Poor judgement all around
I’m pretty sure this guy is going to get very well-acquainted with his first sergeant in the near future. It’s Corporal Jesse Thorsen a Reservist in the 402d Sapper Company in Des Moines (I verified all of that at AKO). I don’t think anyone can justify him being at a political event, endorsing a candidate wearing ACUs.
I don’t care who the candidate is, this is a clear violation of Army Regulations 670-1 and DoD Policy Directive 1344.10. The Paulians should have known better than to put him on the stage to begin with, and Thorsen should have known that he can’t endorse a candidate or a policy, especially not in a utility uniform. The 670-1 reads;
Used to be we couldn’t even stop at 7-11 to buy a cup of coffee in a work uniform.
That doesn’t even address the fact that he’s still a corporal with ten years in the service, but apparently it’s these types of antics that have extended his career as an E-4.
There’s more at Dave Thul’s place. Dave sent us the link.
Category: Military issues
Unreal…..these campaigns know the rules and they just got this kid in alot of trouble. RP is trying so hard to act like the military loves him. We already know the war in Afghanistan is done. We have a date on the wall because our current disgrace n chief put it there. What exactly is RP trying to save us from? Assignments to Germany and other European locals…yeah those really suck. RP will have most of us unemployed…where is that one trillion in budget cuts gonna come from?
Well, I didn’t really give a crap about the election before this, but I must say, this asshole’s douchebagidness has solidified my hatred for the Paul campaign.
You know, I was going to send this to you.
The Paul fanbase smells a conspiracy here. He was interviewed on CNN, and the reporter was loving every minute of it. The soldier said he wanted to bring the troops home, fly the white flag, whatever. There was every indication that the reporter liked what the soldier was saying and they knew whose side he was on before they interviewed him. Then the feed cut out. They lost the signal, after he had delivered most of his message about how we need to surrender to the Taliban. It appears that he was in the middle of saying something about Israel and Iran.
The Paulbots are pissed about this. They’re arguing that–stop me if you’ve heard this one–CNN was conspiring to silence him. The fact that they lost the feed was just a ruse.
After watching it, I asked myself if the military has changed its policy on political activities. When I was in the military the policy was pretty simple–NOT IN UNIFORM. Speaking as a provate citizizen, wearing civilian clothing is permitted. Speaking as a servicemember, wearing the uniform, is not.
And I doubt that anything will happen to him.
Ron Paul is of such a caliber that the Libs are supporting his run. Says something there. They know how easy it would be for The Won to knock him off.
And another thing…why is he only a corporal after eight years in the military?
I don’t like anyone using the uniform to make a statement, even when I agree with the statement being made. It’s not right.
That stuff makes me cringe. He should know better. Then again, there is a growing number of knuckleheads who, having utterly failed to achieve any measure of success in the military, are using their uniform to generate controversy and subsequent personal celebrity (See Dan Choi, Scott Olson, Shamar Thomas, Adam Kokesh, etc.)
This guy will get written up and make the rounds as a “celebrity.”
Bradley Manning’s new roomie. How appropo!
Concur with the working uniform restrictions. No excuse for this in any way, shape, or form.
The Army has a changed a lot. Except it hasn’t. Maybe its better to say that the people in the Army have changed a lot and have begun letting things like strict adherence to 670-1 slide a bit.
At least that’s been my experience in the Reserves. In 1992, I remember being a newly minted SPC4 and having a SSG jump my shit for leaning through the driver side window of my gf’s car to better hear what she was trying to tell me, because it gave the appearance that I was kissing her.
I became intimately aware of 670-1 and was allowed and not allowed while wearing the uniform. Well that and a section of motorpool blacktop.
Now a days, enforcement of 670-1 in all its forms is hit or miss. I’ve seen guys show up at public ranges in uniform, so they could train as they fight (with bench rests, laser range finders, etc.). I see senior NCO’s walking hand in hand with their wives and exchanging kisses. There are plenty of people on YouTube endorsing products and political stances in uniform (even if it’s just “Obama sucks bitches!”).
Rather sad really.
Okay, I get why he never would have made it beyond E-4, but is there any reason he should still be in if his performance is such that he can’t be promoted? Maybe I’m misremembering, and I’m sure there are different rules for the reserves, but I’d swear that half a lifetime ago when I was in there was a limit on how long they’d let you reenlist if you were stuck at the same pay grade.
I haven’t been in the Army Reserve for a while (since 1994) but his story isn’t uncommon as far as being an E4. I won’t call him by his rank as his conduct doesn’t allow me too.
