Political Protocol vs Military Protocol
Republican state representative Tony Shipley of Kingsport is a veteran. This is clear as he proudly announces it at every public function possible and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Every person who serves in the United States military should be proud of the fact that he/she served our nation. However, it is also appropriate not to disrespect it in any aspect. When someone does disrespect a military guideline, as one of my friends in active duty told me, “they should be criticized to the fullest.”
In casual conversation with a friend of mine, who is a veteran of the United States Army, the topic of how to properly display military medals came up. The reason it came up was because my veteran friend attended the recent 4th of July parade in Kingsport, TN and noticed that Republican Rep. Tony Shipley was wearing his Bronze star on a standard fatigue jacket. It really seemed to bother my friend, so I decided to research into the matter a little more. Several of my friends currently serve in the military or have served, so I started calling around to find out the facts on how to display medals. What I found out was disturbing. Although I could not find any pictures of Rep. Shipley from this particular parade, I did find a couple proudly displayed on his website. In these pictures, according to several soldiers, Rep. Shipley is out of line in many ways.
According to AR-670-1, the United States Military’s handbook on wear and appearance of uniforms and insignia, Rep. Shipley is out of dress. First off is the wearing of the medal. A medal awarded from combat is only to be worn on military dress uniforms. The reasoning behind this is because this is what a soldier is wearing at the time in which the medal is awarded. In the picture attached to this article, it is clear that his medal is attached to a standard United States Military fatigue jacket. Also attached to the jacket are his service ribbons which show where he has served during his tenure. These as well should also be worn only on his military dress uniform. Both of these actions, according to my friends in the military and AR-670-1, are not allowed.
After researching all of this, I wondered why Rep. Shipley would go out of his way to violate military dress code especially when he himself touts to be so proud of his service. Then it hit me. Rep. Shipley is using his military service to attract voters. I have no problem with this since a lot of politicians do it, but is it worth it to violate the way that you display your medal? Even when John Wayne filmed the classic film The Green Berets, he had enough respect for the military not to put his name on an actual uniform portraying a soldier. My advice to Republican State Rep. Shipley is to stop with the disrespect. Too many men and women have died fighting for the freedom of our great nation and for you to disrespect a medal awarded to you for your actions in the military is truly sad.
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If we are attempting to criticize another, perhaps we should use a professional writing style and make sure our artical is free of gramatical errors.
Or if we’re going to criticize Rep. Shipley, perhaps we can do it based on the merits (or demerits) of his political career and choices, not based on the frivolity of how he wears his service medal. This post only makes us look bitter. An issues based fight is the only way we as a party are ever going to make headway and be taken seriously in East Tennessee.
Frankly I’m ashamed this piece was even written, much less published. Though I’m by no means a fan or supporter of Tony Shipley, the man did serve our country, and we owe him more than some half-hearted attack on his patriotism and service.
I can’t understand why anyone would publish such trash… Is this article supposed to be taken seriously, or was it an attempt at satire?
This is the type of tactic kids use in High School to win Student Body elections..
I think the owners of this website owe Mr. Shipley an apology.
Then again, maybe he should be thanking them. Whoever wrote this article is making it awfully easy for him to win re-election.
Why is it we hold some people to a different standard? Personally I could care less where Tony Shipley wears his medals; after all, he earned them serving our country. But, the bottom line is the military does care and in 670-1 it defines how retired military are to wear their medals. It is there, not an easy read, but it is there. And, I also talked to an older veteran who adamantly stated that wearing your bronze star in the way Shipley wears it is disrespectful.
We watched in 2004 as they “swift-boated” John Kerry. We watched in 2008 as Shipley and gang attacked Nathan Vaughn’s moral substance. And, in 2008 when it came out that the Republican candidate Mike Faulk (who won) had an affair with Republican Chairwoman, Kelli Walker, Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey referred to it as “a bump in the road”.
So, Jordan puts together a fact based article that questions the judgment of the elected Representative who claims moral superiority in a political party that centers their campaigns on moral superiority and the whole world comes running to their rescue.
