Honorable Marine to Get 'General' Discharge!

[Nickdfresh]

Military Panel Recommends General Discharge for Marine Who Protested War in Uniform

Marine Corps veteran Adam Kokesh talks with reporters during a news conference in Washington, Friday, June 1, 2007. Kokesh had already received an honorable discharge from active duty before he was photographed in April wearing fatigues - with military insignia removed - during a mock patrol with other veterans protesting the Iraq war. A military panel in Kansas City, Mo., will hold a hearing Monday to decide whether he should be should be discharged from service and, if so, with what type of discharge. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
06-04-2007 8:30 PM
By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH, Associated Press Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Associated Press) -- A military panel has recommended a general discharge for an Iraq war veteran who wore his uniform during a war protest and later responded with an obscenity to a superior who told him he might have violated military rules.

Marine Cpl. Adam Kokesh participated in the protest in March, clad in a uniform that had his name tag and other insignia removed. After he was identified in a photo caption in The Washington Post, a superior officer sent him a letter saying he might have violated a rule prohibiting troops from wearing uniforms without authorization.

After a hearing Monday before an administrative separation board at the Marine Corps Mobilization Command, the panel decided not to recommend a less-than-honorable discharge, choosing instead the general discharge.

"This is a nonpunitive discharge," said Col. Patrick McCarthy, chief of staff for the mobilization command. "The most stringent discharge that could have been received is other than honorable, and the board chose to raise that up to a general discharge."

If the recommendation is approved, Kokesh would not lose any military benefits. McCarthy said.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[thome]

I don't get it the statement was he was already honorably discharged.

How can they redischarge him other than...

This cannot stand lots of dudes wear thier fatigues to work and such
what if they got some paint on thier pants would they be discraceing military property.?

I always considered disrespect to the uniform only reprehensible when
done to the class A or full dress uniform.

he paid for them, he owns them, he wasn't on active duty, wtf.

That's just me.

[thome]

I think the issue is the treatenig email he sent to his superior officer.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Associated Press) -- A military panel has recommended a general discharge for an Iraq war veteran who wore his uniform during a war protest and later responded with an obscenity to a superior who told him he might have violated military rules.

He sent a threatening email, ??another report??
to someone ,his active duty superior officer and that is verbal assault they could court martial the kid.He will be lucky and thankfull if they don't, if he is smart, they can very easily.

Jag officers need training too.

They said the protest was a theatrical performance, which meant wearing a uniform was not a violation of military rules. The military considered it a political event, at which personnel are not allowed to wear their uniforms without authorization.


The Associated Press contributed to this report.

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/135349.html

click Video

[FORD]

Are fatigues officially considered a uniform if they don't have the required patches and insignias on them?

I can go to a military surplus store and buy fatigues. Obviously that doesn't make me a Marine.

Sounds to me like they're splitting hairs here in an attempt to suppress the fact that there are those currently serving in the military who aren't afraid to say this war is bullshit.

[thome]

He seems very well coached in the vid maybe he will be the future Sheehan.

Or maybe in 27 years he can run for pres and remame himself john Kerry.

Only the nanes have changed...spooky isn't it.

Honestly the uniform is very important and shouldn't be trreated as
a toy and as i said before if he was in his Class A's i will be more pissed off than if it were fatigues..?(still don't know)

He wore his uniform for three reasons

1. To get extra attention
2.He wanted to make a statement as a soldier
3.He is a proud soldier who loves his country yet has a beef with the higher ups.

[DEMON CUNT]

This only gives his cause more power. Perhaps he can achive what Sheehan could not.

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[DEMON CUNT]

Originally posted by thome
Only the nanes have changed...spooky isn't it.

Indeed.

[ELVIS]

Originally posted by FORD
Are fatigues officially considered a uniform if they don't have the required patches and insignias on them?

As far as I know, no...

[FORD]

Originally posted by ELVIS
As far as I know, no...

So then, how was he "in uniform"?

[Nickdfresh]

This guy has the right to free speech. There are a few virulently pro-War service members that use their uniforms to defend a flawed ans failed policy, so what's the problem with a Marine using BDUs any one of us could have picked up at a surplus outlet to make his statement?

Complete, punitive bullshit!

[stringfelowhawk]

It is only illegal if he were on active duty or active reserves and wearing his uniform with appropriate name and rank insignia. I left 10 months ago after serving over 9 years. I'm not in the reserves and they can't call me up being that I spent over 8 years on active duty. He has done nothing wrong or illegal.

Someone mentioned "splitting hairs" above and they are dead on with that comment. I've seen some truly amazing bullshit pulled while I was in and you wouldn't believe the double standards that can be highlighted whenever the mood strikes the senior NCO's and officers.

[knuckleboner]

he was told it was against the rules to participate in fatigues. and what did he do in response to that? he gave an obscene gesture.

that's not an honorable marine.

he could've definitely disagreed with the command on the use of the fatigues, especially since he did remove all insignia. in fact, if i remember the earlier story correctly, they didn't immediately go after him for a dishonorable discharge; they merely informed him that he had improperly used the fatigues.

but then this dude went the obscenity route. attention grabbing, yes. but at that point, he has to be willing to accept the consequences of his actions.

[BITEYOASS]

THIS IS JUST ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT!!!! Especially since this marine will be finished with IRR in less than 2 weeks. The officer who decided to do this is probably an evangelical right-wing goose stepper.

[hideyoursheep]

Originally posted by knuckleboner
he was told it was against the rules to participate in fatigues. and what did he do in response to that? he gave an obscene gesture.

that's not an honorable marine.


but then this dude went the obscenity route. attention grabbing, yes. but at that point, he has to be willing to accept the consequences of his actions.

Against what rules? He was already discharged. HE IS UNTOUCHABLE!

When they start jerking those who have already served around on their discharges AFTER they've ETS'd, that should do wonders for recruitment now, shouldn't it?

Fuck all of them. HE served. HE fought. Those fatigues are HIS! He earnd them and the right to do whatever he wants with them including wipe his ass with them if he so chooses. They're not the flag. They sell them to civilians used and new. I have everything still on mine since 91 except for rank, and no one ever said dick to me about it. Not that I roll around pretending to still be a member,(which he did not) but they are mine, and am still proud of the units, people I served with,etc.

"Improper use"? Lay off the weed. Our forces are improperly used.
""Went the obscenity route"....I'm not touching that one- you live in a goddamned bubble.

AND WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU PRETEND TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT'S HONORABLE FOR ANYONE TO DO EXCEPT YOURSELF? Speaking out against a war he has more insight on than you do? Or because it shines a light on the problems they're having? Dont like discourse?Join the Taliban.

You self-righteous prick.

[hideyoursheep]

Originally posted by thome
He seems very well coached in the vid maybe he will be the future Sheehan.

Or maybe in 27 years he can run for pres and remame himself john Kerry.

Or, you can join the Natl. Guard to avoid the draft , blow off drill, have a wealthy political relative keep you from being activated and deployed, get out early, cover that up and call yourself W.

Are you really Karl Rove?

Only he is dumb enough to repeat that shit.