Military AI Works

This is a bit of a Rant-got it in an email from a guy in D.C.

MORE MILITARY HARASSMENT

Apparently they are having some problems in the Washington DC area with the harassment of military personnel. This time, the Department of Transportation has issued a statement about the harassment of soldiers on the Metro. What's particularly interesting about this letter are the "few friendly reminders" for keeping soldiers safe while in public.

Washington D.C.

Dept of Transportation Federal Transit Administration sends:

Recently, there have been local incidents in which military personnel have been verbally assaulted while commuting on the Metro. Uniformed members have been approached by individuals expressing themselves as anti-government, shouting anti-war sentiments, and using racial slurs against minorities.

In one instance, a member was followed onto the platform by an individual who continued to berate her as she exited the metro station. Thus far, these incidents have occurred in the vicinity of the Reagan National Airport and Eisenhower Ave metro stations on the yellow line, however, military members should be vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times while in mass transit.

Should you be approached by any individuals expressing anti-government/anti-war sentiments, or any other types of direct verbal assault, immediately notify your local police jurisdiction. If riding metro, exit the train at the next stop, distance yourself from the individual, and notify the Metro Transit Police Department.

For this and any other suspicious activity, NGB personnel are also asked to notify the Pentagon Command Center at (703)697-1001, and the NGB Antiterrorism/Force Protection Officer, MSgt Cyril Charity, at (703)607-2396 or (571)239-1109 (after duty hours).

Here are a few friendly reminders of personal protective measures that can help you to stay safe:

If possible, do not commute in uniform (military members) -Do not display DoD building passes, "hot cards", or personal identification in open view outside of the workplace -Do not discuss specifics about your occupation to outside solicitors
Always try to remain in well lit, well populated train cars if traveling via metro
Be vigilant at all times!
V/R, National Operations Center

Isn't that just wonderful? In our nation's capital we have to warn men and women serving in the military about going out in public in their uniforms.

Question: What about those who witness this harassment of our military? Why don't they step in between these peace-at-any-price fools and our soldiers and run some interference?

I bet that shit doesn't happen outside of Ft Benning. That would be awfully dangerous.

Our government is in the process at the moment, of passing laws that will make discrimination against members of the armed forces illlegal....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7407629.stm

There is a lot of verbal abuse over here as well - the Station Commander at RAF Wittering recently caused a huge outcry from the papers by banning personnel from wearing uniform in public

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/camb ... 282348.stm

I very rarely wear uniform in public, and I strongly discourage my students from doing so. It's a habit of old, bourne of the days of one of the original wars against terror, the fight against Irish republican terrorists.

I'm afraid it's just a sign of the times, and I can't see it changing in my lifetime.

As someone once said, this is deja vu all over again. During the Vietnam War we were really careful about wearing our uniforms out in public alone stateside due to all the vicious harassment we were often exposed to. I guess some things never change.

Mike

Chile also suffered the same problem, since the armed forces where related to the military goberment of General Pinochet, thankfully, it has stoped, mainly because of all the humanitarian aid the armed forces do.

But, members of the military, must always dress in uniform, they even had to dress when going to nightclubs, etc. I'be heard that the army even posts PMs dressed as civilians in the popular dsicos to see if there are army guys without uniform jejeje

I am beating the incidents in our nations capital are very isolated and this is a bit of an over reaction. The extrimely large majority of American, even those aganist the war, support the military. But in typical fasion, I am betting the media has blown this out of sorts.

Jetmax, I agree entirely. Little event, big noise. Unfortunately There are always a few loud-mouths (who probably don't really even know what it is they're railing about) who get more coverage than they'll ever deserve.

I think the average majority of Americans (or English, or French or what have you) appreciate those who serve.

But I do feel as the Colonel mentioned in the opening post that by-standers should at least get in between these big mouths and the service member and do their best to put a stop to it, or at the least to signal a police officer for assistance. I think if that happened you'd see less of these incidents.

My two cents anyway.

The public opinion here in Germany about military is that those guys are stupid and they are only able to follow orders like robots but drink a lot alcohol. Unfortunatly I have seen many soldiers in my six years of serving the Navy really behaved that way

When you are on a train Friday afternoon you can be sure seeing soldiers sitting on the floor of the train drinking beer. There are many incidents each year involving drunk soldiers in trains. I remember having seen soldiers at a train station having fun while "Dosenstechen" (Take a beer can and open the buttom with a knife. Place your lips around this hole and open the can the normal way. Drink as fast as you can.). One of those soldiers got some beer in his lung and puked over the whole platform. It was really a shame to see.

I my opinion there is a story behind this behaviour but it will probably too much for a post and IIRC no political stuff should be discussed here

To all those that serve in the military or have served thank you!,and to those that do wear the uniform now,well.. you may not know me ,and when (not if) I approach you dont be alarmed..I just want to shake your hand and say thank you.....!..To all the active and retired military my hat goes off to you!!!!!!!!Happy Memorial day!