Well, there are some folks on this forum who have and will defend my RIGHT as an American Citizen to state my opinion.
Please stop with the attacks. What does being the mother of a child at West Point have to do with the price of tea in China?
Yep, if appropriate. This is where the Chain of Command will come it. I am sure you are familiar with this concept, LITS? Perhaps you intend to play the "big brother" role in this, but when you post in public a request to have his name pm'd to you it appears like it's a thinly veiled threat to all future cadets and that you have decided he is not worthy to be a part of your Coast Guard. Whatever. Just next time keep it in pm's. IMO.
Not really. People do dumb things. Years ago - when you were just a tyke and Al Gore had just invented the internet, folks had an excuse for stupidity.
Not just in the military but in the business world - not using the internet smartly has ruined a few careers.
Honestly, by now a 21 year old has no excuse. These kids have grown up with the internet culture and anyone who has used it as extensively as any SA Cadet surely must have some common sense by now. They just do dumb things.
Your opinion has been noted, and your idea of "Chain of Command" is noted, however incorrect in some ways, on a few levels with regard to this....so I will make an attempt change that.
When something less than impressive happens at a unit and it is caught by someone in a Headquarters command (like mine), generally the Area command will be alerted and this will work it's way to a District command....and on.
Now, what you probably don't know, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy is a Headquarters unit, so, while it falls in the geographic location of "LANTAREA" and "District 1", it falls under the command of CGHQ. I'm hoping your concept of "Chain of Command" doesn't involved "Admiral A calls Admiral B", but I'm interested in exactly how you think this "use the chain of command" would happen. Yes, the member would forward the cadet's name to me, in a PM, as requested. After that, an official I know at the Coast Guard Academy would be notified, and would proceed with what ever action they think is appropriate. I have no interest in contacting a Company Officer directly, having a cadet get on the phone, and "correct" them, because, yes that would be inappropriate. They have a Commandant of Cadets to direct that.
Unfortunately, I think you missed some points. Yes, the fact that I did this "publicly" does serve to show current cadets and future cadets that "big brother" as you would like to say, is watching. We found this out when I was a cadet, and I have a feeling cadets will be reminded of that in the future as well. Do I want the cadet to be "kicked out"? Are you serious? Misbehavior needs to be corrected JAM, and that means, when a cadet does something wrong, it is brought to the attention of the faculty who are charged with directing them. It's not about "wanting them in my Coast Guard." It's about righting a wrong.
MASTs are generally PUBLIC, in fact, on an operational unit, new members are sometimes required to attend. First, it shows them the system, accountability, and justice for all, but it also serves as a warning "don't break the rules or you will be held accountable."
There is no excuse for stupidity, however mistakes are understandable. I hope you understand, if "stupidity" goes uncorrected, it will only get worse.
I'm fairly certain you knew most of this JAM, but it needed to be said anyway. Just because people don't agree with you, doesn't mean it's an attack, anymore than when you fire some shots over their bow.