WTF? (**NSFW**)

[Hueypilot]

The funeral and POW photos are good examples of why many people refer to the current young generation as "Generation ME". They took those photos only thinking how great THEY would appear in them and never bothered to think of how others would view it.

[clouseau]

Oh gawd. Here we go again... How hard is it to realize that in the digital age, every one can see everything.

Social media has a tendency to bring out the ignorance and or stupidity in people .

[Fuzz]

Oh gawd. Here we go again... How hard is it to realize that in the digital age, every one can see everything.

Something tells me these she didn't care that other people saw it nor did they think anything was wrong with it. This is just a plain and simple lack of fundamental respect. Also the nice thing about the social media today is the way people use it as a live stream of the life and thoughts, makes it hard to defend this stuff as a one time things.

I wasn't too mad about the class picture, poor taste yes but her comment about "someone getting a jacked up flag" made me want to throat punch her. Having carried flag draped coffins of fallen soldiers home, and personally watched as familes of fallen friends are presented with those flags, to me that is one of the most sacred things in all of the military.

[B.M.]

I don't mean to interrupt the lynching party, but...

Has anyone here ever made a macabre joke?

I've folded flags at funerals in -20 weather: it's not easy, and yeah, they weren't as pretty or crisp as those folded in 60 and sunshine. I'm sure we joked about it amongst ourselves, but thankfully we never had a global audience for our conversations like this young woman has...

Social media is dangerous shit. Especially for someone too young and inexperienced to know when to hold back the thoughts they might share with close friends. As anyone watching GWB's old speeches will notice, it's easy to find flaws when everything a person says is recorded, and the context is easily missed. Was it stupid for her to write what she did? Yeah. But you were children once, too. That's what kids do. It's called "growing up."

[hispeed7721]

I don't mean to interrupt the lynching party, but...

Has anyone here ever made a macabre joke?

I've folded flags at funerals in -20 weather: it's not easy, and yeah, they weren't as pretty or crisp as those folded in 60 and sunshine. I'm sure we joked about it amongst ourselves, but thankfully we never had a global audience for our conversations like this young woman has...

Social media is dangerous shit. Especially for someone too young and inexperienced to know when to hold back the thoughts they might share with close friends. As anyone watching GWB's old speeches will notice, it's easy to find flaws when everything a person says is recorded, and the context is easily missed. Was it stupid for her to write what she did? Yeah. But you were children once, too. That's what kids do. It's called "growing up."

I'm going to go ahead and disagree with your insinuation here...

You talk about folding flags in -20 and how they weren't as crisp or as pretty...was that because it was cold, or because you intentionally did it out of spite (as her language suggests)? There is a major difference between making an off color joke and taking a picture like that in front of a flag draped casket and saying "we put the FUN in funeral". Maybe I am just a little too idealistic, but I see a very distinct line between a macabre joke and what these idiots did. And seriously, how does GWB's speeches have even the closest resemblance to the idiocy of these people?

[Hueypilot]

I'll add that it's much easier to stand in goofy poses by one of those coffins when you are too young to know or understand the cost those things come with. Since most seasoned Army NCOs have BTDT as far as the flag-draped casket, I'm sure those kids will get "educated" very quickly.

[B.M.]

I'm going to go ahead and disagree with your insinuation here...

You talk about folding flags in -20 and how they weren't as crisp or as pretty...was that because it was cold, or because you intentionally did it out of spite (as her language suggests)? There is a major difference between making an off color joke and taking a picture like that in front of a flag draped casket and saying "we put the FUN in funeral". Maybe I am just a little too idealistic, but I see a very distinct line between a macabre joke and what these idiots did. And seriously, how does GWB's speeches have even the closest resemblance to the idiocy of these people?

By all means, I'm just adding a different perspective.

The flags don't fold as well because the funeral detail is cold-soaked: Freezing weather in a breezy service coat and paper thin white gloves do not a crisp flag make due to numb hands.

I really can't imagine ANYONE insinuating they would intentionally jack up a departed soldier's flag. But I can picture the lame venting of having to be in the freezing cold rather than inside a warm church. Was it dumb for her to say it to her "followers" on twitter? Damn straight. In this day and age anything you say (to anyone) can blow up on social media, as she has just learned. She's young, inexperienced, and like Hueypilot said, will get educated on the topic very quickly and thoroughly.

