This is not okay. Airmen onboard the USS Wasp wearing patches with a likeness of Trump

[octoberlib]

Link to tweet

Airmen onboard the USS WASP wearing patches on their jumpsuits that read “Make Aircrew Great Again.” The patches include an image in the center in the likeness of President Trump.

Link to tweet

This is a violation of Article 134 of the UCMJ. This can’t be tolerated! When I swore my oath in 1975 it was to my country, not to a potus, and nothing has changed. Wearing patches or insignia in fealty to President is no different than showing fealty to a dictator. @tedlieu




Trump's visiting the USS Wasp today and the troops stationed in Japan.

[demtenjeep]

1. this is wrong

but will anyone say anything?????????????

[octoberlib]

2. I sent this tweet to Dems on the Armed Services committee : Jackie Spiers, Seth Moulton, Ro Khanna

We'll see.

[pangaia]

25. Are you fucking kidding me?

You are ok with this?

🤖

[BlancheSplanchnik]

30. No, the point was to inform Dems who might say something

If I read the comments correctly.

[Pacifist Patriot]

34. I'm not sure where you got the impression to poster was okay with it.

Clearly they're not as they chose to inform members of Congress who would understand the implications, are likely to be as outraged, and might be in a position to do something about it.

[dameatball]

53. I think you misunderstood the intent. It happens sometimes.

[pangaia]

93. I somehow replied to the wrong post.

[dameatball]

95. I've done that too.

[octoberlib]

57. No. I'm making Dems on the Armed Services Committee aware that

aircrews are wearing Trump patches so they can make some inquiries and hopefully take action. Totally confused as to how this isn't clear.

[pangaia]

92. My many apol8gies. I meant to reply to Hortensis

who DOES seem to be ok with it..

[octoberlib]

94. No problem, pangaia!

[SlogginThroughIt]

68. ??????

uhhhh...

[lunatica]

77. What are you talking about?!

Where did you get that idea? It’s plain as day she is NOT OK WITH IT!

[notdarkyet]

86. Trump is going to this ship tomorrow. I hope they all have gotten the message from angry.

Outraged comments,and reports to their commander, and we will see no patches when he stops by.

My sister was a Marine and voted for trump. She got very angry at this and won’t vote for him again.

[Hortensis]

3. Apparently wearing unofficial patches is pretty common,

so we shouldn't make too much of this. We may not like it, but The Donald really is POTUS. This patch isn't new either.

Link to tweet

[rockfordfile]

5. Where did President Obama do this?

[Scarsdale]

7. Instant impeachment for any

Democratic president who would dare do this. Are these patches "Made in China"? Who had this brilliant idea? I wonder if Ivanka owns the patent on these vile patches?

[Hortensis]

10. :) My argument was for NOT over-reacting.

Look at those faces. They don't think expression of support for a visiting American president is vile.

Yes, we're all nervous about the leaps fascism is making through the Republicans. But if the patches were for a Democratic president, I'm guessing the reaction would be very different, or nonexistent.

One standard.

[Scarsdale]

11. To quote

"our esteemed president" BULL SHIT. No Democratic president was EVER so self aggrandizing, nor would they be. This ass is SICK. He needs a long rest, and therapy.

[Hortensis]

19. Oh, did HE do this? Call me when

the Joint Chiefs are wearing them.

[Raven123]

20. Support for POTUS ? IMO POTUS is suppose to support those in service.

We (as a former service member) salute the Commander in Chief. We did not carry his partisan political message. I don’t know but I hope you are wrong about how “we” would feel if the patches were partisan Democratic in nature.

[JHB]

22. There already IS one standard: It's inappropriate no matter who the president is.

[pnwmom]

23. They are supposed to support the OFFICE, not the particular incumbent. n/t

[pangaia]

27. Bullshit.

Look at those assholes ! These are the guys you will soon see with nazi/trump armbands beating Jews, blacks, middle easterners...

[Hortensis]

28. :) I understand all this. Don't OVER-react to every

daily outrage, is all. Maybe triage them a bit, allocate more to the biggest ones, like the leap in the actual numbers of kidnapped, imprisoned and disappeared children.

[procon]

40. WTF! This isn't just a simple matter

of a bunch of good ole boys getting together in idolizing the leader of their preferred political party. I am appalled that their officers not only allowed a breakdown in order and disapline, but also created two opposing factions that will impact the teamwork of the whole ship.

