Posted on Aug 22, 2014
Feelings on displaying the Confederate flag on your POV or person while on a military installation?
362K
2.13K
959
111
111
0
Recently, I had a long and heated discussion with a fellow veteran about this issue. I don't know for sure whether a branch-specific reg or a DoD-wide reg exists that prohibits/allows personnel on a military installation to display the Confederate flag on their personal vehicle or on their person (e.g. a belt buckle). Maybe this is a base-specific policy and left to the judgment of the installation commander. Display of the Confederate flag is a divisive issue and people often feel really strongly one way or the other. But today, it is still a relevant topic and touches on other military leadership/discipline areas, including the actions of one member deeply offending another member -- regardless of whether said action is legal/authorized. That can create huge problems in a military unit, and this happened in a unit I personally served in. So, below are my questions for the RallyPoint community about this issue.
Please try to keep comments professional (don't attack one another) and explain your thoughts as best you can.
Questions:
(1) How do you feel about the Confederate flag being displayed on the vehicle/person of a service member if he/she is ON post? How does your opinion change if the member is OFF post?
(2) What does the Confederate flag symbolize to you personally? What do you think it can symbolize to other people around you who may perceive it differently?
(3) If you have personally experienced a military-related situation where a symbol/flag caused someone to be offended, what happened and what did you/would you have done as the leader?
I look fwd to everyone's thoughts on this. Personally, I have some strong feelings about this issue, though I don't want to bias people's answers upfront. Please be as honest as possible.
Tag: SSG Emily Williams Col (Join to see) 1SG Steven Stankovich SSG Scott Williams 1LT Sandy Annala CPT (Join to see) SSG V. Michelle Woods MSG Carl Cunningham
Please try to keep comments professional (don't attack one another) and explain your thoughts as best you can.
Questions:
(1) How do you feel about the Confederate flag being displayed on the vehicle/person of a service member if he/she is ON post? How does your opinion change if the member is OFF post?
(2) What does the Confederate flag symbolize to you personally? What do you think it can symbolize to other people around you who may perceive it differently?
(3) If you have personally experienced a military-related situation where a symbol/flag caused someone to be offended, what happened and what did you/would you have done as the leader?
I look fwd to everyone's thoughts on this. Personally, I have some strong feelings about this issue, though I don't want to bias people's answers upfront. Please be as honest as possible.
Tag: SSG Emily Williams Col (Join to see) 1SG Steven Stankovich SSG Scott Williams 1LT Sandy Annala CPT (Join to see) SSG V. Michelle Woods MSG Carl Cunningham
Regulation
Policy
Respect
Confederate Flag
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 326
0
0
0
I’m not a fan of flags on trucks at all, I’ve never done but. I feel it would be a safety or a distraction, like I said I’ve never done it.
I like looking at flags, especially civil war flags. I really wish states would not change the state flags, such as Georgia, that state has had way to many flags. Luckily Florida still holds its confederate history in the flag.
As for the flag in the picture that’s not even a real flag.
As far as flying the battle flag of Virginia (what everyone knows as the confederate flag) it’s hard to say I feel it should be ok. However most people don’t know the history and say it’s the confederate flag. Which leads me into saying that no one should be flying the stars and bars or any Confederate National flag (there is 8 in total). I could also no flag from the confederacy to include the Battle flag of Virginia. I say this only because that flag was a square. The flag most of America knows as “the Confederate Flag” is actually The Second Confederate Navy Jack and should be seen nowadays as someone saying I’m from the South, not necessarily the Confederacy.
This is where leaders need to pay attention to see if other signs are shown towards a negative value, then revoke that person’s ability to fly it and remove them from the Army.
I like looking at flags, especially civil war flags. I really wish states would not change the state flags, such as Georgia, that state has had way to many flags. Luckily Florida still holds its confederate history in the flag.
As for the flag in the picture that’s not even a real flag.
