Marine headbutts protester at PI
1AirCav69 sends us a link from WTOC in Savannah, Georgia that describes an incident outside the gate at the USMC base at Parris Island, SC when a drill sergeant confronted one of the protesters, a former Marine who was wearing his DI cover;
He pulls up and he walks up to me and says, ‘Are you Ethan Arguello?’ I said ‘yes’, and he said ‘I spoke to you on the phone yesterday’ and I said ‘yes’. He said ‘I know I told you not to wear that campaign cover,'” said Arguello.
Arguello said he wore the hat to represent active duty Marines who can’t protest.
[…]
“And then, all of a sudden, the drill sergeant, he just head butted Ethan’s hat right off his head,” said protester Monique Puffinberger. “He grabbed it, got in his Jeep and drove off.”
In another WTOC article, they report that Arguello was protesting the president’s decision to swap terrorists for Bowe Bergdahl.
The group says it’s anti-American what Obama did, exchanging five terrorists for one traitor, and they won’t tolerate it.
“I hold every member of Al Qaeda directly responsible for the death of each of my brothers and the injuries also,” said Arguello. “Therefore, the release of those five is essentially the release of these five murderers of my brothers.”
While I agree with Arguello’s protest and his right to do so, I also agree with the Marine who head-butted him. The uniform is an inappropriate medium with which to protest. It was inappropriate when IVAW did it, and it was inappropriate for Arguello do it. I think it’s especially irresponsible to wear it for the event at a Marine Corps Training post in front of all of those impressionable recruits.
I know the name of the guy who head-butted Arguello and by all reports he’s a good Marine, so I guess when a Marine sergeant major tells you not to wear your DI cover, unless you want to get head-butted, you shouldn’t wear it.
ADDED thanks to ChipNASA: Meet Sgt. Maj. Paul Archie. Yeah, that’s not a head-butt;
WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather
Category: Marine Corps
SgtMaj Archie did the right thing point blank. Had he not done so the headline would have read “drill instructors protest the commander in chief”. No drill instructor wants to be associated with something that goes against what they live by and teach their recruits. Especially when they work 16 hour days for three months at a time. That is not an exaggeration either, 16 is the number of hours a day got 3 months at a time and they do this multiple times over a 3 year span. Coupled with minimal time to eat and content running and screaming all day long. It is a sacrifice from family like no other. When they do get home to see their families they fall asleep with their face in their dinner. Don’t disgrace them by wearing a campaign cover because you want to prove a point politically. It’s especially wise when the one doing it knows better.
SgtMaj Archie behaved like an out of control Lance Corporal. By reacting, he became the news. Not what one expects out of such a senior SNCO. Was the other guy a dumbazz? Absolutely, but he gets super bonus points for getting a senior Sergeant Major to turn it into national news. As to the hat, as an 8511 (Drill Instructor), it is nothing but a felt hat. Which is worn not only by DI’s but SArmy and Air Force as well as PMI’s. The man or woman wearing it makes the Drill Instructor.
Neal? In answer to your question below, I’ll feel bad for believing his platoon mates when he is proven innocent in a General Court Martial. If he is found guilty, will you come back and apologize as vehemently as you are running your suck now?
Well I don’t agree with this protester one bit. He is an idiot and should have been elbowed in the jaw for acting like a “know it all” punk. I was trained at Parris Island in 1973 and my drill instructor taught me do as I am instructed. I am sick of hearing all these know it all ex-military fucktards that watch Fox News for their source of Intel. It has been proven time after time that Fox News is full of crap and makes things up just to get Americans to hate each other. Why are veterans so quick to turn their backs on an active duty US solider just because they heard nothing more than a rumor on a TV or entertainment radio?
How are you going to act when you find out the Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl never deserted his post and nobody ever died looking for him?
Um, maybe people believe Bergdahl deserted and people died looking for him because folks who were there with Bergdahl at the time he disappeared and afterwards are saying that’s what happened?
