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First of all I'm not a cursing sailor (paradox, no kidding). I've been to commands where virtually everyone around me cursed and it was EXTREMELY hard to keep it clean (working with Marines of course).
I've also been at commands where we have designated 'no cursing' zones, where you're 'fined' anywhere from quarter to a dollar every time you do.
Should we promote more profanity-free environments? Is foul language finally going out of style and becomes increasingly unprofessional? Traditions aside, answer objectively please
I've also been at commands where we have designated 'no cursing' zones, where you're 'fined' anywhere from quarter to a dollar every time you do.
Should we promote more profanity-free environments? Is foul language finally going out of style and becomes increasingly unprofessional? Traditions aside, answer objectively please
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 74
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MAJ Ballinger summed it up nicely. I have been tactical almost my whole career. I use profanity more than I should, but I do my best to use it where it adds emphasis to what I am trying to get across. Frankly, my Troopers can relate. Trying to remove words from someone's lexicon of knowledge is impossible. You can beat it out of them, but it comes back. It's silly and a waste of time...and it makes me question the term offensive. Why would we need to do so? Because it offends the sensibilities of someone so righteous that they can't be assaulted by words? They think they are better and shouldn't have to put up with vulgarity around them? Ladies and gentlemen, I submit that we KILL PEOPLE for a living. That's a little bit more offensive than an F-bomb every now and then. The juxtaposition of that fact versus being offended by swearing is laughable.
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SFC Mark Merino
PO1 (Join to see) I hope this makes it's rounds......
Such a delicate issue....Perhaps I can answer now that I am retired....When I was a grunt, there were a lot less pinkies out. Our job isn't to teach grammar and etiquette by to close with and DESTROY the enemy by definition. But destroy is such an ugly word. Heavens to Betsy, that just won't do. Times change my friends. Leaders are under intense scrutiny. I'll be golly gee shucky darned gee willikered if I am going to get caught on video that brings heat on the boss because I have shameful potty mouth. Wall to wall counseling? Don't you mean assault? Blood wings? Don't you mean hostile work environment? Napalm only sticks to evil dictators....NEVER will it adhere to "all the people of the world" Do we even call it napalm anymore, or can't we come up with a more PC term like bad man sticky poo poo juice? Are you willing to be diagnosed with an anti-personality disorder and attend classes to get in touch with your inner child that aches for a hug? Not me. I want to change regulations to accommodate ONE person so millions of service members can truly know that someone ELSE is an Army of one. Standby for the uniform changes that will be reversible. The inverse to the uniform will be your choice of ice cream vendor or tuxedo as to not offend anyone the populous. The enemy, excuse me, change that to the "peace-challenged easily misunderstood scamps, will clearly follow suit. Then my friends, we can use non-fat, vegan, organic cream puffs at 20 paces, as long as we clean up the mess with organic cleaner and minimize the waste. We could all go on and on and on but I'm sure there is some sensitivity training that we need to be preparing for. I'm sorry I didn't spend a million in tax dollars to translate this rant into 47 different languages. I'm just a mcgrumpy old doo doo face who isn't in touch with the times. (Rant over.....microphone dropped onto the stage from my soap box).
Such a delicate issue....Perhaps I can answer now that I am retired....When I was a grunt, there were a lot less pinkies out. Our job isn't to teach grammar and etiquette by to close with and DESTROY the enemy by definition. But destroy is such an ugly word. Heavens to Betsy, that just won't do. Times change my friends. Leaders are under intense scrutiny. I'll be golly gee shucky darned gee willikered if I am going to get caught on video that brings heat on the boss because I have shameful potty mouth. Wall to wall counseling? Don't you mean assault? Blood wings? Don't you mean hostile work environment? Napalm only sticks to evil dictators....NEVER will it adhere to "all the people of the world" Do we even call it napalm anymore, or can't we come up with a more PC term like bad man sticky poo poo juice? Are you willing to be diagnosed with an anti-personality disorder and attend classes to get in touch with your inner child that aches for a hug? Not me. I want to change regulations to accommodate ONE person so millions of service members can truly know that someone ELSE is an Army of one. Standby for the uniform changes that will be reversible. The inverse to the uniform will be your choice of ice cream vendor or tuxedo as to not offend anyone the populous. The enemy, excuse me, change that to the "peace-challenged easily misunderstood scamps, will clearly follow suit. Then my friends, we can use non-fat, vegan, organic cream puffs at 20 paces, as long as we clean up the mess with organic cleaner and minimize the waste. We could all go on and on and on but I'm sure there is some sensitivity training that we need to be preparing for. I'm sorry I didn't spend a million in tax dollars to translate this rant into 47 different languages. I'm just a mcgrumpy old doo doo face who isn't in touch with the times. (Rant over.....microphone dropped onto the stage from my soap box).