I don’t believe the Reserve, like the Guard, has an ‘up or out’ policy. If there is one, I know the Oregon Army Guard doesn’t enforce it.
10 years at E-4 sounds about right, Andy. IIRC, for Navy back in the day, HYT was 10 for E-4, 14 for E-5 (used to be 20 a long time ago), 20 for E-6, then 24, 26, and 30 for E-7/8/9.
This may have changed by a year or two either way, but given the fact that all the services are trying to draw down, I can only imagine that HYT limits will decrease for E-3/4/5.
Edit: Looked it up and I guess if he’s E-4 (promotable) he can stay to 15, otherwise it’s 10 years.
“Bradley Manning’s new roomie. How appropo”
Quite apropos considering Paul’s support for the other UCMJ violator.
For someone so obsessed with the Rule of Law, Paul certainly doesn’t give a damn about UCMJ.
“For someone so obsessed with the Rule of Law, Paul certainly doesn’t give a damn about UCMJ.”
NO KIDDING!
“Rule of law, blah, blah, blah, Liberty, constitution, I WIN THE DEBATE.”
Jesse Thorsen is a Complete asshole with Horrible judgement. He should lose those cpl stripes for sure. you dont support ANYONE while in uniform, thats an Infamnia among us.
Wonder what the chances are that this asshat is a Veterans For Peace recruit? RP seems have a number of them now that he’s being backed by the anti-war crews.
As far as the Guard goes, there has to be slots available for him to be promoted. If there s no slots there s no way for him to get his stripes. With that said, he s probably lost motivation and screwed up at some point.
I concur with the following statements regarding this bag of tools, there is no excuses for him to be in uniform. If you all particularly recall the gay Captain (or was it an Lt?) that showed up, IN UNIFORM, in front of the White House, to protest don t ask dont tell, that should have been a reminder to this guy that this sort of conduct is unbecoming.
I hope someone sent something to his commander cause this is going to raise hell.
@18 its the same in the reserves. We are promoting guys in our unit into other units because they have the slots and we don’t. This means some of these guys are traveling well over 200 miles (Sacramento to San Diego is the longest I think, though Vegas comes a close second). And we’ve got other guys who can’t be promoted because they aren’t willing to do the travel.
It would be interesting to see/find out if this guy is a DoD select CPL or just one appointed through the unit.
That said, ten years and a four is still a long time. I got my five after six years, but I had a fifteen year break in service and an OTH to contend with.
Just another day at the RP campaign. Utter nonsense.
Looks like CPL Thorsen has already made the Stars and Stripes
http://www.stripes.com/news/soldier-on-stage-with-ron-paul-could-face-punishment-for-politicking-1.165130
The Cpl has a Neck Tattoo almost up to his jawline
AR 670-1: Para 1-8E:
e. Tattoo policy
(1) Tattoos or brands anywhere on the head, face, and neck above the class A uniform collar are prohibited.
You ever notice how they never really get any officers stupid enough to do these things (that haven’t already killed their careers like Choi) I get tired of these nobodies coming out of the woodwork.
Wow, what a maroon.
Must be part of that Legion of Vets supporting Ron Paul. HAHA. Why am I not surprised. Any minute now someone will be here to tell you ol’ Ron has the most support of Vets since the dawn of time or if their being modest at least Pharsalus.
Shitebird supporting a shitebird.
Oh look at that… neck tattoos. What a STAND UP example of a combat veteran to represent your campaign, Ron…
Kick that white trash OUT. He’s DONE.
the only difference between that kid and a used condom is that there is recognizable life within a used condom.
neck tattoo, go fuck yourself, idiot.
I made it to the 1:15 mark, long enough to hear Paul say the guy has been with the campaign for years. Then I heard E-4’s opening and it was if the Times Square electroic billboard flashed across my brain blinking one word: BULLSHITTER. That was enough for me, thanks.
On a tip: Ron Paul’s soljah boy isn’t “exactly” what he appeared to be…..
Nice work, streetsweeper. Methinks it will make a TAH update very soon.
Corporal Jesse Thorsen said, “we are going to NH”. Does that mean theat the US ARMY is goinf to NH in support of Ron Paul? Oh one more thing, neck tatoo – FAIL!
Streetsweeper’s ink tells us that E-4 was convicted of burglary and other crimes a few years ago. I guess that explains the E-4/10 issue.
Well, his ink does but so does his link. Sorry.
My, my, my…so full of fail.
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Oh the irony since probably half the Ron Paul supporters I’ve met hate not only the war, but veterans in general.
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