Marine Grad Stands On Sidelines During Ceremony (Refused to not wear dress blues?)

ktul ^ | 5/12/06

[LouAvul]

Holdenville, OK (AP) - A U-S Marine graduates from Holdenville High School, but isn't able to walk across the stage with his fellow graduates.

During last night's ceremony, Michael Lueking stood in the stands in his dress blues uniform. School officials had told Lueking he wouldn't be able to participate in the ceremony if he refused to wear the school's standard royal blue cap and gown.

Lueking finished high school a semester early so he could fulfill his longtime dream of joining the Marines. He graduated from the 13-week Marine boot camp on May 5th, in time to be home for his high school graduation.

Holdenville Superintendent Shellie Gammill says she couldn't bend the policy or else exceptions would have to be made for other students.

[usmcobra]

Correct me if I'm wrong but those are College students graduating in Marine style ROTC uniforms.

[usmcobra]

A cap and gown isn't formal attire, then why is it required?

[Non-Sequitur]

A cap and gown isn't formal attire, then why is it required?

I wouldn't wear a cap and gown to a wedding or the Marine Corps Ball or other formal function, would you? It would be inappropriate at those occasions while a dress uniform would be perfectly acceptable. Conversely, in this case cap and gown was the required dress and any other garb, formal or otherwise, was inappropriate.

[SShultz460]

I concur. Uniform of the day Shipmate.

[halfright]

He sure as hell has my respect. He made a decision that most of todays generation might consider "weird" but the young soldier has his priorities in the right place. The Corpse only takes the best.

The school is part of that vast left wing conspiracy that tries to tell our young how to think with a left leaning slant. Kudos to this young Marine and his convictions.

[HIDEK6]

Holdenville Superintendent Shellie Gammill says she couldn't bend the policy or else exceptions would have to be made for other students.

So let everyone who graduates from Marine bootcamp in time to be back for graduation wear his dress blues, too.

What's the problem?

[ShihanRob]

No, the school could make a rule that the wear for Graduation is Cap & Gown or for those who may have enlisted in the Armed Forces of the United States, the dress Uniform for their branch of service. Covers Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard and doesn't allow for "exceptions". Such a rule could have been made in advance and would eliminate the "uniforms" of the Rainbow brigade or whomever.

Rob

[Dick Vomer]

If you are an example of a Marine, they apparently don't teach Marines to form a coherent thought. I suppose you became a Marine when they were still taking some Cat4s

nah..I was a Cat 5 or..Cat 6..whatever beats your "Cat".. har-har

nope ..just saw a couple of uncles, my pop, and his pop in these really neat photos with dress blues. Saw that all the kids at the base had dad's in the same business..so I figured college and join up for some fun.

Just glad that I met some of the finest and worst men in my life, have never been as scared, never cried as hard or laughed as much, been as wet, cold, dry, and hot...like all of us that have seen stuff in country....but wouldn't trade one single second of it.... and just wish that I was 30 years younger, so I could do it all again.

The disappointing thing on this thread is all the former military men that don't understand this kid and are busting his hump. I'm sure some of it is jealousy that it's a Marine (/sarc), some of it may just be that they hated the services they were affiliated with and are wusses, or some of it is that they are envious that this man has pride in something greater than himself and doesn't mind showing it.

I'm thinking that his family saw him graduate from boot camp, that was as nice a gift that a young man can give his mom and dad. They know that they've raised a young man hopefully headed down the right path.

Semper Fi

[FortWorthPatriot]

"We have the usual pack of "experts" chiming in about how this young Marine should have worn the cap and gown at the high school graduation. As far as I have seen so far, none of these who have chimed in have been a Marine."

I am a former Sergeant of Marines, so I will chime in with my opinion.

If I remember correctly (I graduated High School some 26 years ago), the gown is simply a cover that goes over what you are wearing to the graduation. For me, it was slacks, shirt and a tie. The young man could have easily worn his dress blues under the gown and still would have kept his Marine pride.

Now I know I'll soon face the wrath of those FReeper Marines who will start quoting Marine Corps Uniform Regs to me, crying "foul" and proclaiming when and where Marine Corps uniforms can be worn. But as many posters have stated, this young man would probably be going off to war soon, so I believe an exception could be made. I'm sure there are many Marine war vets who would agree to bend the uniform regs a little.

