Posted on Jun 19, 2017
What do you think of young men and women in uniform being denied the privilege of participating in graduation ceremonies in uniform?
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Many schools are not allowing service members to graduate in uniforms they have earned the right to wear. What does this say about the state of patriotism in our country today?
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 40
"What does this say about the state of patriotism in our country today?"
It doesn't say a damn thing about patriotism. It says that the school has a standard of dress for graduation ... and is enforcing it. IMV, a high school graduation is the last time the class will do something together and all should wear the "uniform of the day." To wear something that sets one apart from one's classmates is divisive, not unifying, and is disrespectful of them and the occasion. Proud of your uniform? Great - wear it under the robe and stand tall in it ... after the graduation ceremony.
It doesn't say a damn thing about patriotism. It says that the school has a standard of dress for graduation ... and is enforcing it. IMV, a high school graduation is the last time the class will do something together and all should wear the "uniform of the day." To wear something that sets one apart from one's classmates is divisive, not unifying, and is disrespectful of them and the occasion. Proud of your uniform? Great - wear it under the robe and stand tall in it ... after the graduation ceremony.
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LTC (Join to see)
MCPO Roger Collins - Thanks. It isn't one of those things I'm going to fall on my sword about. If a state law allows it - fine. If the school allows it - fine. I wouldn't have bothered to comment had the issue not been framed as one of patriotism. I'm glad to see schools have and enforce standards.
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SFC Kelly Fuerhoff
LTC (Join to see) - In one case in California (the most recent one I've heard) the state allows it and then the school told him he could wear his uniform a few months before graduation. Then the day before they said no he couldn't. That's pretty shitty if you ask me. Especially when they already said yes and state law allows it.
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LTC (Join to see)
SFC Kelly Fuerhoff - Yep. That was a thread here on RP and I commented on it. The school should have followed state law. Also see my comment to MCPO Roger Collins in response to his response to my comment.
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Maj Thomas Cox
Thanks for laying down suppressing fire...I'm going to the O'club for a beer. Proud to have worn the uniform, but we still need to conform to established standards...it's what sets us apart from anarchy and chaos!!!
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Have your uniform on under the cap and gown. Then when the gig is over, take them off and show off.
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SGM Mikel Dawson
SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. - Thanks, sometimes rational suggestions come from my clogged brain.
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SGM Mikel Dawson
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter - He did it right. Glad to hear an officer can think this out without an NCO to guide 'em. He was trained well.
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Honestly, I think it's a shame that someone wouldn't be allowed to wear it despite going above and beyond to graduate early and enlist. But then I saw a facebook meme that only made even more sense than facebook usually does. Simply put, it stated "Well maybe they should have worn the proper uniform of the day instead of trying to be on their own program".
Regarding the patriotism of today, that's been dwindling for awhile now. More than a decade of armed conflict will do that to the public.
Regarding the patriotism of today, that's been dwindling for awhile now. More than a decade of armed conflict will do that to the public.
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PFC Jonathan Albano
Cpl Justin Goolsby - It's not all that different than when use to I wear my PT uniform to final formation because I had a physical therapy appointment around the same time or, for that matter, when my commander announced the uniform of the day as "appropriate civilian attire" for mandatory fun time. In these situations, did I match everyone else? No. Was I in the uniform of the day? Yes. The concept of uniform of the day is simply that you are in the right clothes at the right time. For some of the SM's at these ceremonies, that can include their dress uniform, for other's it can't. It literally depends on what they are authorized by the law.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Cpl Justin Goolsby - I agree with your points. I think it's crazy not to let a SM wear their uniform but at the same time I can see the administration not wanting one person standing out from the rest. Especially when the point of the ceremony is not to recognize military service, but High School graduation. There are plenty of ceremonies and parades to honor military service. It would be like wearing your dress uniform to someone else's wedding. Why draw attention to yourself when the ceremony has nothing to do with you or your service. Obviously this would be different if it were a military wedding and whatnot.
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SFC Kelly Fuerhoff
Cpl Justin Goolsby: They aren't graduating early to enlist. Most of these they did split option which is what Guard and Reserve can do. They do basic between their junior and senior year. Then go to AIT after they graduate. That's the only way that someone is going to get to basic before they graduate high school.
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