Gadsden Flag triggers people
Capt. Alexander Garland, 341st Operations Support Squadron nuclear cryptographic operator, inserts a floppy disk into nuclear launch code equipment May 19, 2021, on Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. (U.S. Air Force/Tech. Sgt. Joseph Park)
Apparently users of social media are once again in a tizzy about a topic they know nothing about. What else is new, right? In this case, it’s an Air Force officer having the unmitigated gall to display a patriotic symbol of our nation while in uniform!
An airman from the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, wore a Gadsden flag patch in place of the American flag on his uniform without authorization, according to a base spokesperson.
U.S. Strategic Command on Saturday tweeted a news release promoting nuclear launch security measures, along with a photo of Capt. Alexander Garland, a 341st Operations Support Squadron nuclear cryptographic operator, inserting a floppy disk into equipment at the base, according to the photo caption. He was wearing the patch on his Operation Camouflage Pattern, or OCP, uniform in the photo.
“The incident has been addressed with the member’s chain of command, and regulations regarding the wear of authorized patches — in accordance with Air Force standards — are being reinforced throughout the wing,” a spokesperson from the 341st said Tuesday, adding that the patch in question is not authorized to be worn on Air Force uniforms.
“Proper wear of the uniform is a vital element of good order and discipline, which guides our Strikers daily in the execution of our no-fail mission,” the spokesperson said in an email statement, referring to the global strike mission.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the photo had been removed from the news release, but remained on Twitter. Per OCP wear instruction, it is mandatory for airmen to wear a U.S. flag cloth patch on the right sleeve.
Over the weekend, social media users were quick to note the Gadsden patch, which features a coiled snake and “Don’t Tread on Me” slogan, questioning its use on an official military uniform.
The meaning of the Gadsden flag, designed by Christopher Gadsden in 1775, has seen a shift over the years. Once understood to represent limited government, it has been used as a rallying symbol for the right-wing Tea Party movement; by white supremacist groups; and most recently, by individuals who participated in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
In 2016, the Navy had to clarify to sailors that the Gadsden patch isn’t authorized, though it bears similarities to another patch that features a snake and the same slogan.
That image, which is approved for wear only with the Navy’s woodland-pattern camouflage working uniform, features an uncoiled snake on a striped background and is based on the First Naval Jack. It also was designed in 1775, but historically has been used only for Navy purposes.
In 2002, then-Navy Secretary Gordon England authorized all Navy warships and auxiliaries to fly that flag during the Global War on Terrorism.
For those who don’t know our country’s history, the Gadsden Flag was created during the Revolutionary War and was used by numerous patriots (including the Continental Marines). The article’s trying to suggest that it is affiliated with “white supremacist groups” is pure, Grade A bull plop brought to you by the same media that bought into the “OK” hand gesture being a symbol of white supremacy. Even the decided left-biased Wikipedia says of the Gadsden Flag;
The Gadsden flag is a historical American flag with a yellow field depicting a timber rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike. Beneath the rattlesnake are the words: “Dont Tread on Me”. Some modern versions of the flag include an apostrophe.
The flag is named after politician Christopher Gadsden (1724–1805), who designed it in 1775 during the American Revolution. It was used by the Continental Marines as an early motto flag, along with the Moultrie flag. It is often used in the United States as a symbol for gun rights and limited government. There are Americans today that still display the Gadsden flag in support of freedom, independence, and for the United States military.
It’s a patriotic flag. Always has been. Which is why the US Navy’s First Naval Jack cribbed heavily from the design. Since the dawn of our country’s Navy, they’ve flown a “striped” jack. Since at least 1880 that jack has consisted of 13 alternating red and white stripes, an uncoiled rattlesnake, and the words “DONT TREAD ON ME.”
Category: "Teh Stoopid", "The Floggings Will Continue Until Morale Improves", Air Force, Dumbass Bullshit, Liberals suck
So, no one in the room thought to ask the Captain why he is not wearing an American flag on his sleeve? Maybe he was showing solidarity with PETA that snakes have rights too.
The only patches I recall being part of a uniform were the ones defined by the squadron. I could not decide to add or change them on my own, patriotic, historical or whatever.
Why is this a story? Guy decides to adorn his uniform with something unauthorized, gets told to knock it off. Seems open/shut to me.
Yes, that is what normal people would think and do.
We aren’t dealing with normal people, however.
But I’m sure if he wore a rainbow flag or a BLM flag he would be in line for airman of the month.
More like Airman of the millennium… and the poster child for the movement
he was out of uniform, he must be tarred and feathered!
He was out of uniform.
And as a USAF Officer, he knew better.
This dude is clown. No more, no less.
GT – Agreed. Looking for attention and he got it
GT – seconded.