Am I the only one who realizes that was in no way a head butt? Does everyone know what a head butt is and looks like. He moved in to intimidate the man and the dude moved in the same manner. The proximity knocked the hat off and CSM took it and peaced out!! If dude wants to protest, do it away from a military installation. Whether or not the personnel on that base and within the service agree or disagree with your message!!
Thanks for the laugh, Neal. Now, do try the gold foil next time. Sure it’s more expensive but, man, it blocks the signals so much better than the silver.
So it was a protest in poor taste. The SGM was out of line however, even though I understand why he would be upset. And although I’m sure his troops would rah rah rah if they saw this video, I feel he is setting a poor example of leadership judgment. And as a former drill sergeant I will wear my campaign hat anywhere I feel appropriate and a double goddamn dare some self-righteous anyone to take it off my head. But I probably wouldn’t wear it at a protest. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the SGM faces UCMJ actions, and at the very least his actions constitute assault. But I stress, I can get with his being so outraged that he wanted to snatch the hat off the other guys’ head.
The protesters are idiots! Why I say this, First read the Quote Al Qaeda Prisoners (They were no Al Qaeda are a part of that network They were Taliban Commanders, there is a difference even if a slim difference. Taliban were a ruling party before U.S. invasion in to Afghanistan, they did nothing to stop Al Qaeda from training there in t he country, but not automatically associated with the terror group. So the correct quote should have been “The Group says it’s anti-American what Obama did to let Five Taliban Commanders….. Show this shows me about the groups intelligent right there. Also what the f$*K ever happen to never leaving a man behind. He was being held as a POW that has been proven how he got captured and what happen still needs to be investigated. People should not be quick to judge him, with out knowing the details and taking six former soldiers who served with him for their word when I am sure there are way more soldiers in his unit or platoon then six. Also from reports that Bergdah’s Platoon was F$*ked up already just the month prior to his capture the Platoon Leader was relieved of duty, which makes me ask what was going on in that Company and Platoon leadership. Other facts about this is 5 Tailban commanders have to stay in Qutar for one year by the time they would be allowed to come back US Forces should be departing the country by then, just think about it, do you really think we are just letting them go on their own accord don’t you think US intelligence are not going to have them closely monitored some how or another. I will not be surprised that after the years time when they do get back to Afghanistan they don’t end up getting a Drone attack taking those five commanders out? Still people who are making this a political debate on a Release of a U.S. POW have to remember our U.S. Creed about never leaving a fallen comrade, not being made evident on the… Read more »
May I call you Neal? You forgot to mention Fox News this time. Remember, the gold foil is much better than the silver.
Simple fact it was battery!! He should face UCMJ action. We hold our noncommissioned officers to a high standards and no wear did I ever see an any manual where it allows for a NCO to touch a civilian that is peacefully protesting. I have I fact seen stacks of paperwork from the pentagon saying not to. This is far more damaging to the image to the marine corp than someone out there in a campaign cover. This shows that the marine corp does not value the vary document that they have been dying for or that they are just to stupid to read it. I don’t care if someone is flying the flag upside down, burning our uniforms in protest, or waving nasty signs outside our bases; becouse we gave them that right as long as it is without violence. Just as is rolling thunder and many other rallies we hold. We need to learn to truly understand what we fought and died for and not run on emotions!!
Since the action took place off of military property and involved a civilian it wont be addressed under the UCMJ.
The Sgt Major has been charged with 3rd Degree battery. Since the property he tried to steal was recovered I doubt petty theft will be added to it.
As far as the UCMJ goes he could get an article 134. I’m sure his direct superior was not happy that his Senior Enlisted Advisor made the news and blotter tussling with a civilian in front of Law enforcement.
The Former Marine ( civilian) was definatley out of line and acted ignorant by wearing an item as unique as a campaign cover. It’s not illegal to be stupid.
In my opinion the Sgt Major lost control of himself, whether because of the political issue or the improper use of a uniform item. He will answer for that, probably with an earier than expected retirement or a less then plum assignment.
