Posted on 01/13/2007 12:27:16 AM PST by csvset
A US Air Force sergeant who appears nude in the latest edition of Playboy magazine has been stood down from duties as an investigation begins.
Michelle Manhart, 30, is pictured in a range of poses, some while wearing uniform and striking a military pose, others while stripped naked.
The air force said in a statement her actions "does not meet the high standards we expect of our airmen".
Ms Manhart said she did not expect to be disciplined and defended the photos.
Ms Manhart, who is married with two children, appears in the February issue of Playboy's US edition.
In a six-page spread she is photographed in camouflage uniform shouting and holding weapons under the headline "Tough Love".
Other pictures are more explicit.
Dismay
She defended her decision to pose for the magazine, pointing out that she works in training air force recruits and has served her country since 1994.
|
| ||||
|
|
|
|
They picked me to train these individuals so if they elect to say I don't have [integrity] then that's their opinion
Michelle Manhart
|
|
|
|
"Of what I did, nothing is wrong, so I didn't anticipate anything, of course," she told the Associated Press.
"I didn't do anything wrong, so I didn't think it would be a major issue.
"They picked me to train these individuals so if they elect to say I don't have [integrity] then that's their opinion."
Oscar Balladares, a spokesman for Lackland Air Force Base, denounced her actions in a statement.
"This staff sergeant's alleged action does not meet the high standards we expect of our airmen, nor does it comply with the Air Force's core values of integrity, service before self, and excellence in all we do.
"It is not representative of the many thousands of outstanding airmen who serve in the US Air Force today."
A Playboy spokeswoman said two serving women have posed nude in the past, both from the navy.
One was discharged a few months early in June 2000, while the first model was honourably discharged in 1998.
Ditto.
This girl is a good girl. I saw her interviewd last night. She is well-mannered, reasonable, calm, and intelligent, and has a very genuine and pleasant smile.
The honest and open smile of hers says a lot.
LOL. Yes it actually does. Remember we are talking about the dry dull boring folks who rise to the top by keeping all their paperwork neat and tidy. They know nothing about genuine combat effectiveness and esprit de corps.
Some years ago, in order to become more PC, the submarine force started to try to make an effort to clean up the back of clipboards and insides of lockers of "inspirational" photographs that sailors relied upon to spice of boring nights of routine watch. By their count it is only shear luck that our herose of the past one the war in the Pacific.
I happened to see that thread yesterday. Actually, there are two threads in yesterday's "General Interest Chat" section.
I'd heard about this on the AM news talk show in Austin and thought 'I know there is at least one FR thread about this'. Just like the Naughty Teacher threads.
Why is she touching her area? Does she have an itch?
Yes...quite. :-)
I've been trying to find examples of her Playboy photos online, purely for research purposes of course, but have come up empty so far.
I heard repeatedly on the radio yesterday that she (Ms. Manhart) stated that she purchased a copy of the Playboy with her pics in it while she was on base.
I guess she was trying to illustrate the irony of the AF booting her out while at the same time selling the magazine to anyone with the money to buy it.
She has thirteen years of service and she is only a staff sargent. So I would say she has trouble passing her promotion tests.
Fake boobs, pierced belly, belly tattoo. A real turn on.
That aside, she's dumb as a box of rocks if she actually thought the Air Force would look kindly on this behavior. Since she made it to sergeant, it says a lot about the standards of the Air Force.
My guess is she knew full well the repercussions, but took the attitude that it is easier to ask forgiveness than permission. A poor attitude for someone of her rank.
Translation - prefers missionary position ...
Who knew that there were so many FReepers who moonlighted as probes.
;-p
She was on GMA a little while ago and the interviewer asked her how she could keep her underlings in line when they'd seen her nekkid.
Her answer was that it's just like seeing your mom in the shower. He said his mom doesn't pose suggestively to him in the shower, lol! I take that to mean the photos are "suggestive."
She also said her husband, father and grandfather, as well as other family members, are all military and totally supportive of her Playboy appearance. Ewwww!
Contrary to those singing her praises, I thought she was rough and not too bright. I realize she is or was a DI, but her 'tude was way too hostile. Thou doth protest a bit much.
Maybe you should get a clue, the air force has always referred to all of their personal as "airmen". You know nothing of the military code of conduct.
Before any of you AF-types start getting all hot and bothered - I'm retired USAF, so save it.
As a blue suiter for four years, I have to agree that in my era your statement was true.
When I first reported to my AFEES station for my physical prior to enlistment, I noticed that the "plain" women were enlisting in the AF, the OK women were enlisting in the Army, the rather nice looking women were enlisting in the Navy, but the drop dead gorgeous women were enlisting in the Marine Corps.
To me, it's a toss up between that skit and the dead parrot as to which is my favorite.
****
LOL... "inspirational" photos...... LOL
Just head to the local watering hole and tell 'em your war stories. They'll be impressed, I'm sure.
LOL...... she neatly mentioned that irony last night in her TV interview.
just a guess
My vote for headline of the week.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.