Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

Exactly my thoughts...

Question for those with real military experience:

Assuming that the ROTC cadets were required to attend - whether by direct order or by the threat "negative counseling" -

Is this uniform violation?

How about using the uniform to advance a political cause?

Not that a cadet would ever broach these issues with his XO - too much of a power differential.
 
Exactly my thoughts...

Question for those with real military experience:

Assuming that the ROTC cadets were required to attend - whether by direct order or by the threat "negative counseling" -

Is this uniform violation?

How about using the uniform to advance a political cause?

Not that a cadet would ever broach these issues with his XO - too much of a power differential.

The regs are the regs. All the way up to the lowly E-1 to the CNO. Granted, flag officers probably have a lot of leeway (I've seen a picture somewhere of a past CNO with no undershirt during an interview for example), but an O-5 commanding his unit to break it in advance of a political agenda? I don't know if the guy is retired, reserves, or active if he's leading these cadets, but his superior should say something along the lines of,"What the **** man, you don't put your troops in ****ing high heels AND force them to make a political statement in them."

Really unprofessional on the whole.
 
I've noticed that no one complains at all when ROTC units compete in memorial marches wearing ACU pants and motivational t-shirts, or run in the Race for the Cure wearing PTs and "Save the Tatas" t-shirts. How is this any different? As platypus1618 points out, this is not a political issue, it's more of a reinforcement of the Army stance against SHARP issues and domestic violence.

I've heard many argue that it's discriminatory since men are also victims of domestic violence and abuse - of course they can be, but no one can deny that women are by far the majority of victims. And, support of women victims in no way implies a lack of support for male victims.

At least at my DS's school (who did not do the WAMIHS for what it's worth) ROTC cadets are highly encouraged to participate in campus events and be good ambassadors for the ROTC program - this checks both boxes. It seems to me like a lot of furor over nothing.

Edit: cross-posted with i_sk8_shipm8 - this was not a result of one "Bn Cdr good idea fairy". It was an initiative highly encouraged at the highest levels of cadet command - i.e. BG Combs.
 
Showing support for sexual assault victims is not political. It's just like showing support for soldiers with PTSD or victims of domestic violence or terrorism.


For those that would argue that this was not a political event - from the banner page of the Walk in Her Shoes website:

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Events are political and performance art with public, personal and existential messages. At a Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Event there is no distinction between performer and audience. Our mission is to create a unique and powerful public experience that educates individuals and communities about the causes of men's sexualized violence against women, provides them with prevention and remediation strategies and empowers them to further develop and implement this knowledge and skills interpersonally and politically.
 
DS "marched" with his class and cadre in a WAMIHS earlier this fall. The shoes were donated, the event a highlight of Dad's weekend...photographed in campus and local papers. There was no negative press or push back from cadets. They also break uniform regs for t-shirts when they march/walk/run in supporting autism, pedi cancers, breast cancer, alzheimers and many others during his 4 years. I am very proud that my DS and his unit show support for many causes. JMHO.....
 
Support causes in your own clothing, not in a uniform or part of a uniform. I'm all for supporting causes.... but not in uniform.
 
For those that would argue that this was not a political event - from the banner page of the Walk in Her Shoes website:

.
Probably should steer clear of this one, but can't resist...
First off...if you get your news from Newsmax then this is obviously going to make you lose sleep and suspect a communist conspiracy...

I went to the http://www.walkamileinhershoes.org/ and couldn't find the word political or politics anywhere. I think sexual assault awareness is anything but a political issue.

I have seen this event executed at a few schools this month. A number of the schools had the Cadets in civilian clothes, which would have been my plan if I was a PMS. Having the Cadets in uniform obviously created the opportunity for controversy.

This is an important cause, and I'm proud of the efforts across Cadet Command, and especially here at Clarkson to increase awareness regarding this issue. Every time there is an incident of sexual assault or harassment in our ranks it brings far more discredit to the organization then any poorly planned awareness effort.
 
Probably should steer clear of this one, but can't resist...
First off...if you get your news from Newsmax then this is obviously going to make you lose sleep and suspect a communist conspiracy...

I went to the http://www.walkamileinhershoes.org/ and couldn't find the word political or politics anywhere. I think sexual assault awareness is anything but a political issue.

I have seen this event executed at a few schools this month. A number of the schools had the Cadets in civilian clothes, which would have been my plan if I was a PMS. Having the Cadets in uniform obviously created the opportunity for controversy.

