Posted on Apr 21, 2016
SSG Richard Reilly
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Ok I read a discussion on here and truthfully I am a little worried.
Are we so scared of SHARP violations and so sensitive to Soldier's views that leaders have to prove they are innocent before they are found guilty?
If a Soldier believes he or she is being harassed yet provides no proof is our standard response to report?
Should a Soldier have more rights than a NCO because of feelings?

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-far-is-too-far-when-an-e-5-is-harassing-you-he-is-brand-new-and-puffing-out-his-new-sergeant-chest-but-has-harassed-me-to-no-end
Posted in these groups: E1688309 SHARPDanger political correctness 300x300 Political CorrectnessImages 20 NCOs
Edited 8 y ago
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SGT Ben Keen
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I do not think this type of thing is just limited to the military. I think this sort of thing is being seen more and more throughout the country and the world. It is nothing new to see a group of people walk over another group of people, just look in your history books for examples of that. However, I do feel that people are becoming more and more scared to cause a scene or to be brought up on charges that they rather sink back into their hole rather than to stand up for what is right.

A personal example of this happened to me a few years ago during the Occupy Movement. During that time, a group of people set up "housing" in what was once one of the public parks downtown. While the space still remains to be a park, it is no longer accessible to the public. Anyways, people saw this as some sort of freedom of speech activity which it was; however harassment is not freedom of speech. While working downtown during this time, I saw these people walk up to others as we tried to make our way to work. One day, as I made my to work carrying my assault pack with my computer and other things in it, a group from Veterans for Peace came up to me. I excused myself as I was running late for work. Later that day, while making my way back home, this same group of people came up to me and tried to yet again talk to me. I stood there and let them talk but after a few minutes I had to excuse myself so I could get home. This interaction continued for 2 more days until the third end when things got a little crazy. After having this run in on back to back days, I was getting a little more than ticked off but I was willing to listen. Willing that is until one of the groups members challenged my service. I did not take to kindly to that. I'm proud of my service. I did not ask to go to war but I signed up to follow the orders of those over me and they told me to go to war. As we had our heated discussion I noticed others were harassing other people and that is when I said I had enough.

Yes practice your right to say what you want but we should not be afraid to disagree with you.
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SGT Ben Keen
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SSG Richard Reilly
SSG Richard Reilly
8 y
SGT Ben Keen - I would never disagree with you...unless you are wrong then you must support my view or suffer the punishment of a thousand wet noodle slaps...just saying. On this topic but off..
Person expresses their view of not agreeing with homosexuality because they are Christian.
Homosexuals chastise and threaten Christians...Ironic?
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SGT Ben Keen
SGT Ben Keen
8 y
SSG Richard Reilly - The world is full of ironic examples. While I never hold someone back from holding onto an ideal, I often find myself questioning where their ideals came from.
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SSG Richard Reilly
SSG Richard Reilly
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SGT Ben Keen - Ideals come from beliefs and in turn come from experiences and upbringing. You can sway from beliefs you are taught but most the time you tend to still have those thoughts in your mind. Sociology classes coming out here. A KKK member who raises his kids to hate whomever does it not by saying these people are bad but by constantly showing their hate for that group. Yes a kid may develop a different opinion eventually but a majority of the time those beliefs are engrained.
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1stSgt Sergeant Major/First Sergeant
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I stated my thoughts on said discussion. Troops who come here for advice need to understand that we are all sea lawyers, they are probably fitting the facts to suit their narrative and that the very vast overriding majority of us have limited legal experience. They need to talk to their chain of command. I believe that there is not a fine line between harassment and leadership, that line is in fact quite broad. There are many different leadership styles and if you don't like your Sergeants style, boo-f*cking-hoo. This is not Burger King, you don't get your way. The service member acted out of line and the Sergeant responded in kind. If the service member is really that great then they will get promoted, but for some reason they did not.

Mark my words, at some point, some ass is going to toss out their version of the story and some well meaning vet or service member is going to give them bum scoop, like going to see the EO or IG for Gods sake, and the original poster is going to get screwed, with little to no lube, and answer "that is what they told me to on Rallypoint".

The only expectable answer for that inquiry was "GO TALK TO YOUR CHAIN OF COMMAND". In my opinion, anyone who answered other than that was irresponsible.
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SSG Richard Reilly
SSG Richard Reilly
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I have a slight legal background...it seemed to me like she was more butt hurt. However with that aside I was more disturbed by everyone jumping to REPORT instead of what are the facts.
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1stSgt Sergeant Major/First Sergeant
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Butt hurt is an understatement. But, mark my words, it is only time until that one get tossed around.
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SSG Richard Reilly
SSG Richard Reilly
8 y
When a Soldier feels they can second guess a NCO and the command backs them it will lead to that Soldier and others second guessing a NCO in a combat situations and people will die. Just saying...2 cents.
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SGM Erik Marquez
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Edited 8 y ago
I retired in 2014, so my opinion is somewhat dated.
But yes, at that time I felt the accuser was being afforded an automatic assumption of innocence and correctness, and the accused left to defend themselves against an automatic assumption of guilt.

It seemed leaders at all levels felt the need to do this in order to not be looked at as being part of the problem.
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SGM Erik Marquez
SGM Erik Marquez
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SSG Richard Reilly - Ahh, Ha, I now see this post is a follow up to a related thread someplace else..and only a few here are privy to both..
Now I understand why this one seems to lack context. Please post a link to the thread which led to this one, for those of us that have not seen the other.
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1stSgt Sergeant Major/First Sergeant
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SFC (Anonymous) - I read that. That is quite a distinction and you got it fairly quickly. Went from calm discussion to WTF in about 2 comments.
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SSG Trevor S.
SSG Trevor S.
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SFC (Anonymous) it seems like nobody wanted to actually read the question. Most people saw the word "harassing" and seemed to pull out a knee jerk reaction. The actual issues were barely even pursued by the people who were commenting.
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