Month: April 2015

Everything not forbidden is compulsory. An anonymous cadet at Temple University's ROTC program speaks:

“Attendance is mandatory and if we miss it we get a negative counseling and a ‘does not support the battalion sharp/EO [Sexual Harassment / Assault Response and Prevention / Equal-Opportunity] mission’ on our CDT OER [Cadet Officer Evaluation Report] for getting the branch we want. So I just spent $16 on a pair of high heels that I have to spray paint red later on only to throw them in the trash after about 300 of us embarrass the U.S. Army tomorrow.”

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We want you, we want you, we want you as a new recruit:

An enticing offer. Plenty of parents will be absolutely thrilled to send their sons to such a wholesome educational environment.

Postscript: I've been a staunch opponent of hazing since at least the age of twelve, and what's most pernicious about the Temple ROTC hazing case is that it was conducted in the service of an ostensibly good cause. Those who expressed doubts in participating in their own ritual self-abasement were informed by their superior officers that they were bad people whose careers would be ruined for their disobedience.

As for the "Walk A Mile In Her Shoes" campaign, the first I ever heard of it was last year, and I confess to having snickered a little at the sight of the male participants. But here's the thing: I would never make fun of men who VOLUNTARILY took part, because I recognize that they're doing no harm and their intentions are basically good (notwithstanding my personal reservations about the optics and effectiveness of their efforts).

However, when such a campaign becomes involuntary – a handy excuse for toxic leaders to humiliate their subordinates – well, that's when its time to draw the satirical knives.

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And, in completely unrelated news: Army Morale Low Despite $287 Million “Optimism” Program

Gee, I WONDER how THAT could've happened…

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Hostile work environment, much?

In response to this latest development, I asked renowned military affairs specialist Dr. Kermit T. Frog about the president’s change in the army’s dress-code policy, and its likely effect on serviceman morale:

Hat tip: Ace of Spades HQ

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