What do you think of this guy and his flag?

LCpl Mark Lefler — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:29:27 -0400

What do you all think of this guy and his flag?

UPDATE:

Apparently this picture is of a soldier holding that flag up for evidence reasons. he is not stating his personal opinion, thanks Sgt Aaron Kennedy for that important piece of information update.

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made Jul 16 at 2015 10:32 AM

CPO Joseph Grant — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:32:37 -0400

While the courts have upheld first amendment rights to destroy our flag, I find it disgusting that a military member or vet would do so. He needs the old fashioned version of an "attitude adjustment".

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 10:33 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:33:12 -0400

I don't know what point he is trying to make, absent any caption, but he is a damn fool for trying to make it in uniform.
Looks like he drug that flag through the dirt first, too.
Not smart.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jul 16 at 2015 10:33 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:33:56 -0400

While he is entitled to his opinion, he needs to pick a more appropriate way to express it.
He should be identified and disciplined.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Jul 16 at 2015 10:34 AM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:34:11 -0400

I think he needs to be "educated".

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jul 16 at 2015 10:34 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:34:56 -0400

The flag should properly be retired and that service member dealt with yet since we have the 1st Amendment and we are free to speak our minds, this type of behavior is "okay". I just hope he's ready for our right to drag him through the mud.

Response by SFC Walt Littleton made Jul 16 at 2015 10:36 AM

SFC Walt Littleton — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:36:15 -0400

I question his character and values! He has the right to do this and question his motives.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 16 at 2015 10:37 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 10:37:42 -0400

I would like to provide some background on this.

The Soldier in Question is holding the Flag for an "Evidence Photograph."

He is NOT expressing Free Speech or Protest. He is the unfortunate victim of Social Media gone awry. This is an OLD story that gets circulated several times a year, and will likely haunt him forever.

He is literally doing his duty by presenting the flag so that it can be used in evidence, nothing more.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 11:02 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 11:02:12 -0400

LCpl Mark Lefler I read a few of the comments below and it was instant attack mode. Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS is correct in his thread and the original post should be updated to report that this wasn't an attack to protect the SM's honor while displaying evidence.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Jul 16 at 2015 11:07 AM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 11:07:08 -0400

A few thoughts: about this guy and the flag.
- Don't make a political statement (which this is) in uniform.
- Don't desecrate the flag by writing your political message upon the flag.
- OK for a Soldier to have a political opinion but must articulate the opinion while not in uniform.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 16 at 2015 11:41 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 11:41:00 -0400

Thanks for the update! I'm glad I read your entire post (and comments specifically from Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS) before I commented.
Knowing more of the facts I can say this. While the technology is relatively the same, common sense has definitely changed since this photo was allegedly taken and if it were more modern the Soldier's face and name tape would be blurred out!

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jul 16 at 2015 11:45 AM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 11:45:57 -0400

I just feel terrible for him. He's been vilified for years and no one ever seems to wonder why a soldier would do that with name tape on full display. It's a damn shame that he'll probably have to deal with years of bad reputation for doing exactly what he was supposed to do.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jul 16 at 2015 12:39 PM

SN Greg Wright — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 12:39:46 -0400

Well you can see on his face that he finds it distasteful. If he'd been the perp, I think he'd have a very different look. I feel for the guy. As for whoever DID write that...

....fuck off.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 16 at 2015 1:03 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:03:39 -0400

Kick him out. He is an idiot and can't be trusted.

Response by CPL Brian Clouser made Jul 16 at 2015 2:02 PM

CPL Brian Clouser — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 14:02:15 -0400

I want to know the "whys" and "how comes" before I say anything about this. I need more background info

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 2:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 14:10:53 -0400

I'm glad he took it from the idiot that made it.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Jul 16 at 2015 3:05 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 15:05:26 -0400

Whoever wrote on that flag needs their ass beat.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 7:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 19:38:14 -0400

Always have the facts first. He should have made a video with a disclaimer about why the flag was portrayed this way.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jul 16 at 2015 7:39 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 19:39:27 -0400

One his pant legs are lower than the other. Sorry, something took over.

Response by PO1 Clay Boren made Jul 16 at 2015 8:18 PM

PO1 Clay Boren — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 20:18:46 -0400

This punk needs his ass kicked

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 11:00 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 23:00:20 -0400

Oh man that poor soldier! I assumed it was his too. This is circulating around implying it is.

Response by LCpl Kasey Woods made Oct 28 at 2015 1:58 AM

LCpl Kasey Woods — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 01:58:07 -0400

In the end most of us were raised and trained to be demons. We carry the souls that we have taken with use untill we fall on our own swords, but this is an accurate statement.