Is it ok to interrupt a meaningful event with the National Anthem while in a foreign country?

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 14:32:42 -0400

I am sure many of you have seen the video of the soldier in the Middle East playing the Star Spangled Banner during a time of call to prayer. I am sure that some feel this is perfectly fine, but to me, this is flat disrespectful. How would the American public react if someone did this during the National Anthem? I'm sure that plenty of people will disagree with me on this, but that is why we serve

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 29 at 2016 2:34 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 14:34:17 -0400

It's extraordinarily disrespectful, but we've somehow elevated 'Muricuh! (nationalism) to virtue status....

Response by CSM David Heidke made Mar 29 at 2016 2:34 PM

CSM David Heidke — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 14:34:55 -0400

I don't think it's a particularly good idea, no. Nor do I think it wins any hearts and minds.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Mar 29 at 2016 2:45 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 14:45:39 -0400

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member Absolutely disrespectful. If it was in America, then it would be more of a gray area, but in a foreign land, respect the local customs. Things like this are the reason the phrase ugly american exists.

Response by CDR Jon Corrigan made Mar 29 at 2016 3:27 PM

CDR Jon Corrigan — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 15:27:17 -0400

A few years ago I was stationed in Turkey (not Incirlik). The mosques had recently iinstalled CD systems to standardize the call to prayer in smaller towns because many muezzin apparently sounded really terrible. The news reported that morning call to prayers went badly for one town when the wrong CD was inserted and the townsfolk got to hear a good dose of AC/DC. I often wondered what happened to the poor guy responsible for that, since the Directorate for Religious Affairs wasn't known for having a sense of humor. Nothing to do with the topic, but brought back that memory.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 29 at 2016 4:25 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 16:25:57 -0400

It shows cultural insensitivity and much harm can be done for not making the right choice.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Mar 29 at 2016 4:32 PM

Maj Mike Sciales — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 16:32:22 -0400

Well first off - excellent cultural awareness and sensitivity. That is a great trait and you are to be commended. However, understand that prayer call is just that -- think Church bells tolling. It isn't a National Anthem and my experience is nobody much notices because you are either going to pray or you won't and you know what time prayer is because you read the paper or set your watch or iPhones. Having said that, the P.A. person or whoever was in charge of playing the National Anthem ought to display a half a lick of sense and read those same publicly posted prayer times and plan accordingly 5 minutes before is plenty of time deconfliction. Unless that person just wants to be contentious and expose his or her command staff to some unwelcome publicity. If I had to answer the mail on that question I can assure you somebody would come to understand fully what a lapse in judgment that decision was.

Response by PO3 Maureen Ruane made Mar 29 at 2016 8:28 PM

PO3 Maureen Ruane — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 20:28:16 -0400

It's your watch, do as your Commanding Officer requests. You are, afterall. representing the U.S. in other countries.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Mar 29 at 2016 9:46 PM

Maj Mike Sciales — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 21:46:52 -0400

Just watched it. Great rendition. Didn't do a damn thing for improving relations or winning hearts and minds. Most of the F-tard comments were from wanna-bes.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2016 3:16 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 03:16:31 -0400

It is very disrespectful and stupid.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Mar 30 at 2016 11:12 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 11:12:40 -0400

If I am in their country, I am a GUEST. Very disrespectful to do something like that.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Mar 30 at 2016 11:23 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 11:23:28 -0400

We always do colors at 0800. If there are other things going on that we interrupt, it could be a protocol issues... Sunset is even trickier...

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2016 4:04 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 16:04:09 -0400

It's rude regardless of where you are at.