And by the by, stay tuned for another reenlistment clown show. Remember the Tennessee ANG NCO who was re-upped while wearing a dinosaur puppet on her right hand?
This one’s even better. It’s got Stormtroopers and Mandalorians. AND a 3-star….
Mods,
my most sincere apologies – I have literally just been advised that my post above is in error. It wasn’t a re-up, it was a swearing in, though I don’t remember Generals being sworn in when I was wearing the suit.
What is annoying is that if it were the many variations of the LGBTETC.ETC. flag, it would likely still have gotten the captain a talking to, but the media would have herolded him as a brave, courageous, super patriot freedom fighter.
^^Word^^
Note the casual insertion of propaganda in the article as facts.
The lemmings will lap it up…
While I don’t endorse wearing unauthorized patches on duty the fact is that had he placed a BLM patch or rainbow flag on his uniform no one would have complained.
It is long past time to stop caring what people who cannot manage their emotions think.
Patriotism = RAYCIST!!!
I’ll give the headline writers early retirement and write their headlines for the future:
Everything is rayyyyyyyyyyy-cist! Everybody is rayyyyyyyyyyy-cist! The whole world is rayyyyyyyyyyy-cist!
Stupid phuques!
I would be more concerned with the “floppy disk”.
In what year (century?) was the photo taken?
My floppy concerns can usually be handled with blue or yellow medications, ‘beans. Boots it up to a hard drive.
If rope and scaffolding is not available, have this airman shot by musketry. Now THAT would be historically accurate. What if the snake was a black snake instead of a rattle snake?
That equipment in the photo also has knobs…..
and rack handles….
Security through obscurity is a thing. Apparently a key part of our nuclear deterrence.
The Gadsden Flag was also flown from the USS Alfred, flagship of the Continental Navy’s first CinC, Esek Hopkins.
A) that doesn’t look lke any floppy I have ever seen, and I go back past 3.5″, 5.25″ to 8″ floppies.
B) A Captain O-3 playing dress-up with his uniform? Seriously? No grizzled Senior chief around to respectfully suggest a correction?
David,
You should recognize it as an 8″ protected floppy, similar to a ZIP or JAZZ drive, circa 1970 though.
I’m sure the grizzled Warrant or Senior NCO was behind the camera snickering because of how screwed up the young Captain was in his uniform…they probably told him it was ok to wear. If it was a Senior Chief he was probably wearing the correct Naval Jack on his and told the young Captain sure, be like me!
Obsolete tech be unhackable, yo!
Nope, earliedt 8″ floppy I saw was unprotected, looked like a 45 record made from magnetic media, no housing. That thing dates from a period in my life when high tech was fuel injection in a VW.
That looks like an old 3M tape cartridge – note the metal bottom (facing the officer) and the white take up pulleys visible on the corners. Definitely eighties/nineties vintage.
Maybe he’s dropping in Aerosmiths “Toys in the Attic” 8-track…
Pick a flag, any flag – somebody somewhere looking to be offended will gin up some outrage if they see it. This just is not new nor is it news.
Here is a similar story. You Be The Judge. BTW, our favorite Air Force Academy Graduate, Mikey Weinstein, President of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, is behind this. He said the Army Reserve Officer that is the subject of the news article “violated Uniform Code of Military Justice provisions prohibiting commissioned officers from saying “contemptuous words” against the president, vice president, Congress and other senior government officials.” “Army Reserves Lieutenant’s Campaign Ad For Congress In Arizona Under Scrutiny” https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2021/05/28/army-reserve-lieutenants-campaign-ad-for-congress-in-arizona-under-scrutiny/ “US Army Reserve Command is investigating a young officer’s references to his ongoing military service in an advertisement announcing his run for U.S. Congress in Arizona, a command official confirmed.” “1st Lt. Alex Stovall is a chaplain candidate currently assigned to the Army Reserve’s 91st Training Division, according to service records released to Army Times. He first joined the military in 2013.” “Stovall announced in March he was running for Congress in Arizona’s 9th District as a Republican.” “One of Stovall’s recent campaign ads attacking Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., introduced him as a “26-year-old Army officer chaplain running to stop AOC and her cronies from taking over our Congress and our country.” “I don’t fight for this country to watch it get taken over by AOC,” he said.” “His tweets, which sometimes go viral in conservative circles, also frequently criticize senior Democratic officials such House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and apparently questioning President Joe Biden’s legitimacy in an April interview.” “The advertisement featured several photos of Stovall in uniform and contained a text disclaimer intended to comply with strict Defense Department restrictions on political campaigns by reservists. But it might not have been enough.” “Air Force Reserve chaplain Lt. Col. Doug Collins, then a congressman running for a Senate seat in Georgia, received a warning from Air Force officials about a similar issue in 2020.” “Stovall also said “I don’t think [Biden] is president,” during an interview in April.” “Mikey Weinstein, president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, said in a letter to Pentagon leadership Thursday that Stovall violated Uniform Code of Military Justice provisions prohibiting commissioned officers from saying “contemptuous words”… Read more »
Didn’t know Mikey was involved. Seems the good LT may have done an interview on OAN in uniform. That’s gonna be a problem.
