The Military Civilian

The Military Citizen

            I just wanted to relate this story, as it is one of great disrespect, and one of the reasons I got out of the Navy after 11 years.

            In the mid 90’s I had the rank of E5, (about the middle for enlisted).  I was standing my watch – guard duty, for allowing people to come in and out of the building.  Well in the morning about 1 minute before morning colors (where we stand and salute our flag), I witnessed something in disgust, so I took action.  You see while in uniform we are not supposed to run unless bullets are flying, in the scenario I just set up I saw about 9 senior enlisted and 2 or 3 junior officers run to the door so they Wouldn’t have to salute the Flag.  So I locked the big glass door and denied them access, now remember they are at least double my rank, I knew I was going to be in trouble but it was the right thing to do.  Immediately they started banging on the door and telling me to let them in.  The watch has positional authority, I told them to turn around and salute the Flag, which they did looking back under their salute at me with eyes of anger.  After colors I unlocked the door and started to get the routine, “Who is your division officer?  Where do you work?”  Fortunately for me the Master of Arms came up, (He is in charge of the area I currently had responsibility of) and asked Petty Officer what is going on here?  I replied, “Sir, these gentlemen decided to run across the parking lot so they wouldn’t have to salute the flag that my father has 2 purple hearts for, that my grandfather and great uncle fought in WW2 for, that my uncle fought for, and what I fight for is worth the respect that my family and so many other families have held as a symbol of our country.  If my job in the Navy is to better myself and want to advance in rank, I would hope that these gentlemen here are not the examples I am supposed to follow.”  With that the Master of Arms, said, “Well spoken, all of you come with me.”  I saw their faces turn from anger red to embarrassment red.  Needless to say I paid the price with a lot of harassment from them over the next 3 years.

~ by jcbwolf on July 3, 2008.