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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| Master Sergeant Makes His Call |
| 2005-08-27 |
| Last night I received a very disturbing phone call. It wasn't from my wife telling me that our two-year old son had knocked out a tooth or that our house had fallen out of escrow -- it was from an active duty Air Force Crew Chief telling me about his new Master Sergeant. Evidently, Master Sergeant Erskin, who was recently assigned to this C-5 Group out of Travis Air Force Base, decided to grill his company on the types of vehicles they drive. Erskin asked if anyone drove a vehicle with a V-8 engine -- everyone kept their mouths shut. He then asked if anyone drove a pickup truck or SUV, again, no responses. He finally asked if anyone utilized car pool opportunities or public transportation to get to base on a daily basis. One female air crew member responded affirmatively. The Master Sergeant congratulated her and told the rest of the assembly that they were supporting terrorism by driving "gas guzzling" vehicles and by not car pooling. Erskin finally began a miniature rant that the current war on terror has nothing to do with terror, but is rather all about keeping gas prices low in the U.S. I have known the source of this for some time and consider him a very credible. He loves the Air Force and considers it a calling not a career. I remember from my days in the Coast Guard that the UCMJ has very serious language regarding bringing discredit to the service, etc. Does this fall in that crevasse? Is the Master Sergeant within his purview to make statements such as this? While in uniform? Posted by Jibtrim -- not the random name below that I can't seem to change |
| Posted by:Omesing Ulomorong9978 |
| #3 Not to sure about the Air Force but in the Army this would, or could, be seen as conduct unbecomming. If the soldiers were there in formation and he was spouting his beliefs on the war to his troops and his opinion differs from our official policy he is wrong. Now before I get all the 1st ammendment arguements, if they are in formation it is an oficial event. He is not entitled to force his troops to listen to his drivel. Off duty or informally he can say what he wants. He might slip by UCMJ but the judgmemt block on his NCOER should be a goose egg. |
| Posted by: 49 pan 2005-08-27 22:50 |
| #2 First of all, why is a Master Sergeant addressing a company? If I was that company's First Sergeant, I would have a thing or two to say to him(*). Second of all, why hesitation about putting your hand up? This does not sound like the enlisted I have known, who were always willing to put in their two cents. Sounds fishy. (*) In the AF, unlike the Army, a "Master Sergeant" is an E-7. "Senior Master Sergeant" is an E-8. A "First Sergeant" can be an E-7 or E-8, but like in the Army, it is a separate assignment, not easily confused with the other. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2005-08-27 10:47 |
| #1 ...Having met more than my share of uniformed characters, I'm gonna say that MSgt Erskin is absolutely right in saying that high gas prices do fund terrorism, albeit in a roundabout way. That's a matter I know has shown up here more than once. And encouraging caropooling - hell yes. As far as why we're fighting? Well, I dont agree with him, but as far as the article goes, there's nothing in there that says he's in violation of Article 88. On the other hand, were I his supervisor, I would definitely take him aside and remind him of its provisions. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2005-08-27 10:18 |