Guidons, Guidons, Guidons!: The PC Police and the Safety Nazis

Sometimes I believe nobody can equal the United States Army when it comes to CYA safety practices and banning things just because SOMEONE MIGHT be OFFENDED.

Then I see stuff like this and realize we are mere pikers when it comes to this stuff.

First I was sent this story by reader and sometime commenter Kath...

Tinker first sergeants develop program to help motorcyclists

Dec. 30, 2008
By Danielle Gregory
72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFMCNS) — First sergeants here have formed a program entitled "Operation We Care" which allows them to identify motorcycle riders who may be at a higher risk of an accident.

According to Master Sgt. Ronda White, whenever a first sergeant notices that a motorcycle has bad tires or that the paint of the motorcycle is scraped off from previously laying down the bike, the first sergeant will leave an “Operation We Care” card on the motorcycle with the potential safety issue identified on the back.

"The card instructs the motorcycle rider to go see the rider’s first sergeant,” Sergeant White said.

The face-to-face communication between motorcyclists and their first sergeants demonstrates that the first sergeants care about riders and the condition of their bikes. If the motorcycle needs to be fixed, first sergeants can recommend that the operator not ride the bike until the motorcycle is in proper working order."The bottom line is that our people are our business,” Sergeant White said. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and we need our people to complete the mission."

Across the Air Force there has been a growing rate of motorcycle deaths and accidents. Officials are actively working to figure out what they can do to address the problem and solve it. "We can't complete the mission without our people,” Sergeant White said. “People are our most important resource. The Air Force spends a lot of money training our people. Tinker’s first sergeants are investing time and resources in an effort to make a difference and possibly save a life.”Riders who receive a card on their motorcycle are responsible for bringing the card to their first sergeant within 24 hours or the next duty day. All the first sergeants track what motorcycle they leave cards on and communicate with other first sergeants so they know when to expect a visit."The first sergeants want their military members to know 'we care' if you live or die,” Sergeant White said. “If a trip to the shirt's office prompts you to put up your motorcycle until you get your new tires, then we have reached our goal and possibly saved your life."

I'm so glad they want their airmen to know that they care. Good grief can we all just get a hug? I'm guessing they don't have mandatory POV (personally owned vehicle) inspections in the USAF? What's with the statement that 1st SGTs can recommend that the operator not ride the bike till it's fixed. What about an order? They are in the military aren't they?

In the Army we are having problems with motorcycle accidents as well. I can say without much fear of contradiction that most of the people involved in those accidents were told numerous times about the dangers of unsafe acts while riding their bikes, they then chose for whatever reason to go out and do things which got themselves hurt or killed. While there were some that were minding their own business and doing all the right things and still got hurt they are in the vast minority. So what can you do?

Then we have the PC police. From CDR Salamander comes this tale of debauchery amongst Naval Aviators (I know whoda' thunk it).

The Electronic Warfare EF-18G is officially known as the "Growler." Hmmmmm - words have meaning. What is the definition of "Growler" for the rest of the world? Well the answer is complicated, in the UK it means this,
growler - This term has two suggested meaning from two different people. The first is a slang name for vagina, i.e.. "I'd love to see her growler". ... The other meaning is: the sort of person who is very drunk in a pub and is looking for a fight, maybe a mad looking bloke sitting at the bar staring at people.

On this side of the pond, it means this,
growler - Defecation causing extreme pain, and audible growling sounds, i.e. "After eating that Mexican food, I took a serious growler."
Of course, when "Growler" was announced as the name for the EF-18G it was well known what the underground meaning of "Growler" was before the aircraft was named - warnings were sent up - but "they " did it anyway. Right away, most Gen X and below started giggl'n and hated the name, but the Boomers in charge just thought having the "G" in EF-18G combined with the old EA-6B name "Prowler" was just too cute not to combine. Few under CAPT thought it was a good idea.

As we expect from those with the personality to want to fly off carriers - the proud but disgusted JOs with the attitude Naval Aviators as known for stepped into the lexicon for other options. That is when "Shocker" came up.

"Shocker" seems an interesting and noble name perhaps, if for no other reason besides being an electronic bird.

Look at those patches at the top of the post; do they seem shocking and in poor taste?

To the Navy, a pinkie standing out with the index and middle finger out and the ring finger in usually means, "I didn't listen to the safety guys and kept my wedding ring on when underway."

Well, for the unenlightened out there "the shocker" is a hand gesture with sexual connotations ...so the shocker patch has been banned. If you had no idea what the shocker was or even if you do would you be offended if members of the armed forces of the good ole' US of A wore a patch that looked like this?

To be honest I've seen and actually worn worse (tastefully speaking) patches. Honestly don't people have better things to do? Isn't there a war to be won or something?