What is wrong with our troops today? What are your thoughts on this problem child?

as an ole school soldier, I believe it's has to do with that whole era of kids today verses us long time ago....their values and our values do differ...let's face it they are still those same kids that we see that don't respect their parents, the law, they ARE all in that same generation gap. remember we'd say my parents would not have allowed me to do that? WELL, until kids stop having kids our core values will continue to drop. I say this from experience as a sworn law enforcement officer on the street dealing with those same type of kids.we have more gang members joining just to gain that military experience. we need to get back to basics and ask those that are trying to join the services WHY do you want to join the military. because I believe a lot join now more to further their college education than for their value of serving their country. that's fine to join for that BUT for the love of your country and freedom should be included.

This is not a "new" issue; I can recall while at Campbell seeing Soldiers of all ranks either run into buildings or simply remain indoors as 1700 approached. The difference is that none of them posted it on a social media outlet bragging about it. That post by the way was viewed and searched more times than Defense Secretary Hagel's announcement Monday that he was proposing moving the military to pre-WWII levels. To me, this seems like a pretty serious incident if this gal's post gets more hits and searches than the DEFSEC calling to cut our forces by over half.

Now, consider how that reflects on the Army. Everyone here is or was military. We all know how civilians and the America populace think and react--they are a collect group of morons. You know it, I know, and Bob Dole knows it. So, they see this gal's post and think ALL Soldiers feel that way about the colors, traditions, and overall military culture. Now it appears the Army is unprofessional and full of horrible examples of Americans. So, what do you do?

Well, Ft. Carson sent their senior Colonel to discuss the matter the repercussions are being felt from the Pentagon, showing how serious this otherwise minor infraction has become. In addition, the Soldier posted a video to Instagram discussing her regret, but still failed to apologize for her actions and held the tone that it was wrong to have spoke out against her.

So, what do we do? Well, my last MOS was as a paralegal and there are several options for the Army. I could go into them, but that would be a waste of time. What I see coming from this is the Soldier getting a field grade Art. 15, loss of rank, and probably hit with some extra duty and pay. I do not see a court martial coming from this for one reason and one reason alone--cost. Trials are expensive and the minute they attempt to prosecute on this case, then every single other Soldier that does the same actions will be called into question by the defense as to why they were not prosecuted. In the end, I can see the race card being played and it would be effective.

The point is that this Soldier deserves punishment, especially given the amount of negative PR created by her post. She will be used as the example to try and deter others from using social media so immaturely. A court-martial won't happen because of cost. So, that is that.

That is very kind of you and I thank you.   I really appreciate your point of view as long as it is respectful.  You will find many fine people here and don't worry if some are diametrically opposed to your opinions,  it is not personal.

We all appreciate your sincere apology. You are a brother in arms.

Sir, I completely agree with you. As a new airman I remember doing the same thing this troop has done but never posted it on FB. I did grow out of it after MY Flight Commander had an "Extended Meeting" with me. I was smoked for about a half hour but then he gave me a good lesson on why we do what we do and why we should be proud. I'm embarrassed that I ever did not want to show my support but I did learn from it with the help of a calm and knowledgeable Lieutenant. This girl does need to be reprimanded in a way that it is a lesson not just a smoke session or verbal beat down.  

Major Brad, very respectfully Sir, I once thought I had committed an error, but as you know full well Navy Command Master Chiefs (and other Service Equivalents) never made any mistakes on our way up.  (Listen - you can hear the laughter from my friends and Shipmates.)

I agree with most of what you say. I do however, classify mistakes and blatant disrespect in two different categories. 

CSM, I agree. I think it speaks volumes about an NCO's true character when they choose to blast a PFC all over Facebook. Yes, the issue of social media and Soldiers needs to be addressed. Yes, the issue of Soldiers lacking respect needs to be addressed. However, FB is not the proper forum to do so. What happened to setting to example?

SFC that is not the real world.  Just today I heard a report on an Asian kid that decided to besmirch his employer's choice of company uniform,  he got fired.   So ignorance is no defense,  any more than not faithfully pulling CQ or lying about their age.

This was on Facebook and I think this was over-the-line.   On top of that,   are we becoming voyeurs?  Are we complacent on the little things and irate over their consequences.   I don't know but we have to get a handle on it even if that means taking a refresher course ourselves.

I honestly just want to see this post and all the posts go away about this soldier.  

Did the soldier mess up, HELL YES!
Are the CO and 1SG going to handle it, HELL YES!

It's done, it's not worth wasting our time bickering about this one individual and take time away from the soldiers that do the right thing. 

SSG Burns, 

100% agree, we should always teach why these things are so important instead of how to "knee-jerk" when things go wrong.
The military is a reactive force not pro active, sadly.

1SG

Any less character than the Soldier that gets a DUI, alcohol/drug related incident?

I agree her actions need attention but I believe she can be retrained. It just takes the right person with the right approach. Some of the best Soldiers are the ones that really messed up in the beginning.

I doubt it will be handled at the lowest level - too much bad publicity from this. She will be made an example of.

1SG - isn't UCMJ handling it 'in house'?  

Sir,

Sir,

1LT Kailin G. You are right. When I served from 1972 to 1992 these same things happened. They just never became public since we didn't have the internet and social networks. These things were handled in house and privately.  Our NCOs and Officers need to set the examples and stay involved with their subordinates enough to prevent some of these things from ever happening.

Your SGT did well.  I hope everyone involved learned something and gained a new appreciation for our Flag, customs, and courtesies.

1SG Dimico,

I miss those times! I remember being an uneducated young soldier and not looking at what time it was after formation and was making my way back into the barracks at 1659. The 1SG, Squad Leaders and everyone else around let us young soldiers know (in their own way) that we needed to stop and prepare for retreat. I was completely oblivious to it, but it has stuck with me till this day.

Ft. Bliss blocks off the road in front of HQ for Retreat

What's going on is we have discipline issues in our Army and NCO are afraid to do on spot corrections.

As younger groups move away from Facebook and Twitter, Instagram is this week's social media choice...the more users, the more chances of these things happening.

Just like sexual assaults, these problems will not go away...we've got to expose the problem, educate (and educate some more) until everyone is aware what NOT to do (even thought the majority already know this).

I think everyone is aware of what not to do.  They just don't care and don't think.  I don't think anyone who has ever committed sexual assault in todays Army did it because they weren't educated that it was wrong.