Air Force Academy grads revolt against superintendent's 'both sides' position on violent extremism

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://www.airforcetimes.com/opinion/commentary/2021/04/24/enough-about-not-picking-sides-the-only-right-position-is-against-white-supremacy-and-extremism/

In late March, the U.S. Air Force Academy held its Department of Defense-mandated extremism stand-down training to examine and to eradicate extremism and white supremacy within the ranks.

Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard Clarke spoke of extreme ideologies on “both sides,” rather than confronting the unique flavor of the extremism threat on display Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol. Cadets learn how to lead by the example set from their leaders. Whether they lead with honor and integrity in all aspects of their lives, and especially in moments of duress, depends on the standard of leadership that is set by people like Lt. Gen. Clarke.

Many USAFA graduates feel the mild response to the insurrection from the academy and its Association of Graduates failed to reflect these values and stands counter to everything they publicly expect of graduates. We are disappointed and feel that leadership has failed our graduates, the members they lead, and ultimately the citizens of this country.

Simply put, many of our leaders are underreacting to the attack. We need them to state, unequivocally, that the insurrection was wrong, intolerable and against our values and oath of service to the Constitution. They must state publicly and emphatically that those within our ranks who participate in, or are sympathetic to, the organizations that took part in the riot at the Capitol are not welcome in our ranks because they are supporting domestic insurrectionists and terrorists.

Approximately one in five of the insurrectionists were veterans, according to criminal charging reports. They included at least one U.A. Air Force Academy graduate. Many more veterans are sympathetic to the insurrection, espouse the lies upon which it was based, or are participants in related causes.

*snip*

[SWBTATTReg]

1. Yeah, this 'both sides' thing is ridiculous. They rioted and attempted to overthrow the government

on trump's word/urging. One side attempted to overthrow the government and are trying feverishly to change the public's perception of their attempts to do so. Traitors.

[calimary]

30. Absolutely and utterly ridiculous!

And shameful, and willfully ignorant, and just plain wrong.

[4Q2u2]

2. AF Academy

Has been taken over by the Bible Thumpers
Does not surprise me by the General`s comments

[elleng]

3. 'Many USAFA graduates feel the mild response to the insurrection

from the academy and its Association of Graduates failed to reflect these values and stands counter to everything they publicly expect of graduates. We are disappointed and feel that leadership has failed our graduates, the members they lead, and ultimately the citizens of this country.'

[stopdiggin]

4. female cadets are wearing ...?

ankle length skirts? Is this Amish country? Handmaiden? Sorry to go off topic, but .... Jeeeezuz!

(and isn't the Air Force the 'super christian' academy? sh*t has to stop!)

[mn9driver]

6. The female officer full dinner dress uniforms for all of the services are like this.

There are variations that are less formal and have mid-calf lengths, but the example in the photo is the equivalent of black tie and tails. It’s the same across all of the services.

[stopdiggin]

16. I have revealed my ignorance.

I still think it is semi-revolting -- for this to be standard anything in 2020. (and, of course, I wasn't asked either) But was not aware that this was across boundaries in all branches.

[sarge43]

31. Are you revolted when civilian women wear gowns or dresses to a formal occasion?

In all the branches the women's service uniform has both slacks and shirts. Formal (mess dress) skirts only. Utility or battle uni, just slacks.

[stopdiggin]

36. if a 'formal' gown is the only option available to a woman

Yes. If (all) those attending are free to chose their own attire -- different story. And of course the military, with an insistence on 'uniform' -- is a different kettle of fish altogether. Not a 'choice' at all.

(My preference would be slacks all around. The insistence on differentiating would seem to be sexist -- and absurd. But, finally -- there isn't anything even the slightest bit attractive in this version of 'formal' attire. It is antiquated and the epitome of 'frumpy' (by design?) -- serving to further diminish the wearer -- even if one were to insist on some form of 'dress' uniform/code. So, even given the circumstance and constraints -- it's an abomination. And an insult.)

[SeattleVet]

7. That's a formal 'mess dress' uniform.

Notice the short jackets and bow ties on the male cadets.

[COL Mustard]

9. As Long As They're Not Auditioning For Tucker Carlson's Job

Bow ties are fine, except on people like him. And by the way, my mess uniform has shrunk since it's been in the closet. Don't know how that could've happened.

[Chellee]

10. In the Navy,

the female officers white dinner dress uniform comes with a velvet tiara. Or at least it did. I don't know what current uniform regs are. And they're right, all of the services dinner dress uniforms have long skirts for women. With a cummerbund. Because what outfit is complete without a cummerbund?

[ancianita]

13. Agree. Making gender code dress "standard" doesn't make it right.

It's a distinction with a difference. Dress that disables equal freedom of movement standardizes INequality of performance. It's an equality issue that is not off-topic, either.

Indeed, this super christian shit has to stop.

[canetoad]

18. "Dress that disables equal freedom of movement ..."

Thank you.

Did you notice that the skirted graduates also appear to be wearing heeled court shoes and not the sturdy, flat, practical footwear that the males are wearing?

Partially disabling clothing is not always a christian issue; part of the 'allure' of chinese bound feet was the concept that a woman wouldn't or couldn't run away.