Ethan Arguello ( the civilian) needs to stop his baiting, he is only bringing discredit to his opinion. He needs to drop his bullshit charges and apologize for antagonizing the Sgt Major.
I wish everyone would stop calling it battery abuse assault etc. Holy crap why don’t all of you meet up and hold hands in the forest and sing cumbia because you all sound like the type of people we had back in the 70s who used to spit on returning military members and never lifted a damn finger to make a difference in the first place. America used to have balls but now we are a nation of imposing bleeding hearts without a thought in mind of what freedom of speech was meant for. Before we became a spoiled nation born into luxury real men had to make this place into what it WAS and is no longer. The same people who say he had the right to do it and blah blah are the same ones who wouldn’t stand up for themselves given they were put in the same position as the sgtmaj and by that I mean someone degrading what you stand for and doing something about it. But you won’t because you are cowards afraid to admit that you would like to beat that idiot into a pulp until he understood that his actions make it seem like all those who went before him died in vain just so he could wear a campaign cover like a child throwing a report tantrum that needs his ass beat. Keith Neal you are welcome at my table anytime brother thank you for thinking like an American with pride regardless how bad it hurts a bleeding heart.
*temper in place of report
Every Marine knows that the Marine Corp uniform is a scared thing. Obviously the former Marine drill instructor was trying to grab people’s attention by saying “Hey! Wake up america! I’m a former Marine drill instructor and I’m saying this country is going down the toilet and don’t you think that the Marine corp won’t go down the toilet or get dismantled in the process.” Spit polished marine drill instructor don’t mean sh** when we’re all in a prison camp or disarmed because of the cronies running this country! There are bigger issues here than bringing out the customs and courtesys of the Marine Corp. That sgtmjr needed to have an understanding that the former Marine is expressing his 1st amendment rights. Our rights are dissolving and anyone in the military needs to help protect the constitution and not be ignorant to what’s really going on in this country.
First of all if you are a former Marine, you would know how to spell “MARINE CORPS”. Next, you say the country is going down the toilet…I agree. But, maybe its just because we don’t bring out the old customs & courtesies and traditions. Too many people let the little things slide. Remember, most floods start with one drop of water.
b) Former members of the Armed Forces.
(1) Unless qualified under another provision of this part or under the provisions of 10 U.S.C. 772, former members who served honorably during a declared or undeclared war and whose most recent service was terminated under honorable conditions may wear the uniform in the highest grade held during such war service only upon the following occasions and in the course of travel incidents thereto:
(i) Military funerals, memorial services, weddings, and inaugurals.
(ii) Parades on national or State holidays; or other parades or ceremonies of a patriotic character in which any active or reserve U.S. military unit is taking part.
(2) Wearing of the uniform or any part thereof at any other time or for any other purpose is prohibited.
opefully this helps.
Sounds awesome. Should we now post sections of the Constitution and US Code in which our President is required to obey statutes that he ignores?
We could and I’d like to. I hope all the bleeding hearts like what the “change we needed” back in 2008 has brought us and hopefully people start using their brains when they vote now. But then again in order to really affect the presidential election we would all need to become more involved with the elections of delegates within the electoral college which the average American doesn’t even know what I just said so maybe ask we can do is make posts on a website that no-one will ever see.
More like 1 st amendment wrong doing
16 years (4 active 12 Guard), deployed 4 times, gained 5 MOS’s, toughest job I ever had, was to put on the uniform and protect people like that guy…and protect his right to disrespect me. But I do, and will do it again…with honor.
Here are the facts:
1.The protest and subject of the protest was valid
2. The “former” Marine Drill Instructor should not have worn his Campaign cover. As a former Marine he knows this!
3. SgtMaj. clearly did not “head-butt” Mr. Arguello. It was clearly incidental contact.
4. SgtMaj should not have taken Mr. Arguello’s cover.
5. Both are responsible for the escalation of the situation.
Jackass still trying to represent wearing that hat ran into the real deal now he’s crying like a little bitch got what he deserved.