Posted on Sep 23, 2016
Navy Publishes Guidance Warning Sailors Not to Protest National Anthem
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RP Members and Connections seriously are we going to go this direction in our Armed Forces or is this an isolated event?
Do you agree with Navy''s position and should the other service branches follow suit?
I agree - we took an oath - remember?
In the wake of two sailors going public with their decision to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement by refusing to stand when the Star Spangled Banner is played, Navy Reserve Forces Command today published guidance warning troops that they can be punished or prosecuted for such protests.
A message directed at active-duty sailors and reserve personnel on active duty cites Navy Regulation 1205, which mandates that personnel in uniform must stand at attention and face the flag when the national anthem is played. It also notes that a Navy administrative message published in 2009 requires Navy active-duty personnel in civilian clothes to face the flag, stand at attention, and place their right hand over their heart.
"Additionally, Sailors receive training on the appropriate usage of social media, and must not use it to discredit the Naval Service, and should be reminded it could potentially be used as evidence against them," the guidance continues, a message apparently directed at the two sailors who published posts on Facebook about their protests.
Failure to comply with these regulations, the message said, is punishable under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and constitutes commission of a serious offense -- grounds for administrative separation from the service.
SGT Leslie C. Erdman, JR SPC Michael Stedman Cody Masiero Cpl Casey Meyer CPT (Join to see) SPC Mary Hargrove CPL Phillipe Farneti LT Scott O'Shaughnessy, MBA SFC Rick H Sgt Eddie Green D. Cree Crawford SFC Scott Hudnall SFC (Join to see) SSG Darrin Bovia Sgt James Baxley ] Pmc Mcb SFC Dante Alanis SPC John W. PV2 Tj Scott
Do you agree with Navy''s position and should the other service branches follow suit?
I agree - we took an oath - remember?
In the wake of two sailors going public with their decision to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement by refusing to stand when the Star Spangled Banner is played, Navy Reserve Forces Command today published guidance warning troops that they can be punished or prosecuted for such protests.
A message directed at active-duty sailors and reserve personnel on active duty cites Navy Regulation 1205, which mandates that personnel in uniform must stand at attention and face the flag when the national anthem is played. It also notes that a Navy administrative message published in 2009 requires Navy active-duty personnel in civilian clothes to face the flag, stand at attention, and place their right hand over their heart.
"Additionally, Sailors receive training on the appropriate usage of social media, and must not use it to discredit the Naval Service, and should be reminded it could potentially be used as evidence against them," the guidance continues, a message apparently directed at the two sailors who published posts on Facebook about their protests.
Failure to comply with these regulations, the message said, is punishable under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and constitutes commission of a serious offense -- grounds for administrative separation from the service.
SGT Leslie C. Erdman, JR SPC Michael Stedman Cody Masiero Cpl Casey Meyer CPT (Join to see) SPC Mary Hargrove CPL Phillipe Farneti LT Scott O'Shaughnessy, MBA SFC Rick H Sgt Eddie Green D. Cree Crawford SFC Scott Hudnall SFC (Join to see) SSG Darrin Bovia Sgt James Baxley ] Pmc Mcb SFC Dante Alanis SPC John W. PV2 Tj Scott
Navy Publishes Guidance Warning Sailors Not to Protest National Anthem
Posted from military.com
Branch
What Would You Do
Respect
Honor
Oath
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 42
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Thanks for posting an interesting question as usual COL Mikel J. Burroughs. It is amazing to me that any service member would show disrespect for the national colors and/or the National Anthem.
Conduct unbecoming has been a UCMJ violation which makes sense in this case where those who swore an oath upon enlistment or commissioning are now disrespecting the time honored observance of all ranks when the National Anthem is played- I know there is UCMJ statute for commissioned officers and I hope there is a corresponding statute for all other ranks.
I hope that service member who allies themselves with any organization that is focused on disrupting rather than embracing community is charged appropriately and disciplined to the appropriate extent of the law.
Hopefully they will be separated from military service under other than honorable conditions if they refuse to honor the lawful orders on those appointed over them.
Conduct unbecoming has been a UCMJ violation which makes sense in this case where those who swore an oath upon enlistment or commissioning are now disrespecting the time honored observance of all ranks when the National Anthem is played- I know there is UCMJ statute for commissioned officers and I hope there is a corresponding statute for all other ranks.
I hope that service member who allies themselves with any organization that is focused on disrupting rather than embracing community is charged appropriately and disciplined to the appropriate extent of the law.
Hopefully they will be separated from military service under other than honorable conditions if they refuse to honor the lawful orders on those appointed over them.
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LTC Stephen F.
PO3 (Join to see) - what is a 92 or two? Is that non-judicial punishment like an Article 15?
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SSgt Robert Marx
An article 92 is non-judicial punishment which would mean extra-duty, loss of pay or rank along with no promotions for a few promotion cycles.
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SSgt Robert Marx
I agree that absolutely no service member should ever disrespect the flag or the anthem. It used to bother me to see troops running for a building when the anthem would be played at the end of the day. I decided to just be respectful and render military courtesy myself when ever I was out and about. I recall stopping runs during workouts to salute the flag.
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PO3 (Join to see)
LTC Stephen F. - Sir, Article 92 is failure to obey an order or regulation. There's a possibility they could hit you with more than one for a given offense. It is my understanding that conduct unbecoming is only for officers, but may extend to NCOs. I believe in the case of the PO2 who did this, she lost no rank but was not promotable and left after her enlistment.
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Unfortunately, the young recruits today that come from an era where they think they are entitled to do as they please fail to comprehend everything that making that military commitment entails. There are rules and regs in place for a reason, many have been in place since before many of us were born. If they cannot obey a simple written instruction, especially one that as a service member they should feel an obligation towards following, they do not deserve to remain in the service and should be separated. It is unfortunate that all branches will probably have to post something similar.....and on FB and twitter, before some of these youngsters get it. Thanks for the post COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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PO3 Rod Arnold
Time to revert back to the old bootcamp, where you learned your were entitled to learn the military way of life. No cards to pull out of your pocket if your feelings get hurt!!!
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Is it really necessary to re-teach this? It was an inherent part of our lives when I was in the military.
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MAJ Rene De La Rosa
I am with you; why would there have to be a re-teaching necessary. Most veterans, military members and their families have it.
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MSgt John McGowan
Yes many needs re-teaching of common things that older vets know by heart. It’t a different world today with parents not doing proper training.
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