With my W reference, I was trying to say that if you didn't know who he was and were simply reading some of his gaffes in the paper ("I believe human beings and fish can coexist peacefully," "fool me twice.... You can't get fooled, again," etc) it would be easy to think him a fool, but in the context of how many times he speaks in a day, how every word he says is recorded, mistakes will be made and you just laugh it off. Relating this understanding and compassion to twitter, when everything someone writes can and will be held against them, without context, it's easy to say stupid things.

[HeloDude]

I really can't imagine ANYONE insinuating they would intentionally jack up a departed soldier's flag

Well, I can't imagine ANYONE thinking it was classy/a good idea to make jokingly poses in front of a coffin of a dead service member draped with the American flag...so much for not being able to imagine things correctly.

If we're busting folks for having pictures on their work desk of their wives at the beach, then I think this is more than fair game.

[B.M.]

^^ It was a training coffin, where the peeps learn/practice folding the flag. Not a legit coffin.

[HossHarris]

Well that's much better then. You can consider my outrage cancelled.

[M2]

I don't mean to interrupt the lynching party, but...

Has anyone here ever made a macabre joke?

I've folded flags at funerals in -20 weather: it's not easy, and yeah, they weren't as pretty or crisp as those folded in 60 and sunshine. I'm sure we joked about it amongst ourselves, but thankfully we never had a global audience for our conversations like this young woman has...

Social media is dangerous shit. Especially for someone too young and inexperienced to know when to hold back the thoughts they might share with close friends. As anyone watching GWB's old speeches will notice, it's easy to find flaws when everything a person says is recorded, and the context is easily missed. Was it stupid for her to write what she did? Yeah. But you were children once, too. That's what kids do. It's called "growing up."

I was on a base honor guard during my enlisted days, and yeah we used to crack quiet the occasional joke or make comments at funerals, but the main difference is that we didn't broadcast it to the entire fucking world! I've actually done a lot of stupid shit in my life but for the most part I was smart enough to try and contain the witnesses down to the most minimal level possible.

These idiots are not only idiots but are showing their asses to the entire world. Only a fucking moron doesn't understand what the first two 'Ws' in 'WWW' stands for!

Sorry, but I have no sympathy for such stupidity, and they get all the "attention" they deserve!

[waveshaper]

Errant strike with a good video..

https://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20140219/NEWS/302190017/Pentagon-confirms-errant-strike-investigations-find-no-blame

[B.M.]

I was on a base honor guard during my enlisted days, and yeah we used to crack quiet the occasional joke or make comments at funerals, but the main difference is that we didn't broadcast it to the entire ######ing world! I've actually done a lot of stupid shit in my life but for the most part I was smart enough to try and contain the witnesses down to the most minimal level possible.

These idiots are not only idiots but are showing their asses to the entire world. Only a ######ing moron doesn't understand what the first two 'Ws' in 'WWW' stands for!

Sorry, but I have no sympathy for such stupidity, and they get all the "attention" they deserve!

People make mistakes: it's called life. What's with the sweeping judgments?

If only there was someone on BODN who has also sent an "email heard 'round the world."... A moderator, perhaps... Who flies (flew?) Strike Eagles... If only...

[GKinnear]

People make mistakes: it's called life. What's with the sweeping judgments?

If only there was someone on BODN who has also sent an "email heard 'round the world."... A moderator, perhaps... Who flies (flew?) Strike Eagles... If only...

If I had more down-votes left today I would apply them to every single one of your post on this topic. You've folded flags at a funeral in -20 weather. That sucks, but I think the family of the veteran in the casket would trade you any day of the week. If that soldier can't buck-up, and perform under temporary personal discomfort, she needs to move into another line of work. Voluntary or otherwise.

My opinion of your posts is that you handled mostly veterans from WWII, Korea, etc. Nothing from the OEF/OIF. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. I'll second Fuzz's experience (or any AMC aircrew). Standing in formation at the ramp of a C-17 watching a 4yo son cry for his Dad, not understanding why he can't see his father, and being consoled by his grandparents because his mom is sobbing, being physically held up by another family member...its gut wrenching. Then having to do it ll over 5min later for the second casket, only this time it's his mother. She has her arms outstretched, calling her son's name and his is being restrained by family to keep her from running into the flight line.

Those memories are three years old, and some of my last in AMC. To this day it makes want to do two things; 1) hug my kids and never let them go and 2) deliver instant, explosive justice on terrorist shitheads.

