Feelings on displaying the Confederate flag on your POV or person while on a military installation?

Off base, do what you want, but be ready to answer for it...on base...remember you're on a military installation and the Post Commander dictates what can and can not be done on HIS installation.

I would say that as a member of the military we take on a neutral responsibility and understanding that we represent the U.S armed forces and should refrain from individual displays of the sort. If you are off post and not in uniform, I wouldn’t see an issue with expressing your freedom how you see fit. On post in view of subordinates, peers, and leaders would most likely not represent the spirit of our volunteered profession.

I personally don’t see any issue with it. The Confederacy was one half of our beloved nation that, just like the North, fought for what they believed was right. This war cost more American lives than any other conflict. To ban or restrict this piece of history is just as disrespectful in my opinion as kneeling for the National Anthem or burning the National Colors.

To me it represents Heritage, nothing more and nothing less. Also, this isn't the Confederate flag, but the Battle Flag of Northern Virginia. Now regarding displaying on base, I think that should be up to base policy if there's not a double-standard in place.

To me it represents heritage. Also, that isn't the Confederate flag but the battle flag of Virginia.

To answer your 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? Private vehile is just like a home...private. They have freedom of speech and should be able to display whenever or wherever it is personally owned.
How does your opinion change if the member is OFF post? None
(2) What does the Confederate flag symbolize to you personally? The flag to me is irrelevant. I am from MS and could care less. The flag is not my flag nor have I ever served under it. It is part of our state flag so I guess it is ok to have it on there as it shows part of our states history.
What do you think it can symbolize to other people around you who may perceive it differently? I think it can be interpreted as Historical and represent heritage...I think to some it can represent hate since it was and is used by hate groups around the nation.
(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? Never experienced it and never had to deal with it.

My editorial-If you play stupid games you win stupid prizes. What I mean is that with actions come consequences. If I chose to eat my French Onion soup with the cheese bubbling from the heat on the top as soon as it arrives, I am going to burn my mouth. Same principle applies to displaying the flag...if you are going to display it then man up and be ready to accept the consequences good or bad. I do believe it is their right to display on private homes, vehicles, motorcycles, RV's etc...I do not think it is acceptable to display it at work, government facilities (Dorms) because then it becomes the voice of the government and we don't serve under that flag. Just my two cents and now I am broke again.

To me the flag is a symbol of southern heritage and is not representative of race suppression. I believe all considerations of symbols and actions must be taken in the context of the times. Changing that context to accommodate more current views distorts the history. We know or have read about POWs who have returned to Vietnam to shake the hands of their captors. Once they were enemies and now friends, these things change but that does not erase the lessons of history. Because that NVA soldier is a friend today does not change the heroism of the American Marine that earned a MOH trying to kill him to save a teammate 50 yrs ago. This is essentially the argument placed in a different context. Less germain but worth mentioning, I also believe that a people who suppresses, misrepresents or erases history is destined to repeat that history.

Just like every other war - the average soldier serving in the Confederate military had no political agenda. He probably had a view on slavery or states rights but it did not impact his service and he certainly had no policy influence on the wars course. He was called upon to serve his state and the evaluation of the character of his service should not change with the views of the politics of the times. The heritage of the civil war soldier on either side is simply a part of history and we should embrace the lessons learned from that history.

With all of that said let me also say, I would never post, wear or display a confederate flag where it offends those with whom I served. Not because of a regulation or a rule or a political agenda. It is simply respect. These are the people you serve with, sweat with and may be called upon to bleed with. I will do everything in my power to have your back and I have to trust that you willl have mine if I serve with you. So shouldn’t we be respectful enough to avoid something so offensive to some of those same teammates especially when it is so easy to avoid? How is this different from pornographic posters where female soldiers serve or symbols condemning a religion. I would also argue that If you need a regulation to force that basic consideration - a little self assessment may be in order.

By congressional act and signed into law by the president at the time, all confederate veterans are to be treated as any other US veteran. I see no reason for this to be an issue.

Me personally, it’s part of American history. Let us not forget.

Let me tell you a story about a friend of mine. Way back in 1978 a Buddy of mine, Joe, whom is from NY and black, did not have a drivers license due to the cost to get one in NY and the drivers training classes one had to attend. We were stationed in Ft. Polk La. We got him a book and took him out to drive and he got it all down. I had a 1977 TA Bright Red he was using for the driving part. Well off he and I go to the local License testing branch. He took the written test and passed and so was told the Trooper would meet him out by his car for the driving test. He comes out and says he is about to take the driving test I tossed him the keys. an old(looked like a tree old kinda guy) 6'4" Louisiana Trooper not 10 feet behind him. There were 2 cars in the lot, real busy place back then. One was the old big black titanic Cadillac and my bright red Trans-Am, adorned with the Stars and Bars front plate, inside it had a Stars and Bars flag headliner. So the trooper looks around, heads towards the Caddy, Joe starts towards the T/A. The trooper was half way to the caddy when he noticed Joe not with him. He looked around and saw him headed towards the T/A and quickly headed that way. Once he got there the 1st thing he did was look at the front Stars and Bars plate and kinda looked at Joe. Then he got in immediately looking up up at the Stars and Bars Headliner and back at Joe, again with a puzzled look on his face. He pointed and off they went. Well I watched that trooper keep reflecting up and at Joe as they drove away. I watched the car go out of the lot, down to the 1st road turn around point and right back to the lot to park. The trooper got out and went inside, I asked Joe "WTF over?" He said "all he had me do was turn around after we got got on the road." I asked him if he passed he said "I don't know all he said was turn around and go back, when we got back he simply got out and walked away". I told him to go inside and see. So he did and about 10 -15 minutes later he walks out with his Drivers License in hand. Again I asked him about the driving test and what the trooper said, his reply made us both laugh "the trooper told me if I had balls big enough to drive around in a Bright Red sports car with the Stars and Bars all over it, you deserve to pass". Never judge the books, read the pages in between. Life's good

1. No problem. I’m not inclined to fits of righteous indignation on behalf of unknown third parties who I merely assume would be offended. Also, there is no right not to be offended.

2. Losers who can’t let go. Also, laughable historical revisionism. “States’ rights” to do what exactly? Their ‘right’ to force other states to hunt down and forcibly return escaped slaves.

3. No.