My Advice to Marine PFC Who is fighting to wear his Uniform to High School Graduation
In case some of you have missed this story; here’s the background:
An El Paso Marine who wants to walk across the graduation stage in his dress blues sees his fight gain national attention.
KFOX was first to tell you about Garrett McCarthy’s battle in March, and Thursday Fox News Channel was in town to cover his story.
McCarthy finished school at Chapin High School in December and then went to boot camp.
So here’s my advice:
Put on your cap and gown and do exactly what you were told by your superiors. The school board in this case is your duly authorized superiors and their order is not illegal, unethical or immoral. This is a high school graduation not the Garret McCarthy media whore tour. Now move out and draw fire stud before the 1SG puts a size 11 in your ass!
I realize that my advice will probably piss off some readers of this blog but when you take a minute and let the emotion pass, consider my thought process.
The school board president was interviewed by Fox News this afternoon. He was on camera holding his Army uniform that he wore for 30 years. Besides a chest full of ribbons, I immediately noticed the Ranger Tab and Combat Infantry Badge.
His point was made clear when he asked the interviewer, “What happens next year when someone graduates in December and prior to the spring ceremony graduates from clown college?”
I think you can see his “establish a precedent” concern. Can you imagine the freak show that this could open the door to? Religious orders, firemen, SCUBA Instructors, the Frigging Orkin Man….
Allowing this would open the door to allowing any uniform.
I don’t know how many OPORDs PFC McCarthy has seen (probably none at this point) but there is a sub-paragraph called “Uniform and Equipment Common to all”. This is the paragraph where your superiors tell you exactly what you are going to wear down to socks and you will not be expected to question it.
Look son, I am very proud that you decided to join the Corps but this ceremony is not about you or the Marine Corps.
You are entering a whole new world where defying your superiors to be in the spot light can get you killed. Besides that, you don’t want to show up in your first unit being famous; trust me, it won’t be fun.
Category: Politics
Put on your cap and gown and do exactly what you were told by your superiors. The school board in this case is your duly authorized superiors and their order is not illegal, unethical or immoral.
Spoken like a true lifer! haha
COB6 Wrote: I would characterize as “spoken like a true professional”.
Well, at first I was getting fired up, but I have to admit, your argument won out. This is a prime example of following the Chain of Command. You don’t have to like it troop!
You ain’t Cav, you ain’t Sh*t!
Very good advice from someone from someone who knows. I agree with you completely. It is good that this young man is proud of his uniform but it is also obvious that he is a very new recruit. He’s got more learning to do.
So, what’s wrong with being a “lifer”? There are far, far worse things to be called, like TOTUS, politician, ACORN organizer, just to name 3 right off the top.
I saw the feature on Fox, and I totally agree with the school board pres, and the young man should just man up, do what he’s told, there is nothing wrong with wearing your cap and gown, it’s not about just you, it’s also about your classmates.
I see your point and I actually agree…of course there could be worse things than wearing your fighter class A’s to graduation…
Why the hell doesn’t he just wear his damned Summer B’s UNDER his cap and gown? Or just change into them AFTER the damned ceremony? I may not have a Ranger Tab, but I got common sense, a CAB, and Stripes showing that I’ve been in long enough to know when to STFU and follow orders. Somebody please make the PFC read CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE and have him repeat the “Ours is not to reason why…” line until he gets it. I will be wearing my ACU’s to my graduation, but thats ONLY because I will graduate from college in a war zone!!
I am not sure why he is making a big deal out of it? I mean you will have many chances to where your Class blues. But here is not the time.
Also would it not be better to wear them after you have done something. I remember going back home to get my wife from my first duty station. People where thank me and one point I explained that I have not done anything yet.
I understand being proud of the uniform but it should be more then “Hey look at me” type deals.
I think it’s wonderful that PFC McCarthy is proud of his still-young military service and of the uniform he will be wearing in service to his nation, but I must agree with your assessment. Don the cap and gown, shut up and move out smartly!
I agree. I am glad he is proud of his service and wants to wear his uniform, but there is a time and a place for everything. There are plenty of other opportunities to wear the uniform. There may be events before and after the actual graduation that can offer such an opportunity.
On the other hand maybe he is just trying to score points with the homecoming queen, in which case I say go for it.
Nah…
I have little sympathy for the kid. COB6 is right.
OTOH: The Marines have a credo writ large by Gunny Highway. “You’re Marines now. You adapt. You overcome. You improvise.”
This pussy doesn’t deserve to wear his uniform if can’t better than whine.
Sorry all… just watched the movie again.
Damn… i was definetly leaning the other way on this til I read your argument.This kid is gonna get his balls broke so hard when he gets to his unit!