I have a whole lot more respect for the veteran that told me Shipley showed disrespect to the medal and the military by wearing his medals inappropriately, then I do for Mr. Shipley who has repeatedly shown historically that he holds himself above most others. (I refer to the lobbyist story where Shipley coldly verbally attacked gays). Based on how he ran his campaign in 2008, I guarantee he will prove my point again in 2010.
Please. You’re trying to make a moral issue out of this? That is beyond preposterous.
It is beyond sad that it has come to this in politics. When someone is unable to find legitimate concerns with an elected official, they publish smear articles such as this one.
As progressives, I thought we held ourselves to a higher standard. Instead, your argument is “Since they (the Republicans) do it, we will do.”
I’ve lost a lot of respect for this site, and am disappointed the vice chair of the Washington County party had no more common sense than to write this.
Every day it seems I learn a little more about politics and the dirty behind the scenes acts that take place to destroy people’s character. That is not unusual in today’s political climate and sometimes actually required in some cases. I am not just shocked at an editorial I read today, I am disgusted. I have good friends who are liberals and for the most part we exchange our opinions as respectful as we can. That does not mean either of us agree on core issues but we do keep it somewhat civil. Until today I considered Jordan Huffman a friend and although we disagree on almost all political issues we have never argued. I find it very difficult for that to continue now. I also consider State Representative Tony Shipley a good friend as well. For some reason Jordan has decided that it would be beneficial to blatantly attack Tony’s decision to display his military awards. Jordan submitted a blog to openpen.org discussing how inappropriate it was for Representative Shipley to do such a thing. Let’s get something straight, this is out of line on so many levels! Of course references were made AR 670-1 in which Jordan attempted to show that Tony was not in accordance with an Army regulation. Ironic that he was in the Air Force. On Jordan’s behalf I will say that the same protocol would follow for either branch in regards to active and reserve members wearing uniforms. Another irony that should be noted is that Representative Shipley is no longer in the service. He was awarded the Bronze Star for actions as a Military Intelligence officer during Operation Desert Storm and all Jordan can do is criticize? Has it come to this? Are these the straws that liberals are grabbing for now? He was also injured during that deployment but you never hear him complain about. As far as the photo that was displayed in Jordan’s blog it was taken before Tony was a State Representative while he was at a patriotic event with an elderly veteran in a wheelchair. Those facts were somehow left out in an effort to manipulate the truth. I will add links to the end of this note so you can see for yourself that representative Shipley was indeed correct in wearing his medals. For the record Jordan, I think you are in over your head. If you want to play with the big boys then you better do a little more homework than what your Democratic partners who advise you are doing. If this is some sick twisted attempt to help former Representative Nathan Vaughn out then maybe you should concentrate on Shipley’s voting record and what he has done for the people of Sullivan County rather than downplaying his military service. I don’t expect you to understand the pride that veterans have for their service and why or why not they display their medals, but I do expect you to get your facts straight before you try to tarnish someone’s reputation. Rather than spreading a bunch of liberal propaganda we would prefer you just said thank you! So how bout I see a list of those veterans you are friends with that are so appalled by his display of medals? Is that asking too much? If I see a veteran with a medal on his clothing I generally shake his hand and say thank you for your service. That’s a lesson you should learn, but maybe it’s hard to do that and march in anti war demonstrations at the same time. I don’t want to hear the usual “I support the troops. But not the war” BS. Save it, you really can’t do both regardless of what you’ve been told. Another flaw in your article was the part that said medals had to be worn on dress uniforms because those are the uniforms worn when they are presented. Wrong! Sorry but we don’t wear dress uniforms in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is true that if you are currently serving then they are to be worn on the dress inform, but it is not always true that you are in that uniform when they are presented. I’ll close with this advice. Go visit a Memorial Day or Veterans Day ceremony sometime, go spend a day at the VA, or walk into a bar full of Rolling Thunder members and plead your case to all those heroes as you stare in awe at their medals. Tell them they are only doing it for political gain! I think you are the one who has made the mistake of bringing politics into this one.
http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/133401p.pdf
http://www.military.com/benefits/resources/wearing-medals-awards-and-decorations
http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/army/ar670-1.pdf
http://usmilitary.about.com/b/2008/06/29/show-your-pride-wear-your-medals-on-july-4.htm
Kevin Flanary (Desert Storm and Afghanistan Combat Veteran)
This is so offensive on so many levels. I can’t believe a county party official wrote this. Robin Smith was criticized for her smear tactics against Obama (and rightly so). So should this trash not be tolerated or allowed. Shame on you Mr. Huffman. We should promote an image of total and unconditional military support. Which means not creating a mountain out of a molehill over one man’s medal snafu.
