Marines Corps investigates song about killing civilians
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A music video posted on the Internet that tells a tale about a U.S. Marine killing members of an Iraqi family is being condemned by an Islamic group and investigated by the Marine Corps...
Okay, gonna throw out a little gouge/rant here for those of you who have just joined or are about to join (you more salty folks may want to think about this, and weigh in): watch what the hell you say and do as an officer or enlisted military member! ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WRITE IT DOWN!!!
Your feelings on the above article and song aside, posting anything like that on the internet is just stupid. I have been a direct witness to several officers getting crushed because they posted inappropriate pics on the net that link them to the military and bring discredit upon themselves and/or the military. Simply posting a pic or sending an email on a gov't computer that could be perceived as inappropriate could land you in serious trouble. People are easily offended, and you can't tell them to pack sand anymore (much as you may like to).
I'm not debating if it is right to beat down our guys for having a little fun or whatever. It isn't a matter of right or wrong, this is what is happening. It is imperative that before you say something in public, or write something down - be it on your website, gov't email, newspaper, etc - that you carefully consider your words if you could be associated with the military. If it isn't something you'd say to your mom/preacher/child, then don't say it. If you're doing something you probably shouldn't be doing, or could be misconstrued by an outside observer, don't take pics of it. We are under a constant microscope, especially as officers, and we must conduct ourselves with that in mind.
It sucks, I know. This isn't the Navy of A4's. We should be free to let off steam or say/post what we want, but it isn't a luxury we really have except in private situations. You will get nailed for it, maybe not much the first time around, but you will.
Sorry for the rant guys, but I’ve seen too many good officers and enlisted have their careers damaged by this stuff. Even if there is no permanent damage, you don't want to have to go stand tall before the man and explain something that you thought was relatively innocuous. I know I'm being somewhat vague as to what people have been nailed for, this is intentional, it's a subject with a lot of gray area.
Just mind your P’s and Q’s.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A music video posted on the Internet that tells a tale about a U.S. Marine killing members of an Iraqi family is being condemned by an Islamic group and investigated by the Marine Corps...
Okay, gonna throw out a little gouge/rant here for those of you who have just joined or are about to join (you more salty folks may want to think about this, and weigh in): watch what the hell you say and do as an officer or enlisted military member! ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WRITE IT DOWN!!!
Your feelings on the above article and song aside, posting anything like that on the internet is just stupid. I have been a direct witness to several officers getting crushed because they posted inappropriate pics on the net that link them to the military and bring discredit upon themselves and/or the military. Simply posting a pic or sending an email on a gov't computer that could be perceived as inappropriate could land you in serious trouble. People are easily offended, and you can't tell them to pack sand anymore (much as you may like to).
I'm not debating if it is right to beat down our guys for having a little fun or whatever. It isn't a matter of right or wrong, this is what is happening. It is imperative that before you say something in public, or write something down - be it on your website, gov't email, newspaper, etc - that you carefully consider your words if you could be associated with the military. If it isn't something you'd say to your mom/preacher/child, then don't say it. If you're doing something you probably shouldn't be doing, or could be misconstrued by an outside observer, don't take pics of it. We are under a constant microscope, especially as officers, and we must conduct ourselves with that in mind.
It sucks, I know. This isn't the Navy of A4's. We should be free to let off steam or say/post what we want, but it isn't a luxury we really have except in private situations. You will get nailed for it, maybe not much the first time around, but you will.
Sorry for the rant guys, but I’ve seen too many good officers and enlisted have their careers damaged by this stuff. Even if there is no permanent damage, you don't want to have to go stand tall before the man and explain something that you thought was relatively innocuous. I know I'm being somewhat vague as to what people have been nailed for, this is intentional, it's a subject with a lot of gray area.
Just mind your P’s and Q’s.
