Posted on 05/19/2005 7:52:10 AM PDT by Cagey
SAN DIEGO — Steven Kiernan, 17, has two dreams: One is to become a Marine, and the other is to wear his Marine dress-blue uniform to his high school graduation.
Kiernan is close to achieving the first. He has finished all but the final days of the grueling 12-week boot camp in San Diego.
But his goal of wearing his uniform to Petaluma High School's graduation on June 11 appears thwarted.
The principal of the Northern California school notified Kiernan's parents that school rules require that all graduates wear the traditional cap and gown.
Jim Kiernan, Steven's father, plans to appeal the decision to the Petaluma school board at its meeting Tuesday.
"The Marine Corps has traditions, but I guess the school district has traditions too, and the different traditions have collided," he said in a telephone interview.
Jim Kiernan, who works for a vineyard management company, said he was not so much angered by the decision as he was puzzled. Other graduates, he said, will be honored for their achievements, by wearing adornments on their caps or having their names read aloud.
"Finishing boot camp is my son's achievement, and I think he deserves to be honored too," Jim Kiernan said. He's a member of another school board in Sonoma County and says he knows that school boards can overrule principals.
In similar cases this spring involving young Marines returning to their high school graduations in Illinois and Wisconsin, school officials lifted the no-uniforms rule.
Steven finished his course work early at Petaluma High so he could start boot camp. His parents, somewhat reluctantly, signed his enlistment papers.
Principal Mike Simpson said he sympathized with Steven and respects his decision to enlist. Simpson's father was a Marine who saw combat in World War II.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
"I agree. Let him wear the uniform under the cap-gown...then take it off when the ceremonies over."
Unfortunatly that is not an option. The uniform must be worn as issued. Nothing can be added. He cannot wear it under his gown. Flame away if you want, but Marines wear our uniform with the pride and respect it deserves.
Semper Fi
This young man is not like everyone else. He has made a commitment to his country to defend it with his life. He should be honored by all his classmates and the administration. He should be allowed to wear his uniform.
In fact, we should have federal legislation (while we control all three branches of government) that says military uniforms are legally acceptable attire in every situation in which the military person chooses to wear them.
Similar to "This note is legal tender for all debts ..."
oops!
Well I stand corrected. LOL
I thought he might be able to wear the cap and gown over his uniform during the commencement and then take it off.
Well I guess he'll just have to take his uniform with him and put it on after the graduation.
Semper Fi,
Kelly
'Might be fake story.'
Have another drink.
Sorry, I didn't realize.
In that case, he should be allowed to walk in his uniform.
Wow. You sure know alot about Marines.
That said, I'm not for federal legislation on much of anything!
"Unfortunatly that is not an option. The uniform must be worn as issued. Nothing can be added. He cannot wear it under his gown. Flame away if you want, but Marines wear our uniform with the pride and respect it deserves.
Semper FiOh"
I don't know that either...bummer, but respectful! :)
Some sort of new allowance in a DEP, possible with parental consent...?
ping
Hahahaha! Perfect response.
I'm glad you referred to it being a cover as someone earlier had called it a "top".
If the school did not enforce this, then the dress policy would go out of control as students dressed up as freaks.
As heart swelling as the sight of his Enlisted Dress Blue uniform would be, he must know the reason for a uniform and as such should wear the cap and gown proudly.
I'm not sure, but I believe that may not be allowable under Marine regulations regarding the wearing of the uniform. Can any Freeper Marine confirm?
Already been confirmed by sean327 (post 21).
Thanks for the updated info!
This is not a bogus story. If a recruit has completed all course requirements, as verified by the school, he or she may report to Recruit Training. I know a number of Marines that have done this, or as recruiters have put a kid through the pipeline.
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