I am not surprised at the “whining and vile” responses to this article, but I am surprised at the disingenuous motives made in these attacks. I talked to several veterans and they all said the same thing, “the wearing of metals in the manner depicted in this article are disrespectful”. Simple military fact.
I don’ remember hearing this level of outrage come from this area when pure lies were used against John Kerry or Max Cleland? Neither do I remember this level of outrage when pure racism was used in campaigns against Harold Ford, Jr., Barack Obama or Nathan Vaughn. What a bunch of hypocrites!
The point in this article is relevant because of the false claims made by Republicans and conservatives on issues related to partriotism and morality, simply to “whore” moral issues in a unholy manner to win votes! It is funny that whatever serves a Republican’s purpose is fair game until they show us they are disingenuous in living with the same standards they set for everyone else.
I don’t think an argument is being made or claimed on the basis that since they do this, we should do it. I realized, many years ago, when the Republican’s and conservatives started using personal attacks for political gain, they would soon find themselves victim on this slippery slope, they created and mastered but were unable to live themselves, and it has now come to pass.
I guess when it worked for them, it was wonderful, now that is has exposed the lies and hypocrisy of their leadership and political beliefs, it not such a wonderful tactic anymore. What a bunch of hypocrites!
One thing stated in the responses to this article is correct, there is a dirty behind the scenes underworld of politics in Northeast Tennessee, a concept the Republicans and conservatives have mastered and used to smear many a good men! I guess these are the cases many and Kevin deem as required and appropriate?
Maybe things in Northeast Tennessee are changing? Maybe the days of backwoods Republican mentality and tactics of politics as usual, based on lies, racism and treachery going unanswered are over? Maybe good people are sick and tired of the double-standard and hypocrisy?
I find these disingenuous condemnations and harsh judgements of Jordan disqusting, but I recognize the right of those to voice dissention. It is sad that these people don’t feel Jordan should have those same rights! What happened to honest observation and the freedom of speech? It is sad how some people whom wrap themselves in our beloved flag, have no problem trampling on everything it stands for.
Well that certainly went completely off topic to say the least. All I heard was alot of racist, racism, hypocrites, and hypocrisy.Now I’m not sure where all that came from but it is obviously the card that liberals can’t go one conversation without bringing up.No one ever said anything about race and how are Republicans hypocrytical on this issue unless we are out criticizing veterans and their service to our country.After reviewing all this bitterness about race maybe it is you Mike who has some issues you need to deal with.It’s appalling that you even brought that up. Almost disgusting as Jordan’s smearing of a combat veteran.I am all for constructive dialogue on any issue but if you can’t stay on topic then I don’t see the point really.I read the other comments on here and for the most part they seemed to be from Democrats who were frustrated with Jordans comments because they dont want their party to be stereotyped as non supportive of the military. Thanks makes sense and I can respect that.What I do not respect is someone bringing race into a dialogue about war medals. Is that all you have for your defense of Jordan’s comments? Come on, you can do better than that.You are entitled to your opinion and that’s what’s great about this country. Another great thing is we can discuss these issues in an open forum.How bout we stay on topic? Or we could talk about race if you wish (because it sems to be your only agenda) and we will discuss the history of slavery and we will discuss Democrat and Republican stances.Hmm, dont think you wanna go there.As far as this comment “It is sad how some people whom wrap themselves in our beloved flag, have no problem trampling on everything it stands for”, all I can say is if defending a fellow veterans record is trampling everything our flag stands for then I must be wrong. I think not. Now if and when you respond try to make some educated comments about the medals issue because that’s how this started.If you have to discuss race then I say start another discussion on that and I will gladly discuss it.Kind of ironic that you brought up the names of some of the exact candidates that Jordan has campaigned for and since you and him are friends on Facebook, I guess you are trying to work together to get out of this possible costly political blunder. That’s fine though because that’s what friends are for.