Is that somebodys lunch on top of a reefer?
Looks like maybe a couple a apples.
What is this the lunch room?
They are going to upgrade from the onion battery they normally use to run the nuclear launch computer to an apple battery. Not only will it be completely EMP proof but a much tastier snack after missiles are away.
They mistook “lunch room” for “launch room”
When I was in the 308th Strategic Missile Wing, that never would have happened. First, we had everything sown on, no velcro. Second, you would not have made it to your squadron wearing it without some Chief or LC or some such having you bent over in a trash barrel for questioning.
This isn’t a costume party, it’s a work uniform in the US Military for fuck’s sake and as such has requirements for the proper wearing of said uniform…
Officers are supposed to lead, often by example as well as edict.
They are not supposed to be assclowns violating the rules…
Now every one who isn’t the same kind of ass wipe as this meat head gets to sit through a three hour presentation on the importance of having a squared away uniform that adheres to the rules…thanks to Captain Jagoff.
Word.
This assclown’s CO should make him hand write a 5000 word essay on what an assclown is and how it pertains to buddy fucking.
Make him wear this patch:
https://www.usamm.com/products/blue-falcon-full-color-patch?variant=851906343&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIosbY2Oz88AIVGR-tBh1XUwe6EAQYAiABEgKUA_D_BwE
I imagine you receive this one after completing your initial entry-level training at All-Points Logistics.
Could have been a morale patch, we would wear them while deployed, or TDY. Then there were the unofficial squadron patches. You just had to be careful when you wore them, and be mindful who was around.
Just like when the last bird is down, and the beer light is lit, we would turn our name tags upside down. Symbolizing you’re off duty.
In Viet of the Nam troops wore all kinds of
“personal” stuff. Bling festooned boonie hats
were quite popular.
No, I never saw anyone wearing Cong ears.
This may be off-topic but since you brought up war crimes, I would like to keep the disgraced memory of former-SSG Calvin Gibbs alive.
May he rot longtime.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maywand_District_murders#Staff_Sergeant_Calvin_Gibbs
I heard of one Marine who wore a “peace” button yet had “born to kill” written on his helmet. He was threatened that he might have to “stand tall before the man.” Not sure what happened to him, though.
That looks like an old 3M tape cartridge – note the metal bottom (facing the officer) and the white take up pulleys visible on the corners. Definitely eighties/nineties vintage.
Looks like a hard drive to me.
Military.com is a left wing organization. Might explain why they didn’t know that the US Union Jack replaced The First Navy Jack on June 4, 2019 by order of the CNO.
Also, the Navy doesn’t have a woodland-pattern uniform since 2011, when it was replaced by the NWU Type III. Lazy useless fucks have to always try to spin the narrative and omit the facts.
My main question is who had a camera in a SCIF to take the picture?
72 years slavery existed in SOME parts of this country. Then a bunch of guys from this country went to an ex-part of this country, killed and got killed all over the f*ckkng place so those ex-same country guys couldn’t own other humans…now we can’t have a flag that predates all that because some dude with a nascar jacket that likes to use bad, feeling hurty words flies one?
GTFO&GFY.
I want my reparations for having to teach common sense and historical perspective to morons. And I want it in whiskey.
Remember when the flag was first authorized for wear in like 2001 or some 5#1t, and the National Guard was wearing their own state patches for like two weeks until the Army told them they couldn’t?
That was actually a good idea that should have stuck around but the Army gotta be 4%(#ing stupid. And now the Air Force and Navy wear those flags or a version of them.
Good on the Marines for not only picking the right uniform the first time, but also not wearing all sorts of stupid shit on their duty uniform.
I have seen NG dudes wear cords.
No shit, and they ain’t light blue.
Called one out. He stated that his CO authorized it or some shit.
Maybe they can, who knows. Its seems each branch / MOS has a color.
But WTF!?!
Everyone wants to be Infantry but they do not want to do that Infantry shit to get there. Oh, but wait!
One can now re-class in three weeks!
The standard….what?
“It’s a patriotic flag. Always has been.”
And therein lies the problem. Patriots are being purged from the military. There is no room in the military for those who might resist the commands of their superiors when they are instructed to violate the constitutional rights of the subjects.