Posted on May 4, 2016
Do you believe that these West Point first classman are violating the UCMJ by making a political statement while in uniform?
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DOD directive 1344.10 states:
-A member of the Armed Forces on active duty may:
4.1.1.3. Join a partisan or nonpartisan political club and attend its meetings when NOT in uniform, subject to the restrictions of subparagraph 4.1.2.4. (See DoD Instruction 1334.1 (Reference (c).)
From the article "Racism Within West Point"
http://www.inthearenafitness.com/index.php/racism-within-west-point
-A member of the Armed Forces on active duty may:
4.1.1.3. Join a partisan or nonpartisan political club and attend its meetings when NOT in uniform, subject to the restrictions of subparagraph 4.1.2.4. (See DoD Instruction 1334.1 (Reference (c).)
From the article "Racism Within West Point"
http://www.inthearenafitness.com/index.php/racism-within-west-point
Posted in these groups: 
United States Military Academy (USMA West Point)
Black Lives Matter
PoliticsUSCC
UCMJ
United States Military Academy (USMA West Point) Black Lives Matter PoliticsUSCC UCMJ
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 237
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The last 7 years of the current administration has increased division based on race in America. The military has always been a reflection of culture. I see some of the racial division going on in society in this all black ladies picture of fist held up.
Perhaps, if everyone on active duty was made to wear green face paint and given an order we are all green. Racial division would no longer be an issue until a veteran is within the civilian puke environment.
Perhaps, if everyone on active duty was made to wear green face paint and given an order we are all green. Racial division would no longer be an issue until a veteran is within the civilian puke environment.
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Q: What was the context in which they were raising their fists?
I'm not asking to be a smartass COL, only asking because the picture shows no caption.
I'm not asking to be a smartass COL, only asking because the picture shows no caption.
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SSgt (Join to see)
In the 70s we had black Athletes with the same pose and closed fist. Hopefully, we are getting away the need for that/ MSG (Join to see)
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MSG (Join to see)
CPT (Anonymous) - Not if there was a caption. As an aside, your screen name, "Captain Anonymous" ... it's kind of a cool sounding Marvel or DC character name.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
LT Miranda Bernabei - I always knew my 21 year association while in the Navy with Scientist, Engineers and Technicians would lead to my Moral Downfall. LOL!
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This is a demonstration of partisan politics. Being senior cadets, they are under contract to the service. Being West Point cadets under contract, they are subject to the punitive articles of the UCMJ, Articles 77-134 (see Art 2). These cadets can be subject to Art 15 or CM for publicly displaying signs of partisan politics. Also, while DoD Directive 1325.6 says it is DoD policy to preserve military members' "right of expression," the demonstration must be out of uniform and off-base. So, three strikes against these cadets.
Even if it weren't against the law, it's still stupid. Who wants a stupid officer? (But I could be wrong, Eisenhower and Doolittle did some pretty stupid stuff, too.)
I hope leadership showed them the error of their ways pretty quickly.
Even if it weren't against the law, it's still stupid. Who wants a stupid officer? (But I could be wrong, Eisenhower and Doolittle did some pretty stupid stuff, too.)
I hope leadership showed them the error of their ways pretty quickly.
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Capt Michael Greene
No, I didn't call them stupid. I said "it" was stupid. They might all be geniuses and masters of the military arts, for all we know. I also admitted that some of our greatest generals did stupid things, too. Possibly, I may have. The bulk of my post was informative and factual to clear up the questions of law. The ladies clearly violated the UCMJ and need some guidance. I don't think this is personal between you and me.
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Capt Michael Greene
Maybe. Looking at the long view, we take into account that there are still plenty of white racists in their environment, preceded by enforced segregation where Black units had white officers, preceded by a hundreds years of Jim Crow enforced by the KKK, which included a whole lot of legislators and lawmen, preceding by 250 years of slavery.
But that's only secondary. The fact is that the raised fist salute is used by everyone, everywhere, to signify solidarity of any kind.
So why do they feel the need to stand together and express solidarity? It could be because whenever 3 or more Blacks eat at the same table, they are told to break up. Groups of Blacks are discouraged even as study groups. (I get this from news reports.) When Obama took office, the n-word was frequently heard.
In that light, I'm surprised at their restraint.
But that's only secondary. The fact is that the raised fist salute is used by everyone, everywhere, to signify solidarity of any kind.
So why do they feel the need to stand together and express solidarity? It could be because whenever 3 or more Blacks eat at the same table, they are told to break up. Groups of Blacks are discouraged even as study groups. (I get this from news reports.) When Obama took office, the n-word was frequently heard.
In that light, I'm surprised at their restraint.
