A female Sailor at Naval Air Technical Training Center in Pensacola, Florida who recently posted a video of herself sitting in protest during morning colors is facing possible punishment.
The eight-minute video shows the sailor, who is in training at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida, sitting through the anthem, in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, with her first held up in a black power salute before defending her actions.
On her video, she said, “People always want to say, you know, ‘men and women have died for this flag. No, correction men and women have died for my right and Colin Kaepernick’s right, to determine whether or not we want to stand or sit and that’s the thing people really don’t understand…”
Before deciding to sit, which is a violation of military protocol, the Sailor says she is nervous because some Marines are nearby. She even called the act, “the hardest 45 seconds of my life.”
The video was posted to U.S. Army Military Police WTF Moments’ Facebook page with a caption, “It’s one thing to exercise your rights and sit down during the anthem at a game, but as a service member on an installation?”
The official ruling in the U.S. Navy Regulations Handbook reads, “Whenever the National Anthem is played, all naval service personnel not in formation shall stand at attention and face the national ensign.”
Though former President Barack Obama notably neglected to put his hand over his heart during the 2008 election campaign. He later covered his mistake by saying his grandfather taught him to do this only during the pledge, and to only sing during the anthem.
After the video sparks outrage from the public, Lt Cmdr. Kate Meadows, a spokeswoman for Naval Education and Training Command, released a statement saying, “We have identified the Sailor and her chain of command were being informed of the video. Appropriate administrative actions are pending. However, Meadows added, she is not being discharged or separated. She will be able to move on to her next duty station as planned.”
Article Sources: America Now, The Shred Nation/Facebook, The Daily Mail, BBC Photo Credit: Allen West Video Credit: Prissy Holly/YouTube
SHE SHOULD BE KICKED OUT FROM MILITARY. WE DON’T NEED THOSE WHO TRY AND BREAK EVERY LAW THEY DON’T LIKE AFTER TAKING OATH TO RESPECT OUR MILITARY RULES. IF THEY DON’T LIKE IT, WHY JOIN IT?