Wisconsin National Guard suspends Honor Guard soldiers over casket incident

1SG Michael Blount — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 17:15:03 -0500

What's next? Pestilence, flies and locusts? The fit has rightfully hit the shan. I would take all the people involved and dishonorably discharge every last one.

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_25173409/wisconsin-national-guard-suspends-soldiers-after-casket-incident Wisconsin National Guard suspends soldiers after casket incident MILWAUKEE -- The Wisconsin National Guard said Tuesday that it had susp...

Wisconsin National Guard suspends soldiers after casket incident

MILWAUKEE -- The Wisconsin National Guard said Tuesday that it had suspended a member from honor guard duties after she apparently posted to social media a photograph of soldiers mugging around an emp...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 5:22 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 17:22:55 -0500

All I can do is shake my head and lower it in shame... They make us all look horrible.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 7:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 19:24:32 -0500

Yeah, what were they thinking ??????

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2014 6:54 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 06:54:59 -0500

Perception is reality in this life.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Feb 20 at 2014 8:16 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 08:16:49 -0500

....dumbasses. Boot them out. We don't need them. The military wants to reduce numbers. Start with those soldiers, NG or Regular army it does not matter.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Feb 21 at 2014 1:53 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 01:53:48 -0500

As soon as Flag and Senior Officers and Senior NCOs stop showing up in the news for behaving badly, I'll worry about the antics of a few juniors from the National Guard and Air Force.

Perception is reality, 1SG, and the reality is, there is no respect from or for the brass, what makes you think they are going to respect the dead when we shit on the living? It's a top down problem. Top.

If you want any respect for the flag or the uniform, police your own first.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Feb 25 at 2014 7:34 PM

1SG Michael Blount — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 19:34:51 -0500

Oh, you're gonna love this - one of Ft Carson's "finest" An absolutely disgusting image of the Army. Can't we do better?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2014 7:39 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Feb 2014 19:39:20 -0500

a few throat punches and then a boot to the ass would probably start their punishment off

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Mar 3 at 2014 8:23 AM

1SG Michael Blount — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 08:23:02 -0500

Here we go again...Please tell me what's wrong with this picture. If I had any hair, I'd be pulling it out now.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2014 7:20 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 19:20:46 -0500

Empty casket or not, it should be treated in the same way of the thing it represents. If I was out training with my unit and using "rubber duck" M4's and I was waving it about, flagging the guys to my left and right, I would expect the same reprimand if I were doing that with a real M4. I've been taught to train as we fight. I apologize for my generation.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Mar 6 at 2014 7:02 AM

1SG Michael Blount — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 07:02:09 -0500

Every time I turn around, it seems like somebody else is busy acting like an idiot. NOW it's an Army BG. Way to set the example - if anyone needs to be thrown out of the Army, I nominate ex-BG Sinclair first in the door.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/05/justice/army-general-charges/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Lawyer: General accused of sex crimes to plead to some of the lesser charges

Lawyer: Ex-Brig. Gen. Jeffery Sinclair, accused of "sodomy ... by force" and other military crimes, will plead guilty on some charges but not the most serious.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2014 7:49 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 19:49:57 -0400

We have sunk this low 1SG. The discipline that existed even when I joined 8 years ago was much better than this. But the Army isn't what it used to be, unfortunately. I believe that there are several factors involved in that, and they don't start with the Soldiers joining today. To be quite honest, and I mean no disrespect, it starts at the top, with the senior leaders, and trickles downward. Fear is used as a mechanism to gain respect. Rank is seen as an entitlement rather than a privilege and responsibility. True respect comes from trust. And I know few leaders these days who earn true respect. When a person only shows respect to the rank in person, but disparages that rank as quickly as it takes for them to turn their back, then they aren't going carry discipline outside with them. They aren't going to care how they make that leader look. Because if that leader shows that they don't give a damn about their soldiers, their soldiers aren't going to give a damn about them.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Apr 23 at 2014 2:12 PM

1SG Michael Blount — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 14:12:24 -0400

No wonder Soldiers have little or no confidence in their senior leaders:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/army-general-disciplined-over-mishandling-of-sexual-assault-case-in-japan/2014/04/22/6339f268-ca2b-11e3-a75e-463587891b57_story.html?hpid=z3

New documents reveal how Army general bungled sex-assault investigation in Japan

Pentagon promises accountability, but many generals still on duty months after discipline imposed.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 18 at 2014 11:32 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Sun, 18 May 2014 23:32:08 -0400

I saw this when it first hit the site. I agree, I may not have been the greatest soldier ever to serve my country, but what these "soldiers" did was an absolute disgrace to the uniform they wear. Not to mention the Nation they defend, and represent to the people of this country. It is one thing to disrespect the living and still serving service members is one thing, but to behave this way in front of the family of a fallen comrade is just beyond my comprehension. Court Martial is too good, but is the best thing we have to defend against this type of atrocious behavior. So much for my .02.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Mar 10 at 2015 4:11 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 16:11:03 -0400

I feel so sorry for today's soldiers.

As a 18 year old, stupid, "Private E Nothing", I participated in and quite possibly instigated many instances of awe inspiring stupidity.

Thankfully social media didn't exist at the time or I would have likely used it to embarrass myself on a national stage as well.

Where was the leadership that should have been taking them by the shoulder and impressing upon them the gravity of the responsibility, and leading them to constructive methods of relieving the tension of such awesome responsibility?