KNEWDITY

KNEWDITY
by Andy Weddington
Wednesday, 22 March 2017

One can acquire everything in solitude except character. Stendhal

This morning came more (growing) news about the social media scandal tarnishing our beloved and revered Marine Corps and emblem.

Oh, it's going to get worse. Count on it. 

Break out the Brasso! 

But after mulling it over during a long, hectic day, count me not amongst the hysterical nor the so much as all that interested.

Reflecting back more than 20 years to days at Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps (HQMC), the guidance to new action officers was not to put anything in email (on the computer) you did not want to see on the front page, above the fold, in The Washington Post. 

More clear the guidance could not have been.

And it did not take a genius to apply that guidance to any use of a computer. 

Once in electrons, for all intents and purposes, it is public content.

Privacy?

Hahaha! 

It's like a secret - tell one person and it's not a secret. 

The bottom line with this ongoing nonsense and hunt for the "guilty" is that had Marines (clad or not) not been taking photographs and videos of themselves and posting them on the Internet, then nary a problem. 

The Marines are adults. Adults raised in the electron world. And they damn well knew what they they were doing and know the hazards of social media. Beware!  

To claim otherwise (ignorance, breach of privacy, or victim) is as unprofessional, and unacceptable, as the behavior of the Marines on the opposing side. 

Stupidity is one (unsolvable) problem.

Which leads to another (core and Corps) problem - lack of character. 

Lack of character does not meet Core Values - Honor. Courage. Commitment. 

Therefore, is stupidity and lack of, or worse complete absence of, character something that degrades warfighting preparation and capability?

Absolutely.  

Social media (conduct thereon) validates Stendhal's thought. 

Knewdity.

So, how about accountability and responsibility?  

For the health and good of the service, and security of our country, discharge them all. 

And move on. 

Alas, good grief, how about let's get sex out of the military (if that's possible with the left's agenda) and back where it belongs - in politics and religion. 

What's next? 

Phaque gnus - teasing and taunting hungry lions? 

Now there's a story ripe for exploitation on social media.