I must say that I am dissapointed in the people who commented harshly on this. I myself am a veteran of the Air Force and served my country in Vietnam. Along with Mr. Shipley, I recieved a Bronze Star for my bravery in action. Also going along with Mr. Shipley, I am a Republican. I must say that Mr. Huffman is right on this topic though. There is a big difference in wearing a medal out of uniform and then wearing a medal to get people to vote for you. I honestly wish I lived in Mr. Shipley’s district and not in West Tennessee so I could have the privilage of voting against him. I don’t give a damn if you are a Republican or Democrat, I’ve got a problem with you if politics trumps something you should be very proud of.
I must say that I have really enjoyed Kevin Flanary’s jumping all over the place on this issue and deflecting his attacks onto “the liberals”. Mr. Flanary, would you please stop seeing everything in terms of “LIBERAL BAD! CONSERVATIVE GOOD!”, it’s worse than the mentality of the Incredible Hulk once you’ve made him angry.
The fact of the matter is that Tony Shipley is in clear violation of military protocol when wearing his medals and it seriously brings into question whether he is displaying his medal just to win some sort of patriotic sympathy vote. Any soldier that I have encountered let their medals and service speak for themselves. They don’t openly display their medals unless they are in the proper uniform (per regulations) and they don’t use it to get people to “respect” them or worse yet, vote for them. Mr. Huffman’s article addresses a clear hypocrisy of the Republican party – who enjoy using our soldiers and their service when it fits their needs but are all too eager to slam and denigrate other soldiers that don’t fit their agenda. Mr. Shipley should be commended for his service to this country, but he should be rightly chastised for his shameless promotion of his medals when most soldiers from all wars and conflicts are appalled by such behavior.
What would Mr. Flanary have done if John Kerry came walking out onto the stage in 2004 with his medals pinned to his suit jacket? I’m sure we already know the answer, but it’s an interesting question to ponder given his attitude in his posts. As for his contention that you “cannot support the troops, but not support the war” – tell that to the numerous troops who are over there serving this country but definitely have reservations or don’t support the war. They serve the country when called and do their job admirably.Don’t pretend they don’t exist, Mr. Flannary. This country was led into a war that was illegal, immoral, and just plain wrong on many levels. It’s not their fault that they were tasked with that mission and they should be honored for serving their country – even though the mission was one that they never should have been put in in the first place. I defy you, Mr. Flannary to tell me that my support of the troops is illogical. We will fund them and make sure they have the equipment and support that they need to accomplish their mission until they are able to come home.
Mr. Flanary obviously lacks any sort of perspective on the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries with regards to political parties and affiliation. The Democratic Party reformed itself from it’s horrible racist past and became a champion of all people and all races. On the other hand, the Republican party switched their positions on racial issues and became the party that represents only one thing – money and special interests, leaving people of all races and creeds behind. We can debate this all day if you want – and I’m sure you wouldn’t like to go there either if you are able to do a critical assessment of your own party.
Kevin’s lack of intelligence is clearly noted by his partisan self indulgence and vindictive attacks on other’s views. Why is it that partisan hacks, armed with their misinformed ignornace, resort to personal attacks in attempts to deflect from clear facts?
I have read AR-670-1 and talked to friends (veterans) who proudly served in the Vietnam and Iraq wars… and they all said the same thing. “This is not a political issue, they reminded me that men and women (both Democrats and Republicans) served out nation proudly. It is clearly and simply disrespectful to wear metals in the manner depicted in the photo.”
Jordon… if this guy is/was your friend, U sure as hell dont need any enemies!
Excuse the typo “ignorance”
Shipley is not subject to AR-670-1 for two reasons. First when he served he was a member of the United States Air Force so Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel applies. AR-670-1 is a ARMY manual. Second, both of those regulations appliy and are ENFORCED to Active Duty and Reservist still under service obligation. Shipley is no longer under any service obligation and as a veterans or retiree he is not subject to how he displays any award he earned. I am a 21 year veteran/retiree and no one on here seems to have their “facts” correct.