Is it acceptable to condone stealing with the excuse that it wasn't locked up?

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 20:16:45 -0400

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2017 8:20 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 20:20:30 -0400

Not around me.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2017 8:20 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 20:20:55 -0400

Absolutely not!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2017 8:23 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 20:23:24 -0400

You know the answer to this.

Everyone knows the answer to this.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2017 8:24 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 20:24:47 -0400

A little background on the question...We had our dress whites inspection today and someone took another Sailor's neckerchief. I spoke up during the inspection and said that whoever took it was in the wrong and basically, shame on you. We all know that no one is going to confess and fix themselves, I just wanted to state that it was noticed and almost caused the Sailor they took it from to be out of regs for inspection. One or our First Classes responded "Maybe they should lock their stuff up then." I got very annoyed by this for a couple reasons...1. We just did Command Ethics training the day prior and it was geared towards E4-E6 standing up and showing the junior Sailors to do the right thing, and 2. This had happened to me as well so I knew the frustration the E2 was feeling, having been prepared for this inspection and then right before go time, finding out she wasn't. I responded with "how about Honor, Courage and Commitment, and if it doesn't belong to you, don't touch it?" The response to this comment was "Oh shut up with that crap." From our 1st Class....!! Shut up with our core values!? Am I wrong in this??

Response by SFC George Smith made Mar 30 at 2017 8:56 PM

SFC George Smith — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 20:56:44 -0400

If you did not pay for it ... It ain't Yours...
That means you Pull the money out of your Pocket ... not Just because You pay Taxes...
This is Part of the Problem with the Congress Critters...

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Mar 30 at 2017 9:14 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 21:14:33 -0400

No. If you don't own it, don't take it. Period.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Mar 30 at 2017 9:47 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 21:47:56 -0400

No; theft is theft. A lock is only there to keep people honest... and make a lazy thief walk on by

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2017 12:47 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 00:47:50 -0400

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member never.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Mar 31 at 2017 7:52 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 07:52:05 -0400

Sort of a funny question in a forum where members have a history and tradition of scrounging. On my first B-52 crew we had a SMSGT Gunner who was renowned for being able to get whatever the Aircraft Commander mentioned that the crew needed. No one ever asked how he got things and I'm sure that in some cases things were "stolen" from whatever source. I agree that the example of the neckerchief is a pretty clear example of something being stolen and wouldn't condone that activity, but don't think that means everything must be locked up.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Mar 31 at 2017 8:20 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 08:20:44 -0400

No. Despite the saying Gear Adrift is a Gift. That doesn't make it right. You are supposed to do the right thing even when no one is looking. If you're walking the barracks and you see someone's room open and a PS4 just sitting there on the tv stand, that doesn't give you the right to take it.

If you have stolen something or know someone who has stolen something, you need to make it right.

Response by MSgt George Cater made Mar 31 at 2017 8:39 AM

MSgt George Cater — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 08:39:32 -0400

Well, if incredibly this is a serious question by someone older than three, a eternal safe response is to abide by the above meme.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Mar 31 at 2017 9:09 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 09:09:02 -0400

Seriously?!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2017 9:51 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 09:51:22 -0400

Since the question involves the word "stealing," then my answer is NO. Stealing is stealing. Just because it wasn't secured, doesn't mean it's free grabs. Yes, we all know the statement of "lock it or lose it," which does hold true since there are so many damn sticky fingers in the military. If the equipment/gear isn't yours.......then keep your dirty fingers off my sh*t. Have the integrity and intestinal fortitude to NOT be that POS that is always stealing sh*t.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Mar 31 at 2017 10:43 AM

1LT William Clardy — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 10:43:23 -0400

For which values of "locked up"?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2017 12:29 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 12:29:24 -0400

There's a saying in the Army... "There's only one thief, everyone else is just trying to get their s*it back." When I was in the Cav they liked to use the term "tactical acquisition".

In the end it comes down to integrity. Condoning theft is not a show of integrity.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Apr 2 at 2017 5:37 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 17:37:01 -0400

My experience was that if you need a part or what ever (I am talking about Army overseas) it was almost expected that if you could find it then you must need more than the other guy. I always thought it was harmless and actually part of military life. Maybe I was a little naive at the time. However, generally if something is not locked away does not imply permission for that items removal by another. It is theft - no way around it.