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
COL (Join to see) I love the way you rationalize swearing, spoken like a true politician...they are 'sentance enhancers', not swearing....lol.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
Amongst like minded professionals, I think we can cut red tape and cut to the chase...a fee sentance enhancers here or there are totally fine. When dealing with other professions or professionals one needs to feel out the water...I do not think an instructor should swear, that is a loss of bearing...but again, factor your audience, if you teach anything infantry, you'd better cuss...because it comes with the territory and well, builds rapport. My thought and experience anyways. Anyone have a field where you actually HAVEN'T to awear? Like a DI or DS?
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I was at a command, not going to mention where, but there was a no cussing jar just outside of my office. I politely explained to the commander and the secretary, that they could do whatever they wanted. If they thought for a moment that there was going to be no profane language coming from my office, they may want to either A, move or B find someone else to deal with the misfits. I was left alone and given latitude.
That being said, time and place. You need to be able to turn things on and off. There really is appropriate and not appropriate.
I tend to deviate back to old-school, tough love, not everybody gets a prize, I have a drawer full of hurt feelings reports, "just begin" leadership. But, mine is a profession of arms........and so are many of the rest of yours.
Sometimes, you have to put things into language that leaves no room for interpretation.
That being said, time and place. You need to be able to turn things on and off. There really is appropriate and not appropriate.
I tend to deviate back to old-school, tough love, not everybody gets a prize, I have a drawer full of hurt feelings reports, "just begin" leadership. But, mine is a profession of arms........and so are many of the rest of yours.
Sometimes, you have to put things into language that leaves no room for interpretation.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
I may pick the place and circumstance I use any profanity but I will NOT put any money in a jar because of the words I choose. There are places its not all that proper but I don't think I've ever needed a watchdog to determine where that is and isn't.
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You aren't going to stop folks from cursing. Personally, I'm not big on it but it has its place.
General George S. Patton said, "When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty. It may not sound nice to some bunch of little old ladies at an afternoon tea party, but it helps my soldiers to remember. You can't run an army without profanity; and it has to be eloquent profanity. An army without profanity couldn't fight its way out of a piss-soaked paper bag. ... As for the types of comments I make, sometimes I just, By God, get carried away with my own eloquence."
General George S. Patton said, "When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty. It may not sound nice to some bunch of little old ladies at an afternoon tea party, but it helps my soldiers to remember. You can't run an army without profanity; and it has to be eloquent profanity. An army without profanity couldn't fight its way out of a piss-soaked paper bag. ... As for the types of comments I make, sometimes I just, By God, get carried away with my own eloquence."
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Capt Jeff S.
George S. Patton had a way with words and at times it got him in trouble with his superiors... but he definitely knew how to send the troops an "eloquent" message!
When I was a troop, a Captain came up to me and recommended I read "Patton Principles". Patton was definitely hell on wheels and as many troops admired him, there were plenty that hated him. I read it and applied what lessons I found inspiring.
https://openlibrary.org/books/OL2068713M/General_Patton's_principles_for_life_and_leadership
Also, I didn't notice it because it was buried on another page of responses but SGT Thomas Sullivan and I were on the same wavelength. Great minds think alike : )~
When I was a troop, a Captain came up to me and recommended I read "Patton Principles". Patton was definitely hell on wheels and as many troops admired him, there were plenty that hated him. I read it and applied what lessons I found inspiring.
https://openlibrary.org/books/OL2068713M/General_Patton's_principles_for_life_and_leadership
Also, I didn't notice it because it was buried on another page of responses but SGT Thomas Sullivan and I were on the same wavelength. Great minds think alike : )~
General Patton's principles for life and leadership by Porter B. Williamson, 1988,Management and Systems Consultants edition, in English
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