Flame away.

[Blue Jays]

Hi MineralMan-

You are 100% correct in your assessment. Some kids wear flowered shorts and flip-flops under their gowns. Others wear a dress. Still others wear a starched dress shirt and tie. This young Marine could have removed his uniform coat for the brief walk around the track and to accept his diploma.

He could have then afterwards removed the gown and donned his USMC dress blue jacket again to illustrate his other recent achievement. His temper tantrum was very unbecoming of a Marine since he had the opportunity to participate in both graduations.

~ Blue Jays ~

[Dick Vomer]

I was Navy ROTC. When I graduated I wore dress whites to my commissioning ceremony and then changed to cap and gown for my graduation ceremony, and saw nothing unusual or insulting about doing so

well good for you squid....I guess I'd of changed into cap and gown, covering up the dress whites also. Wouldn't want all those people staring at me for being "different" thinking that I was some Neanderthal military psychopath.

You changed voluntarily, why not wear your dress whites? Maybe this kid wants people to know the "choice" he made in his life.

Just don't understand this animus for an eighteen year old wanting to wear his dress blues for graduation.

[Non-Sequitur]

well good for you squid....I guess I'd of changed into cap and gown, covering up the dress whites also. Wouldn't want all those people staring at me for being "different" thinking that I was some Neanderthal military psychopath.

Nope, just instilled with an understanding of the proper uniform at the proper time. A concept foreign to the Marines, I guess.

You changed voluntarily, why not wear your dress whites? Maybe this kid wants people to know the "choice" he made in his life.

Because the require dress was cap and gown and I wanted to participate in the graduation ceremony. I worked hard for my degree and wanted to cross the stage and pick up my diploma rather than have it mailed to me.

Just don't understand this animus for an eighteen year old wanting to wear his dress blues for graduation.

I don't understand the rebellion against wearing the same graduation uniform as his classmates.

[1903A3]

Make that Military ,Police ,Fireman UNIFORM
Much better that way

[Dick Vomer]

Sergeant....when I want your opinion...... I'll give it too you...har-har-har...

I got kinda worked up over this. I saw a basketball game this weekend in San Antonio between amputees near BAMC.. man, I cried like a broken hearted 13 year old girl...I was so dang proud of those guys.

I think of those REALLY young guys sacrificing a limb or limbs and the inane bs spewed about wearing a uniform, you'll have to excuse me, but I'd like to shake some sense into what's important in life and what the uniform means.

Sarge, you and I could drink a cold one, remember how good we used to be and argue about this young pups decision to sit on the sideline.....but I'll have to disagree with you on this one.

[JayAr36]

How long would this policy hold up if a Muslim wanted to wear a veil during the ceremony? My bet is that the useless educrats would be falling all over themselves to allow it.

[cyberaxe]

.....it's a sticky situation.....

.....while i find udder disdain for anyone not wanting to support or even glorify.....

.....our young men and women who decide to protect US by serving in our military.....

.....sometimes there is a call to show likeness.....

.....over differences.....

.....my son graduated from a Military High School.....

.....he had classmates who where in every branch of the service.....

.....without exception.....

.....they all dressed in the schools uniform.....

.....i support the young man.....

.....and i feel the up most gratitude for his service.....

.....and i wish all schools had an exception for our service men and women.....

.....but he had to make a choice with the rules that stood.....

.....i guess he did what he felt he needed to do.....

[FortWorthPatriot]

Wasn't trying to get anyone worked up over this, just suggesting that he could have still worn his dress blue uniform and graduate with a cap and gown. I wasn't attempting to start any arguments.

I'm just as proud of him sticking to his principles and sitting on the sidelines as I would have been if he had not. I am in no position to judge anyone.

I'll take you up on that cold one anytime...

[<1/1,000,000th%]

The school has a policy banning Marines from wearing their uniforms???

I guess things have gotten completely out of control there.

[Straight Vermonter]

Please. Do you think it would be appropriate for this young man to wear his high school graduation cap and gown for his boot camp graduation?

His superiors in the Marines tell him what is appropriate dress as you well know since you quoted the regulation. In the same way his superiors at his high school have regulated appropriate wear for this occassion.

[opbuzz]

You seem confused about my post.