Once the ship's officers either turned a blind eye or offered their tacit support for the rank and file troops to break the law, the whole ship is compromised. Shame on the lot of them, but especially the line officers and their captain for ever allowing partisan politics to infect their ship.

I am left wondering where the loyalty of that crew and their officers would be if they were called upon to defend their country... or that President?

[rwsanders]

62. That is the culture in the military right now, Fox news is broadcast openly

the idea that the republicans are "military friendly" is said again and again with no hint of irony.
And officers are some of the worst offenders. I've seen them post pictures of themselves during some of Trumps photo ops with the military and it isn't the posting that is the bad part, there are folks that think of our politicians as some sort of celebrity, rather than our employee (to me royalist who want a king in policy and reality); but the worst part is the idiotic grins like schoolgirl at a Bieber concert look. It is really nauseating that they have so little respect for themselves, their service, and their unit.
I had to stop an officer at the same unit who was harassing a 3rd class petty officer because he was angry she was a liberal.

I tried over the years to promote the idea that the Coast Guard needs civil rights training for the rights of the public, not for themselves, but I doubt it will ever happen.

If you want more information and it is written much better than I can do check out some of this guys writings:
https://www.truthdig.com/author/dsjursen/

[procon]

65. Thanks!

It gives me nightmares to think that our military has lost sight of their splendid ideals and purpose of their oaths. How many times has we seen the respected officers in foreign militaries side with some peacock strutting, tinpot dictator and shove their own country over the brink into the arms of fascism ruled by a vainglorious tyrant?

[Haggis for Breakfast]

84. You nailed it, procon.

An air craft carrier is like a small floating city of 5000 or so. Discipline in the ranks is Rule #One. You NEVER break this rule. When you intentionally weaken even one link in the chain, you are sending a very powerful message.

And I'll tell you straight right now, anyone saying that criticism of this appalling lack of order is over-reacting, has NEVER served on a US NAVY ship, in peace time or combat.

[atreides1]

35. Of course they don't think it's vile!

The majority of them appear to be white!


After all, neo-Nazis don't believe it's vile to wear Nazi flag patches, either!!!

[tazkcmo]

39. I would raise hell.

Obama, FDR, JFK...I don't care.

[shraby]

42. No matter which president does it, Democratic or republican, it's wrong!

If they wear a patch at all, it should be a U.S. flag or an insignia of their unit.

[Sapient Donkey]

43. I agree with you on not overreacting over these patches

but I am not so sure about your statement of it being a non-issue if there were Obama patches. If that happened then it would be all over fox news and other right-wing outlets about the "obama zombies" or whatever it is they used to say. I remember them making a big deal over some kids in a classroom singing a song dedicated to Obama after he won.

We're not them, though, and I would prefer if we don't follow them down that path. That being said, if I was in charge that aircrew or any other group of people then I wouldn't want any of my people wearing anything that could be divisive and decrease effectiveness. That's whether it is Trump, Obama or anyone else. The whole keep politics out of the workplace should apply here. At the very least to keep stories like this from happening.

[Hortensis]

90. Oh, yes, Fox would present it as proof of a Democratic

liberal-socialist-commie-atheist plan for a military putsch. For the purpose of stoking fear and hostility among their idiots.

As you say, we're not them.

I agree about political patches, of course. From what I've read, decisions on allowing "morale patches" is left to company officers, and no doubt most of them do also. Certainly, they have to be very aware of all the issues. In this case, with a president visiting, I have no idea how disallowing the patches would go over, but I do know a large majority of the nation expects the president to be received respectfully and without anything that could be perceived as insult.

[MFM008]

18. Against military regulation.

NO politicking of any kind.
None. Zero. Zip.

[onetexan]

73. agree, disciplinary action is called for

[yuiyoshida]

41. If I am correct this is not apart of the Uniform of the Day ...

Hence illegal for them to wear it.

[Zoonart]

52. Who proposed the patches? Who paid for them?...

Who ordered the wearing of them?
Any dissenters? This is very scary stuff.

[yuiyoshida]

54. I don't think they can just have them made

someone as you said just did this, its NOT THE UNIFORM of the day...they would need to remove them unless the Captain or Admiral ordered it.

[Sgent]

89. Officer's can/do

allow for unit patches and other similar alterations to the base uniform.

The overt political message (campaign slogan) is the problem, not wearing an unofficial patch.

[flotsam]

44. The problem is not that they are wearing an "unofficial" patch

The problem is the patch is both political and partisan-in the military it is verboten to play that game.