I'm generally all about arguing both sides, but you've picked the wrong horse to back and need to let it go.

[M2]

People make mistakes: it's called life. What's with the sweeping judgments?

If only there was someone on BODN who has also sent an "email heard 'round the world."... A moderator, perhaps... Who flies (flew?) Strike Eagles... If only...

Seriously? You made a mistake in posting that, but I consider it an honest one because you actually believe it; but if you are trying to convince me that such stupid acts should be as easily forgiven as an honest mistake you are looking at the world through very narrow glasses.

As for the individual on here who sent the "email heard around the world," I know the circumstances behind it and honestly understand why he did it. Plus, I know he is an outstanding individual and a credit to the Air Force, and it'd be a much better service if it had more people like him in it!

These shitbags are simply being idiots and if they've got nothing better to do with their time than snap idiotic pictures like this, then I see some great candidates for the force reduction efforts.

Lastly, this wasn't a "sweeping judgment" but a spot-on one directed towards some asinine individuals, kinda like this response to your post!

[hispeed7721]

You've folded flags at a funeral in -20 weather. That sucks, but I think the family of the veteran in the casket would trade you any day of the week. If that soldier can't buck-up, and perform under temporary personal discomfort, she needs to move into another line of work. Voluntary or otherwise.

I'm generally all about arguing both sides, but you've picked the wrong horse to back and need to let it go.

These shitbags are simply being idiots and if they've got nothing better to do with their time than snap idiotic pictures like this, then I see some great candidates for the force reduction efforts.

Spot on as far as I'm concerned

Edited February 19, 2014 by hispeed7721

[slow]

Absolutely unacceptable for you to think you can pass judgement and say this was a little mistake and be forgiven. What if that was you she was folding the flag for? would it make a difference then?

[TAMInated]

Fvckin' cheeseheads

[WeatherManC130]

If I had more down-votes left today I would apply them to every single one of your post on this topic. You've folded flags at a funeral in -20 weather. That sucks, but I think the family of the veteran in the casket would trade you any day of the week. If that soldier can't buck-up, and perform under temporary personal discomfort, she needs to move into another line of work. Voluntary or otherwise.

My opinion of your posts is that you handled mostly veterans from WWII, Korea, etc. Nothing from the OEF/OIF. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. I'll second Fuzz's experience (or any AMC aircrew). Standing in formation at the ramp of a C-17 watching a 4yo son cry for his Dad, not understanding why he can't see his father, and being consoled by his grandparents because his mom is sobbing, being physically held up by another family member...its gut wrenching. Then having to do it ll over 5min later for the second casket, only this time it's his mother. She has her arms outstretched, calling her son's name and his is being restrained by family to keep her from running into the flight line.

Those memories are three years old, and some of my last in AMC. To this day it makes want to do two things; 1) hug my kids and never let them go and 2) deliver instant, explosive justice on terrorist shitheads.

I'm generally all about arguing both sides, but you've picked the wrong horse to back and need to let it go.

I will never my forget my first HR mission as an AC. The hero was being escorted by his brother. By far the hardest thing I have ever had to do.

WxMan

[ThreeHoler]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-lT1oOU7b4&t=5

[Toro]

People make mistakes: it's called life. What's with the sweeping judgments?

If only there was someone on BODN who has also sent an "email heard 'round the world."... A moderator, perhaps... Who flies (flew?) Strike Eagles... If only...

I'll take that one. Ready? Here goes...

You have got to be fucking shitting me.

There are so many dissimilarities between what this idiot did and what I wrote that it's ridiculous. I'd be glad to spell them all out for you if you care to PM me, but the most important is that I told a cadet directly what everybody else was thinking and bitching about, and my email went "viral" before "viral" even existed. This idiot posted multiple "joking" images to social media accounts that directly contradicted the core function of her duties to properly respect and honor fallen military members.

If you think those two are even remotely in the same ball park, you need some calibration.

[matmacwc]

Bring back the email! Bring back the email!

Any idea what that cadork is doing now?

Edited February 21, 2014 by matmacwc

[Champ Kind]

I laughed my ass off reading that email. Probably would laugh even harder if I read it again today.

That picture willl never be funny.

[discus]

I believe this would be the one?

