "offensive". To be offensive, someone has to CHOOSE to be offended.
I understand I'm not citing any regulations so I'm not answering the original question, and I DO believe that the line has to be drawn.... I would draw that line closer to the Nazi flag than to the flag known as the Stars and Bars, or which Sgt Newman accurately pointed out, is known as the Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia.
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SSG Gerhard S.
SSG Elyzabeth Cromer thank you for your service, and for sharing your perspectives on this issue. Your points are well received, but I'd like to point out that the flag of Imperial Japan has not changed since well before WWII. It's literally the same national flag.
Regarding PR, I wasn't attempting to denigrate PR in any way. Please read one, or more of my explanations regarding PR. Suffice to say, you are correct in saying PR is a US Territory, and though you attempt to equate it as a State, it is not. In fact PR repeatedly votes against Statehood, while enjoying the benefits, and protections of US citizenship, but not having to pay US Federal income taxes. Again, no criticism intended. Most of us would take that deal if we could.
Respectful regards.
Regarding PR, I wasn't attempting to denigrate PR in any way. Please read one, or more of my explanations regarding PR. Suffice to say, you are correct in saying PR is a US Territory, and though you attempt to equate it as a State, it is not. In fact PR repeatedly votes against Statehood, while enjoying the benefits, and protections of US citizenship, but not having to pay US Federal income taxes. Again, no criticism intended. Most of us would take that deal if we could.
Respectful regards.
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SFC (Join to see)
Confederate flag effectively banned from military installations
Defense Secretary Mark Esper's guidance lays out which flags can be flown in public, and the criteria don't support the Confederate battle flag.
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The Confederate flag offends some because of what it represents. Ok that's fair.
Let's not forget the reprehensible and atrocious things that happened in this country under the USA flag (child labor, Japanese concentration camps, segregation).
I'm just pointing out there is a much larger picture here.
Let's not forget the reprehensible and atrocious things that happened in this country under the USA flag (child labor, Japanese concentration camps, segregation).
I'm just pointing out there is a much larger picture here.
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LTC Jorge Cordero
SPC Matt Ovaska - There is a big difference between mowing lawns of shoveling snow than working in a textile mill for 16 hours as a 9 year old.
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SPC Matt Ovaska
I'm sorry, you worked in a textile mill for 16 hrs. a day. Those mills are very noisy. At 9 yrs old, you couldn't possibly reach the spools...
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SPC Stiv ChenRobbins
SP5 Wick Humble - You are probably right, when the illegal immigrants brought their children with them or sent them here alone, we should just have, I don't know, locked up the parents and left the kids out on the street? I am sure there would be a line of people looking to take them home and use them, much like the Cartels do now. And there is always a demand for child sex workers, so you keep on blowing that horn.
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