[Ferrets are Cool]

81. "Don't make too much of this?"

IF, as another poster states, this is a violation of department policy, it should be ended NOW. FUCKING NOW.

[Achilleaze]

4. The republican Draft-Dodger-in-Chief is a fetish object

[TheBlackAdder]

15. They're probably made in Russia or China.

[Judi Lynn]

51. "Fetid object" would also work. n/t

[MontanaMama]

6. MF45 and company probably LOVE

that this is the crew of the WASP...white as white can be.

[underpants]

9. Yeah I was going to comment - the WASP?

How fitting.

[flotsam]

47. Uss Wasp CV18 and Her predecessor Uss Wasp CV7

Bore the brunt of the US naval aviation action in WW2. Any ship would be proud to have either of her namesakes record. CV7 was sunk by a submarine and CV18 was disabled by a japanese air attack in March 1945, returned to combat in July. CV18 served until decommissioned in 1972.

[Dorn]

8. The late great United States of America has jumped the shark

[rzemanfl]

32. I have to decide whether I need to wash socks. BBL. n/t

[watoos]

12. Everything is going according to plan, have faith.

[CaptYossarian]

13. Is this from a parody site?

The WASP was the name of Ted Knight's boat that was christened in the movie "Caddyshack".

[Duppers]

29. Easy to google.

It's a real ship.

[TheBlackAdder]

14. Trash day on the USS Wasp? It makes those airmen look like trashmen or they should be thrown out.

[Raven123]

16. Agree 100%. I do take it seriously

It has been a while, but when I was in service, NO unofficial modifications to the uniform were allowed. These are members of the Air Force, Navy, Marines, or Navy of the USA NOT POTUS.

As for the commenter who suggests we shouldn’t take it seriously, i couldn’t disagree more. Time to find out who authorized political adornments to the uniforms purchased with my taxes.

[Vinca]

17. What irks me is the blind loyalty. Do these people read??????????????

Trump is no friend of theirs. He just axed 200,000 applications for VA medical care. He would send them into a war after a spontaneous hissy fit with no planning and no real reason. They're suckers. Mindless suckers. And it pains me to say that about our military.

[HopeAgain]

21. Huh! All white boys...

Coincidence?

[dalton99a]

24. Navy guidance:

Defense Department regulations prohibit the military from endorsing or appearing to endorse any "political candidate, campaign, or cause." Display of the large flag was also unauthorized under Navy regulations governing display of flags and pennants, Maxwell has said.

In March 2016, ahead of the presidential election, the Navy published guidance reminding troops of existing regulations governing political activity.

"Any activity that may be reasonably viewed as directly or indirectly associating with the DoD, or any component or personnel of the department, with a partisan political activity or is otherwise contrary to the spirit and intention of this policy guidance will be avoided," the guidance stated.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/03/01/seals-punished-flying-trump-flag-highway.html

[pintobean]

71. He's their commander in chief.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

80. It doesn't matter WHO is CinC.

This is in direct violation of the UCMJ. We who wear/wore the uniform are NOT fucking photo props. It is never appropriate to politicize the military.

During federal elections, we were NEVER allowed to wear any party affiliation on our uniforms.

This is wrong on every level.

[djacq]

26. Article 106a of the UCMJ (revamped version)

[link:https://www.bileckilawgroup.com/court-martial-defense/articles-of-the-ucmj/article-106a-unauthorized-insignia|

The responsibility and accountability falls on the Captain of the USS Wasp.

[Dan]

76. Yes, suspect that there will be a change in command

[Throckmorton]

31. The warrior class is choosing his side

Be afraid, be very afraid.

[TheCowsCameHome]

33. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Pimping the Trump brand.

[Honeycombe8]

36. This is an example of how duped Trumpers are. They know not what they do.

They don't even realize the gravity of what they do.

[lunasun]

38. Please

[forgotmylogin]

37. That's not Trump tho...

The likeness is too young and skinny and square-jawed.

[Crabby Appleton]

45. It's Troy Donahoue

The bastage

[area51]

67. +1

Way too skinny to be Trump; why is it that his followers can't draw him properly and have to idealize him?

[inwiththenew]

46. Just like the Navy SEALs from a couple years ago with Trump flag

I guess no one learned a lesson from that.