As far as flying the battle flag of Virginia (what everyone knows as the confederate flag) it’s hard to say I feel it should be ok. However most people don’t know the history and say it’s the confederate flag. Which leads me into saying that no one should be flying the stars and bars or any Confederate National flag (there is 8 in total). I could also no flag from the confederacy to include the Battle flag of Virginia. I say this only because that flag was a square. The flag most of America knows as “the Confederate Flag” is actually The Second Confederate Navy Jack and should be seen nowadays as someone saying I’m from the South, not necessarily the Confederacy.
This is where leaders need to pay attention to see if other signs are shown towards a negative value, then revoke that person’s ability to fly it and remove them from the Army.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
You can not display the Stars and Bars, except for certain occasions by federal law.
Everyone displays the Southern Cross (Dixie), GEN Robert E. Lee's personal battle flag for the Army of Virginia.
He did not formally own slaves, he was against them. The only reason he fought for the South was Virginia seceded, read history.
(There is a belief that he gave up his final battle plans to save the Republic?)
Everyone displays the Southern Cross (Dixie), GEN Robert E. Lee's personal battle flag for the Army of Virginia.
He did not formally own slaves, he was against them. The only reason he fought for the South was Virginia seceded, read history.
(There is a belief that he gave up his final battle plans to save the Republic?)
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
The Confederate Battle Flag (aka the Southern Cross) is and has always been a symbol of armed rebellion against the established order and should be TOTALLY banned except in specific historical contexts. And as much as possible, in such contexts one of the actual National Flags of the Confederacy (there were three) should be used instead of the Battle Flag.
(One such context is in the Confederate section of the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA, where they fly the Third National.)
(One such context is in the Confederate section of the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA, where they fly the Third National.)
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I think, as long as you're in the military, whether Active, Reserves, or the National Guard of any branch of service, you're subject to UCMJ and should follow suit. If Veterans are back home and don't involve themselves in criminal mischief, it's a freedom of expression and have the right to do so, as long as it doesn't step on other people's toes, e.g. Nationalist of any race intentionally going to cities and causing trouble.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
The Confederate Flag is the symbol of those who chose to secede from the United States in order to prevent the loss of their slave labor.
In other words DEMOCRATS.
Personally I wouldn’t cross the street and would step over rather than piss on a democrat politician to put them out of on fire.
Democrat voters are those who have never bothered to pull the wool (or perhaps I should say cotton) off their eyes or out of their ears while listening to the constant drone of the democrat mosquito which carries in it the poison of racial division and identity politics.
So no. Fuck the confederate flag.
Too many men died defending for and against slavery to maintain that symbol.
I think that if I started printing toilet paper with the confederate flag embossed or emblazoned on it then I should make my fortune.
That piece of asswipe belongs in a museum focusing on the evils of war and slavery rather than in public.
I forgive those ignorant of its history and understand the why of its appeal to even non racists.
Amen to that.
In other words DEMOCRATS.
Personally I wouldn’t cross the street and would step over rather than piss on a democrat politician to put them out of on fire.
Democrat voters are those who have never bothered to pull the wool (or perhaps I should say cotton) off their eyes or out of their ears while listening to the constant drone of the democrat mosquito which carries in it the poison of racial division and identity politics.
So no. Fuck the confederate flag.
Too many men died defending for and against slavery to maintain that symbol.
I think that if I started printing toilet paper with the confederate flag embossed or emblazoned on it then I should make my fortune.
That piece of asswipe belongs in a museum focusing on the evils of war and slavery rather than in public.
I forgive those ignorant of its history and understand the why of its appeal to even non racists.
Amen to that.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
The US flag flew far longer over states that had slaves than the Confederate flag did. It was the northerners of New England who were some of the biggest slavers long before the Civil War under the the US flag when slavery was legal throughout the states.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
CPT,
The Confederate flag is a symbol if rebellion against these United States. It is not a symbol of American culture.
