Where does the military community stand on kneeling during the national anthem (thoughtful responses please)?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 19:37:56 -0400

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Sep 6 at 2018 9:01 PM

Sgt John Steinmeier — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 21:01:50 -0400

I think you will have issues with your command if you kneel during the National Anthem on post in uniform.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Sep 6 at 2018 9:06 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 21:06:40 -0400

I will defend until my death their right to kneel in whatever protest they think appropriate. The right to freedom of expression, speech, and peaceful assembly are guaranteed under the Constitution. That same right gives me the freedom to say I think they are some of the biggest unmitigated asses for doing so. And that includes the goobers I see in the stands who are lounging about, texting, talking, or other wise engaging in childish behavior during the Anthem.

Considering I haven't watched "professional sports" since they started boo-hooing about being underpaid, I really couldn't care less what a bunch of overpaid pampered divas say or do.

Response by Maj John Bell made Sep 6 at 2018 10:33 PM

Maj John Bell — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 22:33:06 -0400

The "military community" is not monolithic and of one mind. Any opinion you can find in the civilian community, you can probably find in the military community.

Response by PO1 Don Gulizia made Sep 7 at 2018 9:50 AM

PO1 Don Gulizia — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 09:50:22 -0400

Without “assuming” too much, I’m sure all of us believe that all Americans have the right to protest. Where our views differ is the platform where protest occur and reasoning for protest. The NFL is a corporation. NFL players are employees that are responsible to the rules and regs of their bosses. The NFL owners and commissioner are responsible to their “shareholders” and customers. If the NFL doesn’t mind their employees protesting while “on the clock,” that is their decision and they have to live with the consequences. At the same time, customers get to voice their displeasure with the way the NFL handles these protests. There is no right view of these protests, just opinions. As for the cause of these protests, again…opinion. Some see Kaepernick’s / BLM’s protest as justified…others don’t think the data supports the outrage. Personally, I think Kaep’s protest started with the honest intentions, but went off the rails and the NFL exacerbated the issue. If this was truly about police brutality, why not protest outside the worst offending police stations? If Kaep skipped a game day and protested outside of LAPD HQ, do you really think it wouldn’t make headline news with a mob of media covering the event? If Malcolm Jenkins skipped last night’s game and protested outside Philly police HQ would he receive even more attention to his issue? Why just during the National Anthem? To me, like every other political event, this isn’t about saving lives or changing policy, but attaining more votes and raising more money.