[Baclava]

48. They were given reprimands of some kind

SEALs Punished for Flying Trump Flag on Highway

?itok=-urcOHTq

"Any activity that may be reasonably viewed as directly or indirectly associating with the DoD, or any component or personnel of the department, with a partisan political activity or is otherwise contrary to the spirit and intention of this policy guidance will be avoided," the guidance stated.

"It has been determined that those service members have violated the spirit and intent of applicable [Defense Department] regulations concerning the flying of flags and the apparent endorsement of political activities. Administrative corrective measures were taken with each individual based on their respective responsibility."

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/03/01/seals-punished-flying-trump-flag-highway.html

[Jake Stern]

49. It's not simply about a patch. It's the message the photos of the patch wearers send.

Last edited Tue May 28, 2019, 07:31 PM - Edit history (1)

Just take in that photo for a few moments. Not a damn one of them shows any reluctance. They're all beaming like they got laid for the first time.

It makes me wonder if the military would remain neutral if Trump loses in 2020 and claims fraud.

[TheRealNorth]

55. There are definitely some that are down with Trump's program

The question I have is how many of those who are not would be willing to stand up against it.

[Grasswire2]

50. (at least they aren't flashing the white power hand sign)

I find this story outrageous.

Need to know where these patches came from. Who is sourcing them?

[Ferrets are Cool]

83. May as well have been. nt

[trev]

56. When I was in the Army in the 1990s

we were forbidden to wear anything on our uniforms outside of the mandated patches and awards. These airmen's behavior is disgusting and a violation of the military code.

[Corgigal]

75. When I was in the Air Force in the 1990s,

I couldn't attend any political meeting in my office blues, or fatigue greens. Could not wear the uniform at all.

I would have been written up so fast my head would spin.

[msongs]

58. one supposes patches are more convenient that white hoods nt

[Pepsidog]

59. Lemmings

[Pepsidog]

60. Trump would expose them to danger and death and could care less. Didn't the military learn that

Republicans could give a shit about them. The military buys into the Dems are weak bullshit meanwhile they are used as pawns by Republicans who dint give a shit about them. Bush and Rumsfeld sent them to war without adequate armor so that they came home in body bags or missing limbs. Fucken idiots.

[Gothmog]

61. These patches are wrong and these crewmen should be sanctioned

[Haggis for Breakfast]

82. It's the Captain of the boat who should be sanctioned.

Everything that happens in on "his watch."

[LiberalLovinLug]

63. America is sitting in a slowly warming caldrum

"Little" things like this, while Trump and Mitch are chipping away at other institutions all add up.

This normalization is already well under way. Every day that goes by without impeachment starting is even more entrenched normalization. Nancy and others somehow think they are operating in a 1980's reality, and that its not already a different world. Waiting for the 'right' time, as more and more pro-facist judges get appointed, and more civil rights reduced, might mean that the 'right' time never arrives. Its seeming more and more to be resembling that autocratic world that Pink Floyd was imagining on their Wall albums.

[Progressive dog]

64. They are spitting on what the USA stands for

while smirking for the cameras.

[Skittles]

66. so they loves them some draft-dodging chicken hawk???

WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?!??!

[RainCaster]

69. These morans worship Cadet BoneSpurs?

They are an embarrassment to all who served our country.

[Blue Owl]

70. The Junior Underachievement Patch

n/t

[bluescribbler]

72. Richard Nixon was my Commander in Chief.

I never saw anyone wearing an patch depicting Nixon's image on his uniform. There were many shipmates who supported him, but they knew better than that.

[SunSeeker]

74. They might as well be wearing a swastika---same message. nt

[zentrum]

78. The Repugs and all MAGAS

.....are in fact and in intent building the conditions for a Trump dictatorship.

[magicarpet]

79. Shouldn't they be wearing brown shirts,...

.... and have a swastika patch on their left shoulder too ?

[TomSlick]

85. Stars and Stripes article link follows:

[link:https://www.stripes.com/navy-looking-into-make-aircrew-great-again-patches-sailors-wore-during-trump-visit-1.583498|

This seems a rather clear violation to me - by the crew members if they did not have command approval for the "morale patch" and by the commander if they did have approval.

[octoberlib]

91. Thanks for this!

[Hulk]

87. Nothing will happen

These ignorant butt holes are exactly why I don't parrot that empty phrase, "thank you for your service." Inevitably I'm thanking some clown that doesn't deserve it..like miss graham and his jag service. BFD

[MasonDreams]

88. I wanted to finish this life w/o worrying about Nazis.