From: Sondecker George R IV C3C USAFA

To: XXXXXXXX xxx FS/Casual

Subject: Cadet Request for F-15 ride

Lt. XXXXXXXXXXXXX,

I am a cadet at the Air Force Academy trying to arrange a flight with the xxxrd Fighter Wing between 21 December and 5 January. I have my Secret Clearance and Physiological Training Card and can coordinate any AOC approval or necessary medical clearance (Form 1042). My presence does not impose any limitations on the mission; Im just along for the ride. Any further guidance or authorization you can provide on this matter is much appreciated. Email is the best way to contact me, but my cell phone number is xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Very Respectfully,

C3C George R. Sondecker IV

CS-20 Tough Twenty Trolls

United States Air Force Academy

From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 2dLt xxx FS/Casual

Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2006 5:01 PM

To: XXXXXXXXX Maj xxx FS/ADO;

Subject: RE: Cadet request for F-15 ride

Heres the guy who keeps calling up and bugging the scheduling shop about getting a flight.

From: XXXXXXXXX Maj

Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2006 6:09 PM

To: Sondecker George R IV C3C USAFA

Subject: RE: Cadet request for F-15 ride

Youve got some brass balls on you, cadet fourth class George Sondecker HIV (seriouslyis that your real name, lose that IV crap, it just sounds stupid). Let's break down your message and maybe we can educate you on a thing or two.

Im a cadet at the Air Force Academy.

This message should be over right here. Period dot. Cadets dont troll for rides, they EARN them through the proper channels just like everybody else. Weve got a long list of maintainers who have earned awards through this wing to get incentive rides. These guys bust their asses in the freezing cold and blistering heat and only the lucky few get the privilege of having a ride. Name me three things you think youve done to earn a Strike Eagle ride. Seriously. And by the way, Ive read about all the hard work here - https://www.gdsalumni.blogspot.com/. And I quote The learning curve was very steep this past year as I learned about military culture and doctrine in a pretty stressful environment. Brother, you have no idea what a stressful environment is.

trying to arrange a flight with the xxxrd Fighter Wing

Sweet mother of pearl, I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. We are the xxxrd Fighter Squadron, and we are a division of the xxth Fighter Wing. If you want to snivel a ride from us, you ought to at least get your facts straight. This is the foreshadowing of your ignorance, lets continue.

I have my Secret Clearance

Your secret clearance doesnt mean f*** all to us. You think were going to take you up on a tactical sortie? You think were going to let you sit in on classified briefings? You think were going to hang out and talk tactics with you? YGBFSM.

and Physiological Training Card

Your physiological training card doesnt mean f*** all to us. Remember all those hard working maintainers I mentioned earlier? Not one of them has a physiological training card - dont try to impress us with that crap.

and can coordinate any AOC approval

Last time I checked, the AOC didnt run the flying schedule of the 4th FW or coordination of our incentive flights. Apparently youre not familiar with chain of command and proper channels. Let me tell you what this does NOT consist of; it does NOT consist of going VFR direct to the 333rd Fighter Squadron scheduling shop and bothering our hard working schedulers. This consists of you talking to your commander, your commander talking to our commander, somebody in between giving the approval, and then in the middle of your pipe dream you will be denied your flight.

My presence does not impose any limitations on the mission; Im just along for the ride.

You couldnt be more wrong. What exactly is it you think we do here? Do you know anything about the F-15E? Do you know anything about xxxxxxxxxx? Do you know anything about the xxxrd? Since it would seem the answer to all of the above is a blatant No, Ill clue you in. In the F-15E, while we do have two seats, the second seat is not an empty seat that only gets occupied when goobs like yourself call up looking for a ride. Its a seat for qualified aircrew we call them Weapon System Officers. He is an essential part of our mission and we dont give him the boot for guys who are looking to bum a ride. Also, the xxxrd is a Formal Training Unit. That means that we train young pilots and WSOs, so to give you a ride, we would either have to boot a student WSO in aforementioned formal course, or an instructor WSO trying to teach said student WSO. Get the picture?

Any further guidance or authorization you can provide on this matter is much appreciated.

and Im spent - Hopefully this will serve as all the guidance you need. Gents, if there is something I have left out of this mentoring session with young cadet third class citizen Sondecker the HIV, please feel free to chime in.

Maj XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Chief of Stan/Eval, xxxrd FS

[HossHarris]

Don't get him wound up or he'll come of the top rope and brain ya!