If you were in the PX/BX and you saw high ranking NCO/Officer in uniform put an unpaid item in their pocket, would you say anything?

2015-01-03T21:29:34-05:00

I'm an MP so I am no stranger to shop lifting in the PX/BX in reference to processing shop lifters from teens, spouses, to even NCOs and officers. My question to you, if you were in the PX/BX and you saw a service member in a military uniform who was of a high pay grade (E7/O5 and higher) and you were 100% sure and witnessed said individual put an unpaid item into their pocket, would you say anything and what would you say? Would you be in so much disbelief due to their rank they would be risking it all over shoplifting that you would ignore it and move on? Without breaking OPSEC, I will say the crime prevention department watches people like hawks from their office so if someone is doing this, they are probably already watching. What would I say? I will make it simple, "You should put that back" and then walk away. I would also do this for anyone whether or not they were wearing a military uniform.

Response by SPC John Cummings made Jan 3 at 2015 9:38 PM

2015-01-03T21:38:20-05:00

I was a stereo typical a-hole MP in garrison. Straight up put the eye on them and call them out with a capital SIR etc Looking back at what was my ignorance

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Jan 3 at 2015 9:41 PM

2015-01-03T21:41:42-05:00

YES, I have done it to look as something else, I wanted the item I put in my pocket. I then took the item out and paid for it. I would ask them if they needed a hand with the item they put in there pocket. If they said no then I guess I would detain them being an MP. They make more than enough to pay for any item

Response by MSG Sommer Brown made Jan 3 at 2015 9:46 PM

2015-01-03T21:46:41-05:00

Of course you say something. Where are the Army values. You are just as guilty if you don't.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jan 3 at 2015 10:09 PM

2015-01-03T22:09:04-05:00

I would pull them to the side and make sure they know I saw what they did and give them an opportunity to fix themselves.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jan 3 at 2015 10:05 PM

2015-01-03T22:05:50-05:00

I know first hand, AAFES will prosecute anyone. The restitution fee is around $250 plus the price of the item. I known of service members opening a bag of candy, eating two pieces of candy and then walking out without paying. Those SMs were processed through the provost marshal office for a matter over pennies. Most the time units will handle these situations by means of UCMJ for SMs. Civilians can face court in a federal court. Believe or not CSMs an other high ranking officers are caught shoplifting. Its a shame what these SMs do to get to their position through out the years and they can ruin it over one action and sometimes over an item under $5.00.

Response by MSgt Bj Jones made Jan 3 at 2015 10:14 PM

2015-01-03T22:14:58-05:00

I would tell them to not forget the items in their pockets when they go to checkout as well as advise them that putting those items in their pockets is a bad idea as cameras are all around. That way, I'm not accusing them of shoplifting and giving them the chance to redeem themselves.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2015 10:41 PM

2015-01-03T22:41:01-05:00

That's a tough (and very good) question, SSG (ret) William Martin. And it's not so hypothetical. Remember the Secretary of the Army who was caught shoplifting from the PX? (Acting SecArmy, it turns out: http://articles.latimes.com/1993-09-22/news/mn-37904_1_shoplifting-prevention).

I think if I saw something like that, I would inform the manager. I would not confront a senior person about it.

Former Army Official Admits Shoplifting Women's Clothes

Former Acting Army Secretary John W. Shannon admitted shoplifting women's clothing from a post exchange near the Pentagon and has been admitted into a pretrial diversion program, the U.S. attorney...

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Jan 3 at 2015 11:41 PM

2015-01-03T23:41:16-05:00

Of course...I don't care who it was. I see this in the Commissary as well. You would be surprised how many folks steal from them.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 2:26 AM

2015-01-04T02:26:24-05:00

Tell me if I'm wrong? I've told my kids do not steal anything unless it is $10, 000,000 dollars, because anything less isn't worth going to jail. I say it like this because I know all kids steal at some time, but I reiterate, that a crime is a crime if it's $1, $10, $100, $1000 and that any one of them could get you thrown in jail and make you lose your job, or even lose custody of your children.