American culture is small government and Independence from same. Freedom has it's limits, or you have Anarchy.
I realize, the Confederate flag started over States rights. Again, Freedom has limits.
A lot of people see it has a symbol of oppression. It is, in a way a symbol of oppression. Therefore, it should be placed into history where it belongs. We don't have to destroy everything to change history. For example, we don't destroy Italy because it enslaved the world.
In America's military, now, we judge by action. Not color. This is what JFK, MLF and RFK stood for. Let us set the example for our fellow citizens and the world.
Have good evening CPT.
The Confederate flag is a symbol if rebellion against these United States. It is not a symbol of American culture.
American culture is small government and Independence from same. Freedom has it's limits, or you have Anarchy.
I realize, the Confederate flag started over States rights. Again, Freedom has limits.
A lot of people see it has a symbol of oppression. It is, in a way a symbol of oppression. Therefore, it should be placed into history where it belongs. We don't have to destroy everything to change history. For example, we don't destroy Italy because it enslaved the world.
In America's military, now, we judge by action. Not color. This is what JFK, MLF and RFK stood for. Let us set the example for our fellow citizens and the world.
Have good evening CPT.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
First understand, this is a Naval Jack. I have no requirement to accept how activist have tried to redefine historic artifacts. Two, if you allow your emotions to be controlled by this symbol, then you are no longer in control of your emotions. The equals a really bad plan.
Remember not to allow your self to be provoked. The moments after you respond to being provoked, you will often find there was a camera recording you . Often a really less than positive outcome.
DO NOT play the game, there is no way to win.
Remember not to allow your self to be provoked. The moments after you respond to being provoked, you will often find there was a camera recording you . Often a really less than positive outcome.
DO NOT play the game, there is no way to win.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I agree 100%! The confederate flag is a symbolism of the south, it does not represent hate. Even though those spreading hate use it, that is not what it represents. I blame social media and dumbasses. Who by the way wanted all the confiderate general statues taken down. They want history to be erased. Some people are very proud of their state flag, and where they are from. As far as base goes, I wish I had an answer for you. Every base regardless of orginazation is a melting pot of personalities, races and cultures. If your not flying anything Derogatory or vulgar, you should be allowed to display it. But, that is the base commanders desicion.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
First off, good Q/A.
Personally, I don't get offended too easily. When it comes to this flag, it can be offensive to some, especially if there are certain actions that accompany it. To me, it symbolizes racism and hurt that was caused to some of my family members.
It wouldn't matter if a SM was on or off post.
From a leader's point of view, if ANYTHING was displayed that others found offensive, then there is cause to have said item removed as to not disrupt good order and discipline. If any such display distracts from mission accomplishment and lowered moral, then it has no business in the AO.
To ask someone to remove something deemed offensive to others would be the right thing to do. It doesn't mean that someone is being judged or treated differently because of their beliefs. It would mean that someone is now having to work in a hostile environment, making it harder for the organization to be fully mission capable and to complete the mission. We have to learn to be cognizant of our surroundings and understand that there are differences amongst all of us. It's about being a part of a team and doing what's best for all, and not just one.
Personally, I don't get offended too easily. When it comes to this flag, it can be offensive to some, especially if there are certain actions that accompany it. To me, it symbolizes racism and hurt that was caused to some of my family members.
It wouldn't matter if a SM was on or off post.
From a leader's point of view, if ANYTHING was displayed that others found offensive, then there is cause to have said item removed as to not disrupt good order and discipline. If any such display distracts from mission accomplishment and lowered moral, then it has no business in the AO.
To ask someone to remove something deemed offensive to others would be the right thing to do. It doesn't mean that someone is being judged or treated differently because of their beliefs. It would mean that someone is now having to work in a hostile environment, making it harder for the organization to be fully mission capable and to complete the mission. We have to learn to be cognizant of our surroundings and understand that there are differences amongst all of us. It's about being a part of a team and doing what's best for all, and not just one.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google