Sad Times- Disrespectful Service Members in the U.S. Military

By: Spike Bowan
©FrogDogWriting 2014

I was brought up in a family that can trace it’s lineage through military service dating back to the French and Indian War. I served. My brother and sister served. My Father, Father in-Law, Uncles and Grandfathers served. I have ancestors that fought on both sides during the American Civil War, one of whom was a field officer under “Stonewall” Jackson. In my family, we have always been brought up to realize that Freedom isn’t free and that selfless sacrifice is required to retain that freedom. God, Country, Family, Honor, Duty, Truth and Respect are morals that I have been brought up to hold dear and that I will pass on to my son.

When I was a boy, I served in Civil Air Patrol an Air Force auxiliary. I joined the Army Reserves at 17 and later did a Lateral Conversion to the Active Duty Navy as an 8404 FMF Corpsman serving with the Marines. I have served or been affiliated with 4/5 branches of U.S. Military Service.

So when I see the social media posts from “service persons” that are hiding in their car to avoid saluting colors at 1700 or with silly group poses in front of the casket of a fallen brother or sister, I am OUTRAGED!

Pfc. Tariqka Sheffey is only the latest scum bag to hit the spot light. “This is me laying back in my car hiding so I don’t have to salute the (5 p.m. flag ceremony).”

Sheffey even appeared to realize what sort of firestorm she might ignite since the post continues, in all caps: “KEEP ALL YOUR ‘THATS SO DISRESPECTFUL/HOWRUDE/ETC.’ COMMENTS TO YOURSELF cuz, right now, IDGAFFFF.” (I Don’t Give A F**K)

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/soldier-instagrams-about-avoiding-flag-salute-stirs-controversy-n39756

There are a myriad of comments I could make. All of which aren’t even remotely polite. Is she a disrespectful, non-honor having piece of excrement? Yes. However the problem is bigger than just a hood rat in fatigues avoiding standing at the position of attention for a few moments and saluting the American Flag for which MANY MEN and WOMEN HAVE FOUGHT,BLED and DIED FOR.

Time was, that a Soldier, Airman, Marine or Sailor would do a stupid thing like this and they would be dealt with at the lowest chain of command. The unit would handle this internally. Those who have served know what I am talking about. Now, I am not advocating violence toward anyone, but if I had done something THIS BLATENTLY DISRESPECTFUL; I would have got my ASS KICKED by the unit. Being that Pfc. Sheffey is not an officer she can not be charged under the UCMJ Article 91 for conduct unbecoming. She can get an Article 15/NJP for disrespect or maybe even dereliction of duty. That is up to her Chain of Command.

When I joined the military in 1995, the U.S. Military had started using the “Stress Card” during basic training. If a trainee felt “too stressed” they could pull this card and the Drill Sergeants/Instructors would leave them alone for a period of time. REALLY?
It’s BOOT CAMP! I gave it right back to my Senior Drill Sergeant. I didn’t want that thing. I wasn’t trying to be an Uber Soldier either. I wanted the Drill Sergeants to do their job and teach me how to be a Soldier, and how to survive in COMBAT!

Stress cards, no more swearing at recruits (which that sill happens) no more hazing…etc… (It’s not hazing, it’s a right of passage)

“Oh, Spike! You’re so violent….Violence doesn’t solve anything….Our service members don’t have to be so HOORAH KILL ‘EM ALL BRAINWASHED…..Blah blah…” I can hear the comments now. Let me make this clear for those of you who apparently weren’t burdened with an over abundance of schooling….

IT’S THE MILITARY! THEY TRAIN FOR WAR! THEY TRAIN TO KILL AND TO DEFEND SO YOUR COWARDLY BUTT CAN STAY HOME AND COMPLAIN ABOUT THE GUN TOATING BIBLE THUMPING REDNECKS AND CONSERVATIVES AND LIBERTARIANS, WHO MOST OF WHICH SERVED AS WELL.

The more important issue is the slow cancerous destruction of moral values and work ethics of the U.S. Military and U.S. Society by Liberal influences and agendas.

I have seen the ever increasing decline in service persons since I was young and it all started with MSM and Liberal influences on Military doctrines in the 80’s up through today. The ever growing mental state of “Self entitlement” has got to be eradicated. I have worked Section 8 housing as an officer and seen this mind set full boar. There are families that have lived in the same government housing plan for 7 GENERATIONS! People don’t want to work anymore, they want everything handed to them; and it is now infecting our military. People are being raised in the life style that someone else will work, so you don’t have to.

Do we need a bunch of non-feeling super soldiers that just Crush, Kill & Destroy? No, but there has to be a level of hardness to be able to survive the Horror that is combat. There has to be the selfless charisma of a warrior to do the things that nobody else will do. Not this “the world owes me” mind set.

Three percent of society are the ones that give selflessly. Police, Fire, EMS, Military, Doctors, Nurses, Animal Shelter workers and many more. Yet we are the few, who are willing to do what has to be done. Wake Up America!

As for Pfc. Sheffey; enjoy your Article 15. You earned it.

III%