What I did vs. what I wanted to do.

[Erisianmonkey]

Today as I was getting on the train to head home, I passed a boy who spouted "Hey ! You a guy or a girl?" Those of you who have met me or seen my pics know that I have an unmistakable big red bush of a beard. I ignored it with dignity and continued boarding the train.

What I really wanted to do was turn around and confront the boy. Here's why:
He was in a JROTC uniform- almost. He had no tie even though he was wearing a service coat. His shirt was untucked and peeking out from under the jacket. He was wearing sneakers. (Class A's and sneakers! AAAAARRRGHHH!) His cap was down over his eyes. Even the collar insignia on his uniform were improperly placed. Everything about this young man from his trying to insult strangers on the street to the absolute disrespect he was showing to his country by disgracing the uniform (Then again, shouting out insults to strangers on the street is a disrespect of the uniform in and of itself!) just screamed for the kind of pruning that Robert Heinlein often said our species needs. I should have demanded his unit and reported him to his CO.

The insult to me I can let slide easily. The insult to servicemen and my country has me burning still, over six hours afterwards.

[Dreadbelly]

Just let it go man. Karma is circular. One day, the boomerang will come full circle and this will take care of it self.

[johnnym]

Thanks for the moral support. Our troops in proper uniform deserve better. I am retired USAF. Who knows what a confrontation would have started. Personally, I have not been put in your position, but I'm glad no one was physically hurt. He might have gotten the clothes from Goodwill.

[Fearnest]

Ah, and so many JROTC "cadets" look as though they've shopped at Goodwill anyway. A lot of it seems to have to do with their senior instructor (discipline and instruction on the proper wear of the uniform) and their school district (amount of $ they're willing to spend to purchase all the needed uniform parts).

The worst uniformed I've seen have been Army and Air Force affiliated JROTCs, the sea services seem to do better (perhaps because there are less of them?).

The truly sad part comes when you consider the mission of JROTC (regardless of service affiliation) - to teach young people to be better citizens. It doesn't sound like this young man's instructors are succeeding as much as we would hope!

[IEScotsman]

Gotta agree with you. You should have done what you wanted. He deserves a good measure of discipline.

[Dreadbelly]

And to what end? Violence?

Anything gained through violence is at best, temporary. Better to have honest respect of you as a person than fear. There is a difference. I know. I've learned the hard way.

As for words, do you really think some apathetic little snot nosed punk is really going to care what anybody says?

Quiet reserved dignity is becoming rarer and rarer in this world. The right thing was done here. True power means not having to respond.

[ccga3359]

Dread, he does respect his own uniform and what it represents. He should have been reported. As for violence I would think Erisianmonkey's mere presence would deter that. Geneva Convention - name, rank & serial number, then let his CO deal with him.

[Dreadbelly]

A gentle answer turns away wrath.

[Fearnest]

Just a quick clarification/reminder!

JROTC students are high school students taking a high school class that requires them to wear a uniform. They're NOT a part of the military in any real way, shape, or form.

They're not subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice - only to the rules and regulations of their school district/corporation.

So it may do some good to report them to their senior military instructor (as close as they'll come to having a "CO"), but it would probably be more effective to report them to the vice principal. (An exception would be for USMCJROTC - then just turn them over to the gunny. But this probably wouldn't have been an issue in the first place.)

OK, I'm now going to retrograde from this thread permanently.

[Kilted KT]

while I may have been tempted to tongue lash the kid, I'd have to agree with Dread. Karma is an mistress that need not be tempted. She does not forget.