Lt. Col not allowed in school. Do you remember this story?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 19:15:20 -0400

His wife, Rachel Ferhadson, explained what happened via phone. Ferhadson and her husband, Lt. Col Sherwood Baker, had stopped at Rochester Adams High School in Rochester Hills during the day to clear up an issue with his daughter's class schedule.

But when Baker tried to go in, a security guard told him that he could not enter wearing the uniform because it could offend people, Ferhadson recounted.

"They told him some kids might not understand and might be offended. So they gave him a choice, told him he could phone in to the office or go home and change his clothes," said Ferhadson.

At that point, the couple called the superintendent's office from the parking lot and a staff member came out to let him in the school.

Ferhadson says the superintendent, a combat Marine veteran himself, was also "appalled" at what happened and the principal has also expressed regret to the family.

"I feel a lot better about it now than I did 24 hours ago. ... They have taken steps to correct what happened."

Ferhadon says she "doesn't know what they would have done" if officials had stood by the security guard and not allowed her husband into the school.

In a statement to Fox 2 in Detroit, superintendent Robert Shaner said, "The district has apologized for any perception that individuals in uniform are not welcome in the school. The district does not have a policy excluding individuals in uniform and will be working with administration and the firm that handles our security to make sure district policies are understood and communicated accurately."

http://insider.foxnews.com/2014/09/10/army-officer-denied-entry-michigan-high-school-while-wearing-uniform

School Security Guard to Army Officer: You Can't Come In While Wearing Your Uniform

A military father in Michigan was told he could not enter his daughter's high school while wearing his Army uniform.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 13 at 2015 7:18 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Wed, 13 May 2015 19:18:01 -0400

Yes, I remember the story --- glad to see that the school district has apologized. Thanks for the update!

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 7:20 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 19:20:36 -0400

I do remember hearing about that when it originally happened a few months ago.

I'm glad we finally know how it worked out and that it was the action (and opinion) of the security guard (possibly the guard's company) and not a reflection of that particular school.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made May 13 at 2015 7:25 PM

SSG Gerhard S. — Wed, 13 May 2015 19:25:36 -0400

I do remember this story and listened to some radio interviews as well. Sometimes I wonder what people are thinking.

Response by SSgt Charles Edwards made May 13 at 2015 7:33 PM

SSgt Charles Edwards — Wed, 13 May 2015 19:33:16 -0400

That is unbelievable. When I was in high school, military recruiters (in service dress) would be regular fixtures in the hallways, mostly during lunch. After I graduated tech school, I reported to my hometown for recruiter assistance and did my job in uniform. Of course, many things have changed in 15 years. I can't understand why the presence of someone in uniform would offend someone. With that logic, police officers would be held to the same standard and would border the line of ridiculous and asinine. Glad the superintendent had his back.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made May 13 at 2015 7:36 PM

PFC Tuan Trang — Wed, 13 May 2015 19:36:30 -0400

I heard this awhile back.. Something is wrong with the security guard.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made May 13 at 2015 7:38 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 13 May 2015 19:38:41 -0400

Thank goodness for the "rest of the story" SSgt Private RallyPoint Member!

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 13 at 2015 8:11 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Wed, 13 May 2015 20:11:35 -0400

Well, at least they are trying to make amends, the school district that is. I still believe that the school security has a problem with military personnel. Who knows, maybe he just doesn't like the military because he was turned down for enlistment.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 13 at 2015 8:49 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 13 May 2015 20:49:34 -0400

So the uniform wearing guard did not want to allow a uniform wearing military person in school. Brilliant!

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made May 13 at 2015 8:51 PM

SrA Daniel Hunter — Wed, 13 May 2015 20:51:02 -0400

Still pisses me off. Something I would have expected out of Berkeley not Detroit. Glad it was resolved!

Response by CPT Richard Riley made May 14 at 2015 4:24 PM

CPT Richard Riley — Thu, 14 May 2015 16:24:59 -0400

It's sad the original thought process exists and the reasoning is even worse. A uniform worn is not capable of offending anyone or anything ... yet the thinking mind can conjure all sorts of inappropriate connections that sully the innocent. My daughters have asked me to wear my uniform to their graduations and I wonder what issues will come from that .....