If you can’t be all you can be, at least have enough sense to keep it to yourself.
A soldier who hid in her car to avoid saluting the flag — and then flaunted it on Instagram — is the latest service member to come under attack via social media and be accused of dishonoring her service.
Pfc. Tariqka Sheffey, whose Instagram handle is “sheffeynation,” posted a selfie with a caption that reads:
“This is me laying back in my car hiding so I don’t have to salute the 1700 flag, KEEP ALL YOUR ‘THATS SO DISRESPECTFUL/HOWRUDE/ETC.’ COMMENTS TO YOURSELF cuz, right now, IDGAFFFF.”
A lot of people are outraged, some even calling on the Army to kick Pfc. Sheffey out. Which seems like a disproportionate response to me. It’s hardly the worst thing that’s ever happened in the Army. “The malingering soldier” is such an American cliche that Mort Walker has made an entire career from it.
Then again:
Sheffey responded with a video on Instagram on Tuesday and expressed regret. But she stopped short of apologizing for her actions:
“I seriously just want to say thank you to everybody who stood up to me today, like seriously. That s— to me was not that serious. I am not a disrespectful soldier and I really appreciate you all.”
Yeah, she needs to do better than that.
Just admit that what you did was wrong, Pfc. Sheffey, and apologize. You gave up any right to have an attitude when you swore your oath.
It’s 2014. By now, everybody should have learned that if you’re going to do something you know you’re not supposed to do, you don’t brag about it online. Believe me, I learned the hard way after the “Guess Whose Tattoo?” incident. (Sorry again, Tucker Mr. Carlson.)
The Army should discipline her, she should make a proper apology, and that should be the end of it.
That’s how I see it, anyway. But then, as I was told repeatedly between 2001-2009, I’m just a chickenhawk. Hey, whatever happened to that term, anyway…?
(Hat tip: Kevin Jackson)