I know I tend to take funny photos of people in airports and when I’m traveling – but what I just witnessed was pretty unbelievable, and there is no way I’d even think of taking a photo. I’m sitting in an airport on the east coast, and I noticed this guy in US Army clothes (camouflage) at the gate also. For whatever reason, there are a lot of military personnel here at different gates. It’s almost as if an entire group is going home to see their families. So, the guy at my gate was listening to his iPod, kind of rocking out (but not in an obnoxious way), and had sunglasses on. It’s 5am EST, btw.
So I’m just firing up my laptop, and this guy, not in any military clothes at all, but had the signature haircut does a b-line from the main walkway to our gate, pulls out a badge from his back pocket and puts in this kids face. The look on the kids face was one of horror. Literally, he started shaking and had visible worry on his face. He took off the headphones and the sunglasses. The older man with the badge then got in his face, and started whispering to him in a stern voice. It was apparent the sunglasses and rocking out was not acceptable. The kid apologized profusely – the man took his sunglasses and put them in his face like you’d do a puppy who just pooped in the house – sticking his nose in it. It was humiliating for this kid, who keeps you and I safe, for apparently wearing sunglasses indoors and enjoying a song on his iPod.
The older man with the badge, after his intimidating scold of the younger solider, then patted him on the shoulder, and said, “Good Boy” and walked off.
That was 10 minutes ago.
The young solider is still sitting here, looking white as a ghost, no sunglasses, and no emotion.
Fear and Intimidation sucks in any form, especially as a way to a means with one of our beloved servicemen or women.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Good post Jason. Way to record what you saw.
And yes, probably a good thing that you didn’t record it
No telling where the dude would have shoved your iphone.
Chris
Jason: Having served in the military I would like to offer up an alternative. We were all taught that when wearing the uniform we were no longer individuals, we were representatives of something greater. We were representatives of our service and our country. As such when wearing the uniform we did so with respect and to a standard that was quite high. The “horror” you saw was an individual who knew what he did was incorrect and got busted. The fact that the superior made the correction in a whisper and not some sort of bluster is a credit since the goal was not in fact to humiliate but to correct.
When I served, I never felt that my individuality was lost, however I definitely put it second to my being part of the team. Part of being in that team is conforming to its standards, whether that be in uniform standards, or how we fought together. Start slacking in one set of standards, and you run the risk of losing other, more important ones.
Roger – Well said. Not having any military background myself (my dad was in the Coast Guard and my brother was in the Navy) it seemed out of the ordinary. You put it in a way that makes me understand it better… Thanks.
Jason, I have to agree with Roger as well. Just the little things we take for granted like listening to what want and wearing what we liketwhen ever and where ever makes is just a one of the many things our soldiers give up on our behalf. You didn’t think they all liked the high and tight did you? Few of us would stay on a job where we were required to take instruction in that tone. In bussiness and everywhere else we are trained to be leaders. In the military obidence is a requirement. You are not guided you are instructed. It is often difficult to understand from the outside., and yes difficult to watch. That’s what Mr. Sunglasses signed on for and fully expected to happen if he got caught. I am so thankful to Mr. Sunglasses for doing a job under conditions most of us are not equiped to endure. Thank you for reminding me of the little stuff that they endure on my behalf.
I did nearly two years in ROTC and served on active duty for one summer. Jason, you know I’m not one who tends to like to follow rules that don’t make sense to me. That is exactly why I had to drop out of the program.
Nevertheless, while I didn’t agree with the system, I understood it and respected it. That’s what it comes down to. You have to suspend your need for self-expression in favor of the team.
BTW, years ago I was coming home from this time of the year through San Antonio, which is surrounded by military bases. I think I was the only guy on the play not in uniform!