Is there an outcry about the 1 day Stand Down to identify "Extremism in the Ranks"?

MSgt Harry Coleman — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 16:49:46 -0500

Just the thought that anyone should be removed from the ranks because of their political point of view makes my blood boil. I remember many events during the rein of Bill Clinton that there were toasts to the Office of the President, yet a witch hunt for anyone who voted for Bush or Dole would not have been tolerated by anyone in the pentagon.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2021 7:44 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 19:44:30 -0500

This is being taken out of context. I had a family member post something about this. I just explained to them that it is not like we actually stop and vet everyone in the military. I honestly don't have a problem with this. We have a bad habit of assuming that our service members are all outstanding citizens. That is not the case. We need to seek out those in our ranks that are predators. It can be someone who is a sexual predator or an extremist. Some people may hold views that are dangerous and not even realize it. Just like that picture of the C4 in a shape of a swastika. I don't even understand how anyone would think that is acceptable. That service member should have set off some alarms. Then no one in his unit stopped it. That is what we are looking for.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2021 8:45 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 08:45:27 -0500

When they announced the stand down it was not rolled out as a search for extremists, so where does this come from? A thorough screening at induction is due diligence. If DIS wants to look at those serving, it is likely warranted as well. Anyone with split loyalty does not belong in the military. We should be training those that respect their Oath as written, not as some misinformed group tells them it should be. In basic terms you can't both oppose and support/defend the Constitution at the same time.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 9 at 2021 10:08 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 10:08:32 -0500

The stand down is to discuss the issues with extremism in the ranks. The fact that you mentally associate extremism with Trump supporters is definitely interesting though.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/02/09/secdef-stand-down-on-extremism-not-meant-to-be-panacea-says-pentagon-spokesman/?fbclid=IwAR37LKcLN1axMYNvddjn2O4pJseAq4BbHgxxtqQZUxExKaEFgtjqdS_k5zI

SECDEF stand down on extremism not meant to be panacea, says Pentagon spokesman

DoD creates commission and orders stand down.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Feb 9 at 2021 11:01 AM

SSG Edward Tilton — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 11:01:47 -0500

You are still holding grudges from the Clinton Presidncy. I certainly wouldn’t be looking to you for an opinion

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2021 11:56 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 11:56:27 -0500

It’s not about who you vote for, and nothing in the SecDef’s words lead to that inference. It’s about people who are so consumed by their beliefs that they’ll engage in illegal, possibly violent actions to achieve their ends. If you don’t think they’re in your formations you’re not paying attention. And they’re up and down the rank structure.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Feb 9 at 2021 12:20 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 12:20:46 -0500

Extremism has always been a no-no and ground for discharge. We have never tolerated sedition or subversion. All this stand down is designed for is to re-engage and bring attention to the issue. Just like we have had SHARP stand downs when we wanted to focus on solving that problem (or the leadership's perception of that problem) we are now looking at an extremism stand down to focus on solving that problem (or the leadership's perception of that problem.

I posted on this a few days ago, and I have serious concerns about skewing towards loyalty tests, which would be a very very bad thing and indicative of truly dark times both in our military and our nation as a whole. A stand down to identify extremism is fully in line and consistent with existing military rules and laws; it does not cater to that feared agenda. (Provided, of course, that the current definition of "extremism" is used, and the leadership doesn't change the goalpost to include things like voting habits or private support for political candidates.)

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2021 9:49 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 21:49:14 -0500

We do stand-downs for everything. Too many jets crash, too many DUI's, etc...

They serve the purpose of making everyone aware of a problem that the military has or potentially has.

I did a Sexual assault stand-down and one guy disparaged the whole thing...Any guesses who got nailed for sexual assault months later?

Timothy McVeigh was a problem in the military and no one did anything about it.

When we know better we try and do better. That is what this is about and I fully support it!

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Feb 10 at 2021 6:12 AM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 06:12:55 -0500

Unlike most of the respondents to MSgt Coleman's question, I shared his angry response to the stand down. No matter how SecDef or anyone else sugar coats the requirement, the truth is it is a result of the congressional reaction to the riot at the capital.
Policing the fitness of our members to serve is the responsibility of every member of the service from General down to the newest PFC who has a Private serving with him. Yes, the members of the military reflect the culture from whence they came, but we have a supervisory system set up where every member is under the supervision of someone and there are administrative and judicial systems in the military to insure the mental, attitudinal and physical suitability of those who serve.
Our supervisory structure and our emphasis on allegiance to our constitution and nation is one reason the military enjoys the highest level of respect from the citizens. I consider it a flagrant act of disrespect to have members of the institution that enjoys one of the lowest levels of respect from our citizens question the loyalty those who serve and are willing to place ourselves in harms way to defend the principles of our nation.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Feb 20 at 2021 5:33 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 17:33:53 -0500

They can start with you. This post doesn’t leave much to ask.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 24 at 2021 12:54 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 12:54:14 -0400

Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of any group or organization which advocates the violent overthrow of the government. Seems easy enough. To me unless you get your news from
Fox or some other right wing press. In that case you just don’t know. It causes brain damage