This is an important cause, and I'm proud of the efforts across Cadet Command, and especially here at Clarkson to increase awareness regarding this issue. Every time there is an incident of sexual assault or harassment in our ranks it brings far more discredit to the organization then any poorly planned awareness effort.

The organization the runs it promotes peace, non-violence, etc....
 
And we haven't even begun to discuss officially sponsored mandatory events in support of something like this.... at the end of the day, you can't force someone to support a cause. You can provide an opportunity, in a neutral setting which can be opted into or out of.... but you can't force "the troops" to participate.

This is in large part why CFC is pushed so hard....
 
Probably should steer clear of this one, but can't resist...
First off...if you get your news from Newsmax then this is obviously going to make you lose sleep and suspect a communist conspiracy...[

I went to the http://www.walkamileinhershoes.org/ and couldn't find the word political or politics anywhere. I think sexual assault awareness is anything but a political issue.

Since you are quoting me in your reply...I'll try to be as charitable as possible to your reading capabilities.

First of all, nowhere did I quote Newsmax as a source. You probably have me confused with the OP. But please tell us, did this event happen or not?

Secondly, I went to the link you so helpfully provided - the quote I used for illustration is the third paragraph from the bottom under "Standing Up to Sexualized Violence" Once again the banner page of Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.
 
DS "marched" with his class and cadre in a WAMIHS earlier this fall. The shoes were donated, the event a highlight of Dad's weekend...photographed in campus and local papers. There was no negative press or push back from cadets. They also break uniform regs for t-shirts when they march/walk/run in supporting autism, pedi cancers, breast cancer, alzheimers and many others during his 4 years. I am very proud that my DS and his unit show support for many causes. JMHO.....


Lines are drawn all the time.

I am all for cadets being good and responsible citizens, and that includes their (somewhat) non-coerced participation in events that can reasonably be seen as apolitical. I would also add that all such events should not bring disrespect to the uniform or humiliate the cadets. I also realize that all I’ve said so far is “in the eye of the beholder.”


FOR EXAMPLE
I have just waved my magic wand and made myself XO of the Notre Dame AROTC. My first order of business is to compel my entire cadre to participate in a march that portends to support The Marine Toys for Tots Campaign.

Now this campaign is one of the many that the “Brony Thank You Fund” exists to promote… really, look it up. Is it surprising for me to expect that the cadre might be a little humiliated dressing up as the My Little Pony character, Twilight Sparkle, while prancing down the street?


I just think the whole issue was an embarrassment that didn’t need to happen.
 
First off...if you get your news from Newsmax then this is obviously going to make you lose sleep and suspect a communist conspiracy...

Clarkson, you are always my go to voice of reason.

I think my favorite line in the Newsmax story was:

"A Reddit discussion thread confirmed that the cadet's claims were true, when someone asked, "Okay, who put the cadets up to this?"

Don't know about you guys and gals, but I always go to Reddit to confirm stories and sources.
 
Since you are quoting me in your reply...I'll try to be as charitable as possible to your reading capabilities.

Sean007 - I can't tell from your posting history if you are a WP cadet or a parent - you seem to claim both at different times, but you should check your attitude. Your comment above was uncalled for, and not an appropriate way to address any ROTC cadre member, let alone one as helpful and committed to this community as Clarkson.
 
The organization the runs it promotes peace, non-violence, etc....

Sean and LITS, this is classic "whose ox is gored".

Am curious if you'd be as outraged about an ROTC battalion doing color guard for 2nd amendment lovefest featuring a certain former governor who didn't finish out his/her term. Yes it happened. I think that former governor is a clown, but I really don't care that they participated.

I'm with you. I'd vote for zero political or religious overtones to any public military displays, but good luck with that.
 
Don't know about you guys and gals, but I always go to Reddit to confirm stories and sources.

You would be amazed at what the NYT or WaPo use to "confirm" stories.... or the every available (and highly suspicious) "[Pick any news agency] is reporting......" ah yes, reporting someone else is reporting so you don't need to immediate confirm before reporting.
 
And this is from the "Walk in her Shoes" website....

"Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® Events are political and performance art with public, personal and existential messages."
 
And this is from the "Walk in her Shoes" website....

"Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® Events are political and performance art with public, personal and existential messages."

If you didn't understand the reference in my post, I think Gov. Palin qualifies as both political and performance art.
 
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