How is the issue of racism these days in the Army, specifically at Ft. Knox and towards Jews?

CPT Kirill *Russian* Varshavskiy — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 20:44:05 -0400

In my time (2004-2005) there was a lot of racism towards Jews in Ft. Knox, KY (not surprising, since there were only 4 of us on the whole base.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2018 8:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 20:47:28 -0400

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 21 at 2018 8:55 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 20:55:34 -0400

CPT Kirill *Russian* Varshavskiy Now that is a Minority, I'm sure that You heard plenty of Opinions on Your Heritage from those that didn't have a Clue that You were Jewish. Shalom.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 21 at 2018 8:55 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 20:55:57 -0400

Can't speak about Ft. Knox specifically. In general, always has been, always will be. But, always remember, it's not so much a cultural attitude anymore. In fact, when I was in Vietnam, the 1967 war in Israel was ramping up and almost everyone I spoke to was ready to ship out and go fight for Israel. They were tired of fighting for people who wouldn't fight for themselves (not necessarily a truth but it's how many felt) They saw the Israelis as underdogs. Still, there were and are individuals with prejudicial attitudes towards Jews (and other groups). It's just something you learn to deal with. Just don't let the bastards get you down. They're not worth it...

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jun 21 at 2018 9:42 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 21:42:54 -0400

Never ran into it in my period of service and I worked at Ft. Knox in the mid-1990's and I never picked up on it as an issue then either. Are you sure your reading this right?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2018 10:09 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 22:09:16 -0400

CPT Kirill *Russian* Varshavskiy - Judaism is a religion, not a race or ethnicity.
The terms ‘racism’ and ‘racist’ are often often used, and often used incorrectly.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jun 21 at 2018 11:30 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 23:30:40 -0400

Uh....I mean, you'll have idiots everywhere, but I've never specifically heard of Knox being Auschwitz or anything like that. Strange...

Response by SSG(P) Dan Keene made Jun 22 at 2018 12:42 AM

SSG(P) Dan Keene — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:42:52 -0400

I think you have confused racism with religious persecution.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jun 22 at 2018 6:12 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 06:12:48 -0400

Had two members of the Jewish faith that I served with, never had an issue with them, really great guys.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2018 8:38 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 08:38:25 -0400

Worked at Ftl Knox up to 2009, have been put on orders and sent up there many times, never really encountered anything type of racism or religious bias by anyone in general. Seems to be a fairly laid back post these days since BCT was moved.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2018 10:15 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 10:15:48 -0400

If racism anywhere in the Army were to such a degree that people on Rally Point would have common knowledge of it, it would be all over the news and high ranking officers would be dropping like flies. Discrimination exists everywhere but as I'm sure you know, it isn't condoned by the Army.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jun 22 at 2018 2:23 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 14:23:39 -0400

Never been there, but I would challenge some of the racists bigots to tell give some of their impressions to some of the Israelis Officers and NCO's who come over for training their insight. Some one post the You Tube video when they get through with them. I am betting they won't say much after they get their jaw back in place.

Response by LTC Robin Gronovius made Jun 24 at 2018 1:49 PM

LTC Robin Gronovius — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 13:49:11 -0400

The hospital commander was Jewish. I worked for DPTMS (formerly G3) at the time. The Christmas tree ceremony at post HQ was renamed the holiday tree lighting ceremony. I was there from 2005-2011. My daughter was in HS with his daughter. They spent a lot of time with each other, along with the post commander's son.
I'm not a very religious person, although my wife is Catholic, non-practicing as are our children. I never noticed any discrimination towards other religions, but I'm not one to look.

Response by SFC Don Ward made Jun 26 at 2018 10:19 PM

SFC Don Ward — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 22:19:48 -0400

There used to be a town north of knox, on the way to the old PLDC bivouac site, that had a sign boasting that the Grand Dragon of the KKK lived there. I'm not sure what the town was, might have been Shepherdsville. This was in the mid 1980's. PLDC SGL's would send support truck drivers there to pick up pogey bait while they were in the field.

Response by COL Brad Welch made Jul 4 at 2018 1:07 PM

COL Brad Welch — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 13:07:30 -0400

Lived there from 2013-15. E-town and Radcliff are pretty white-oriented. Seen a pickup truck or two with a big rebel flag flying from its bed.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2018 7:14 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Jul 2018 07:14:48 -0400

I was for basic,then station there from 89/90 I too am a jew ,I had no problem but it was a different time,not like it is today with what is going on here the states and over sea,didnt really have a numb but in office that turn against his own country by kiss asking the russian,we trained too kill the sob's,but we did have visitors from Russia one time while I was in basic and they put on a live fire exercise, I really didnt understand because we were training to kill them,so now we have man in office willing to give them the key too the country,also it seems that if your a jew everyone thinks since it's a country in middle east, your part of the problem over there. now a days the millennials dont realize Israel is strong allie of the u.s and always has been, hell alot of people still think the holocaust never happened there is racism. Against the Jews, because they think Israel is just out to start a war in the middle east. Israel is just defending it self and always will,I stand for Israel and the rest of the Jews in the u.s, if we dont stand against racism now the samething could happen here,first the mexicans, then who the African americans,then who else the Catholics, and anyone else who opposes the people in office,he turning us against each other now, what's next MARSHAL law to keep us down, we are on a bad road now, and with no over watch looking out for our asses, were screwed in many ways. so yes there is alot of racism in the military,and the rest of u.s,so all I can say dont put up with it and put a foot in the asses of the ones that are racist.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jan 13 at 2020 12:03 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 12:03:28 -0500

not an issue. If any issue pop up, commanders will squash the responsible parties like a bug. No commander wants instances of racism that weren't addressed to appear on their OER.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Aug 19 at 2021 2:45 PM

MSG Thomas Currie — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 14:45:53 -0400

"only 4 of us on the whole base" -- is not just statistically unlikely, it is blatant nonsense.