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?
88.8K
1.68K
860
43
43
0
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
1
1
0
I don't understand the concern over this. After DADT was repealed military personnel marched in Gay Pride parades in uniform and nothing was said about it. If anything is political it is a Gay Pride parade.
(1)
(0)
PO2 Robert Cuminale
The only relation is the rule that the uniform is not to be worn while engaged in a political display.
The marchers and the people in this photo are both engaged in a political statement. The cause is irrelevant.
The marchers and the people in this photo are both engaged in a political statement. The cause is irrelevant.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
It would appear that they are. It will be interesting to see how the investigation turns out. If they are, then they should be flunked out before we invest any more money in them. If they want to pull stuff like this perhaps they should do it at private university while they foot the bill.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
I see Rascism in Canada against my Native/Aboriginal Wife by white trash Canadians who forget who came here 10,000 years before Leif Erikson and Christopher Columbus. I just think it is risky to do this. This is not 1968. Yes, I have seen the officer- involved shootings done in cold blood against blacks. I empathize. I just think this is not the West Point of the Jim Crow days. Look at others who did the fist and do you want to be associated with Black Pathers or Communists? See Jane Fonda below/above...
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Let's talk about the sexual assaults at these academies that are swept under the rug. Hmmmmm......
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Ok. They are not on Active Duty. Comparing them to their white counterparts is apples to oranges. This is a great accomplishment. At least they aren't twerking like America expects them too. Get over it.
(1)
(0)
Maj Rob Drury
Uh, yeah; they are active duty. They are also about to be given superhuman levels of responsibility. This isn't about punishment; it's about a decision of whether to hand over responsibility for countless lives to a bunch of selfish, racist morons. If they can't make this judgement call right, how are they supposed to carry the burdens of officership?
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
I find it ridiculous that anyone raising a "power" fist is suddenly a supporter of any movement. I don't have the context in which their photo is framed. If they're making a political statement, then they need to be dealt with in accordance with military rules and regulations. If it's misguided solidarity then address it. This symbol has been used by many factions and to jump the shark by assigning them to a particular group is nonsense. If there is some subversive conspiracy that allowed 16 black women to enter the USMA in order to disrupt something, quash it. Has West Point identified any disruptive behavior caused by them or is this simply a bunch of ladies who are proud of their accomplishments. I hope people think of this when they fist-bump. What you're doing is the same thing, a sign of togetherness, be it brotherhood or sisterhood.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
This women fisting has got to stop before someone gets hurt! But close analysis shows her knuckles are facing towards her head rather than out, so this may be the Knucklehead Salute rather than any other one.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
What is the definition of a partisan or non-partisan political club? Is support for Black Lives Matter any different from those in uniform who openly supported LGBT rights? Would people on here be as upset if they had done something to show support for "Blue Lives Matter"? I think we need to look our own prejudices and see if those are getting in the way of how we view this. I see a lot of people making judgements on a group of cadets they do not even know. I suggest that we let them get to their units and let their Soldiers judge them based solely on the leadership they provide to those Soldiers.
(1)
(0)
SPC Jeffrey Reese
That is the Point Col as an enlisted man I wouldn't trust them to have my back because they have already exhibited bias. If you don't think that them doing that is an example of racism in uniform you are mistaken. Every enlisted person that ever serves under one of these officers will know their view on race relations and will have in mind that they will not be taken care of. If they would have come out as all lives matter and done things to heal the divide that the Black live matter has caused, it would be different. In uniform they shouldn't be seeing race they should be seeing Soldiers or Americans but Both should be defended with their lives because that is what they signed up to do. In the military I came into we weren't allowed a political view because we followed who ever was in office. As far as these young women they stepped way over the line and has put them selves in line for corrective action under UCMJ and in my Opinion should Never be in a leadership position due to their Toxic example they have already set. While I was in I had good leaders and bad but I followed orders and did my job did I see allot of racism yes in both directions. But for the most part we worked together to get things done and tried to keep the BS to a minimum. But if you have some one like this come in it can kill a platoon morale because they will come in and automatically divide it with out thought.
(0)
(0)
Suspended Profile
Yes, they probably are. I don't think these young ladies should face a career ender for this but they need to learn an enduring lesson about this type of stuff so that they remember it when dealing across ethnic lines as commanders. Every time something like this raised its head when I was AD, "perception" was important, they need to understand that. It is not what you mean, it is how it is perceived. These young ladies will lead Soldiers from all over the US and from different backgrounds, this type of photo can send the wrong message about judgement. One of the articles in defense of this spoke of the history of raising the fist and justification and pride in black history, now I'm not a Southerner but the Stars and Bars are historical and people attack their display constantly. People can't have it both ways, either something is or it isn't, there is no yeah, but; a standard is a standard.
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google