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From the ArmyTimes:
West Point is investigating a photo that shows 16 black female cadets in uniform displaying raised fists outside a U.S. Military Academy barracks.
“We can confirm that the cadets in this photo are members of the U.S. Military Academy's Class of 2016,” said West Point’s director of public affairs Lt. Col. Christopher Kasker in an emailed statement. “Academy officials are conducting an inquiry into the matter. "While many details are unknown about the photo, the image has been shared widely in military circles, with claims the women are supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
West Point is investigating a photo that shows 16 black female cadets in uniform displaying raised fists outside a U.S. Military Academy barracks.
“We can confirm that the cadets in this photo are members of the U.S. Military Academy's Class of 2016,” said West Point’s director of public affairs Lt. Col. Christopher Kasker in an emailed statement. “Academy officials are conducting an inquiry into the matter. "While many details are unknown about the photo, the image has been shared widely in military circles, with claims the women are supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
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The military is not a social experiment! They may express their views in their "off duty" time while "NOT" in uniform. As potential officers, they must realize the meaning of "good order and discipline" and the ramifications if this tenant is broken.
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There are several violations in this picture. First they are standing on the railing with swords. Clearly they did not do a risk assessment, and think of measures to lower the risk, they do not have on a safety harness to catch them if they lose balance and fall. This is required by OSHA if you are working a certain height above the ground. But his being Hudson High ERRRR,,, West Point I have complete confidence that they know, and follow all relevant regulations/policies. Ok I was trying to be funny, but these future leaders need to explain what they mean. If you leave it to us to figure out your meaning,, well you get all kinds of scenarios. I feel quite sure though that there are no future MacArthur’s, Patton’s or Eisenhower’s in that group.
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MSG Jay Jackson
If he is out of uniform he is wrong and should be put right. But I do not see where he is a safety violation to his fellow soldiers. Also how do we not know that his commander did not allow the beads for the event? These cadets leave the picture to us I guess to interpret. Looks like a power salute to me. Besides I would hate to see one of them fall off the damn railing and stab a classmate. But in the end the Principal at Hudson High errr,, West Point will decide. Also I find it ironic that this happened in front of the hall for military ethics.
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MSG Jay Jackson
CPT, get the chip off your shoulder and realize that no group of people are without sin. The native americans took slave after conquering other Indian tribes, also whom did they kill off to take the land from? From the pic we do not know if the soldier is RA or AD. Yes he is not within regulations but we cannot fix it now. Those cadets in the picture were in my estimate violating several regs and should have been disciplined same as the soldier with beads. We all know that you should apply the rules equally. If either the SGT with beads or the ladies from WP want to celebrate or protest do it within the regulations. By the way not every thing in life is based on ones rave or sex. You keep on the sunny side now ya hear!
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nope. Just a group of 20 something college students acting like knuckleheads. Showed improper judgement and gave the wrong impression. Punishment: 100 walking tours then they can belong to the "infamous Century Club"
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2LT (Join to see)
Walk? We can't have all the athletes (I know many of them) doing that. All club and corps squad get study halls for their punishments. We wouldn't want to tire them out for all the Army wins we have been seeing lately....
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My first impression is I do not like the photo. We are all green does not come across with the fight the power/Black Panther symbol of fist up. Perhaps, a 20 mile force march with pack while holding their arm and fists in the air will cure this type of photo in the future.
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Cpl Mark A. Morris
CPT (Anonymous) - This looks like New Orleans the day before lent. I'm not sure where the celebration of whiteness come into play in this photo. It's been my experience a young hard charger is looking to trade the beads for a quick view of a Goddess with no shirt. Therefore, I recommend he be taken to the obstacle course to be PT'ed until I get tired. No more beads while wearing the uniform.
Now, the girls with the fight the power symbol is way out of bounds. But, I'm confident someone looking for promotion will defend it.
Now, the girls with the fight the power symbol is way out of bounds. But, I'm confident someone looking for promotion will defend it.
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I don't know about violating the UCMJ but I do know if the cadets had been white it would have been looked at differently as a hate issue probably. The KKK uses this type of symbol. White or black it's not proper in any fashion while in uniform and of very bad taste even out of uniform. It just offends to many people. When I was in the Army we just looked at everyone as being green, not white, black, brown or any other color. I do believe the picture was of bad taste. As a former Equal Opportunity Representative in my last unit in the Army I would just say it should not have been posted in social media and there should be some kind of consequence. Maybe some additional EO training, not dismissal. I have to remember this is a new time and we now have a very different Army.
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1SG Dennis Hicks
Again attempting to defend bad behvior with other bad behavior is still wrong. So what I said stands.
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