[ancianita]

19. I hear you.

I didn't, but of course the shoes, too.

The disabling of women by any other means -- clothing, bound feet, high heels, poorer quality clothing design, etc. -- is the same mentality that disables people of color's lawful representation -- crippling, cheating, enforced impoverishment, enforced consent, then calling them inferior -- is the male issue across the planet. Of course, as with racism, they can't say any of that.

I realize it's not always christian, but was just responding to a comment in this particular context. In male run religions it's their issue (called 'culture,' 'tradition,' or any other cover name) -- to 'declare,' 'name,' 'brand,' then dress code half of the population to publicly mark them as spiritually inferior -- across continents. Not all and not always, of course, but enough to maintain gender hierarchy.

The ugly truth is that present 'systems' of governance of bodies (enforced free labor and fucking) without their consent ("Control your women." "Rule of thumb: keep them in hand, rein them in. Make them love their masters" ) are the old school illegitimate systems of forced male supremacy, forced on those who won't kill them in self defense, but run, instead. That armed women in the military are still raped tells us all we need to know about males who groom and train each other to not tolerate equality. Force and death threat maintain dominance.

I doubt that male brass (or Sec. of Def. Austin) will change the gender inequality that exists within the military. Women in the military will have to change it.

[niyad]

20. Excellent points. Would you consider cross-posting this in Women's Rights And Issues? The whole

idea of disabling through clothing is one that does not receive enough attention.

Thanks in advance.

[ancianita]

22. You are welcome to copy-paste it there, too, anytime. Feel free, and you don't even have to ask.

[niyad]

23. Thank you. But, alas, my computer has a weird glitch. Cannot link or copy and paste, so Imust

ask your indulgence.

[ancianita]

24. Cool. Any thread title in particular?

[niyad]

25. Whatever you would like.

[jmowreader]

28. They're wearing Mess Dress

That uniform can’t be worn before 5 pm. It’s only for formal occasions. The regular service uniform has a skirt that falls in a range of 2 inches above and 2 inches below the knee.

[nakocal]

5. Until they no longer have fox news playing

in military workspaces, they are NOT serious about stopping this Anti-American, anti-democracy extremism.

[Pepsidog]

8. True. I read somewhere that while Brits have the same problems with disinformation in news as we do.

However, at least they have the BBC as a credible source for unbiased news. We need something similar where there is no tolerance for alternative facts or entertainment opinion news.

[NoRethugFriends]

29. Msnbc is unbiased. The truth has a liberal bias.

[Pepsidog]

33. I agree but the right will never see it that way. To them Fox is still fair and balanced. Some

vehicle for news or real facts must be established and not tainted with pre-existing bias. They believe in their news outlets as much as we believe in ours.

[aggiesal]

11. This tells me that the USAFA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Richard Clarke sides with ...

the RW Extremists (am I surprised, since the USAFA has a Evangelicals problem),
so he had to highlight the LW Extremist to look good.

[ancianita]

14. Yep. SECDEF Lloyd Austin should note that.

[uponit7771]

34. +1

[BobTheSubgenius]

12. That a significant number of both veterans and active-duty personnel are sympathetic to,

or in full-throated support of the insurrection and the lies and evil fantasies behind it is more than a little frightening, and more than a little disappointing. Nuremburg showed once and for all that "following orders" does NOT excuse an illegal act. You can hang for it.

[eppur_se_muova]

15. Sounds like the grads are turning out to be better patriots than their leaders.

Well, they say the mark of a good teacher is that his students should excel him, so I guess they can be proud of that.

[canetoad]

17. Came to post about the long skirts

But find it's been noted already.

//facepalm//

[usaf-vet]

21. For me a USAF veteran this paragraph says it all.

Simply put, many of our leaders are underreacting to the attack. We need them to state, unequivocally, that the insurrection was wrong, intolerable, and against our values and oath of service to the Constitution. They must state publicly and emphatically that those within our ranks who participate in or are sympathetic to, the organizations that took part in the riot at the Capitol are not welcome in our ranks because they are supporting domestic insurrectionists and terrorists.

[uponit7771]

35. "many of our leaders are underreacting to the attack" Amen !!!

[llashram]

26. trump allowed

people like this so-called superintendent of future officers to finally come out of their places in trumps world to say what trump and the rest of the GQP have believed since the lynching heyday(s) of the knight riders of the KKK. And if superintendents such as this POS had their way, no POC or women would be attending any academies such as this. Trump just allowed the racist, sexist hate bubbling right beneath the surface of this culture for generations to explode like Mount St. Helens. And we will be cleaning up trumps mess for a long time. If given the chance to.

[seta1950]

27. No wonder

It appears, all they watch is fox propaganda during breakfast lunch and dinner, they are brainwashed.

[Cha]

32. Rt TY.. Thanks Goodness these Cadets

rejected the Gaslighting of the Gen Richard Clarke!

Enough Bullshit, Clarke!

[LT Barclay]

37. As a retired USCG officer, I know how difficult it can be to buck the established culture.

Kudos to these cadets, as they provide hope for a better future.