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In the service, it is a fact of life that ANY offense comitted by someone else wearing a uniform rubs off a little on all of us. Once the pictures hit the news, few people out in the world make distictions between Guardsmen and Active, or between services. That's why we're taught from the first DAY to conduct ourselves appropriately.

We all are taught that bad conduct on the part of only ONE brings dishonor and disgrace on not only the rest of us, but also on our country, which besides defending, we also represent to the world.

In the service, it is a fact of life that ANY offense comitted by someone else wearing a uniform rubs off a little on all of us.
We all are taught that bad conduct on the part of only ONE brings dishonor and disgrace on not only the rest of us, but also on our country, which besides defending, we also represent to the world.
I'm ex-navy so don't preach to the choir. I'm all too familiar with the "You're ambassadors of the US" speeches. We got it at every port of call overseas. And you know what? Somebody almost always "blew it". No big deal. The whole ship wasn't to blame and it wasn't implied that the rest of us were to blame! That particular sailor got his 45/45 1/2 for 2, not the whole ship!
We didn't get the prisoners speech that current guys get. Maybe 'cause we weren't at war then. Well, Grenada, but that wasn't "war".
It's easy to understand the "ex" part. I don't, and won't, accept the responsibility for others actions implied or otherwise.
You want to have the guilt trip then you accept it. That little game wasn't for me then and isn't for me now.
If it bugs you that badly then get out! Whatever you do though, quit trying to tell me that I have to share anybody's "shame".

Thank you, Long Cut, for your post #60, and Eaker, for pinging me, and Meg, for your concern in seeing that as many Freepers as possible read the comments that started with Long Cut's #60.

On today's Finest, JohnHuang2's Two Cents also deals with this subject - I posted a link to this thread there, and wanted to link his essay here. It's worth your time to read his take on this as well.

Not in Allah's Name