Michigan Principal Apologizes for Marine Uniform Comments

Military.com ^ | June 14, 2018 | The Associated Press

[Old Teufel Hunden]

MARSHALL, Mich. — A high school principal in southern Michigan has apologized to two graduates whom he had chastised for wearing their Marine dress uniforms during commencement.

Marshall High School Principal Scott Hutchins apologized Monday for his comments regarding the two students' decision not to wear their caps and gowns on June 3, the Battle Creek Enquirer reported. School officials had told the two students ahead of commencement that exceptions wouldn't be made to a policy requiring graduates to wear a cap and gown, Superintendent Randy Davis said.

Hutchins pulled aside Pfc. Willie Couch and Pfc. Samuel Hackworth at the ceremony, according to a statement released by Davis the day after graduation. Hutchins thanked them for their service but told them, "I do not feel you acted honorably today by not following our rules," the statement said.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

When I first read the title of the article I thought to myself oh, no another leftist teacher/principle who hates the military bashing us. Then I read the article and I suddenly realized, are we becoming like the left? Are we the PC police? These young Marines clearly broke the rules and were in the wrong and the principle had no reason to apologize. It seems like we have come a long way from when I graduate high school post Vietnam where the military was held in such low regard to now where I feel like we might be creating a society of forcing the love of the military unduly on people.

[jiggyboy]

I agree. It’s impossible that they do not understand the nature of uniforms. In high school, they are students first and foremost, all the way through graduation. They are not on-duty soldiers taking courses.

[headstamp 2]

They were reminded ahead of time what the dress requirements were.

The principal pushed it a bit when he told them they were dishonorable for doing (wearing their uniforms) it.

Did it reveal a hidden bias on the principle’s part? Who knows.

You could say both parties here were in the wrong.

[Darteaus94025]

Well, if the Left can break the rules and demand an apology...

[KingLudd]

I would have wanted to kick his sorry ass in the parking lot. Settle it quietly right there. I’m sure he doesn’t really appreciate their service. That’s what liberals say right before they bash them for something else.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"In high school, they are students first and foremost, all the way through graduation. They are not on-duty soldiers taking courses."

Yes, and even if they were on duty and taking courses, if the uniform for graduation is cap and gown and that's prohibited to be worn over a Marine dress blues (which it is), then they should wear a suit, period.

I understand these young men are proud of their accomplishments and being a Marine. They should be. But there is a time and place for everything and Marines follow the rules. We are not above the law, we are citizens just like everyone else.

[GenXteacher]

They had rules, which were broken. The principal called it correctly. I like the idea of a special tassel, or better yet, an armed forces stole or medal.

[taxcontrol]

I have no problem with them wearing their Marine uniform .... under the commencement gown.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"Well, if the Left can break the rules and demand an apology..."

I don't want to be the left. I want to be better than the left. I want to destroy their PC way of thinking. This is not how to do it.

[rjsimmon]

I have no problem with them wearing their Marine uniform .... under the commencement gown.

You NEVER cover the uniform.

[certrtwngnut]

I agree. When I graduated H.S. in 1958 the military was respected. Then Johnson brought us Viet Nam and a lot of the respect went away. Now everyone in the military is called a hero. But some are Bradley Mannings and some are Pat Tillmans. They should not be put on the same pedestal. The answer I guess is somewhere in the middle.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"I have no problem with them wearing their Marine uniform .... under the commencement gown."

This is not allowed per the uniform regs

https://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%20P1020.34G%20W%20CH%201-5.pdf

Under the section regulations for wear:

3. The dress cap will be worn with dress blue or blue-white uniforms only. The service cap or garrison cap will be worn with service uniforms. Organizational or non-regulation headgear will not be worn.

9. Unless authorized herein, modifying designated uniforms is prohibited.

This uniform reg is dated 2003, but trust me that section doesn't get changed.

[PAR35]

So the Marines don’t teach privates how to obey orders during basic any more.

The ‘all about me’ dudes need to show up for formation (do they even do that any more) in shorts that show their underwear and t-shirts and tell the sergeant that’s how they felt like dressing that day.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"I’m sure he doesn’t really appreciate their service. That’s what liberals say right before they bash them for something else."

I disagree. Per the article, the two PFCs were offered a special tassel or stole to wear and to be recognized during the ceremony. When I graduated highschool, I had teachers and principles that were WWII and Korean war veterans and they weren't offering me anything special to wear or to be recognized though I was signed up to go to boot camp.

[COBOL2Java]

Military.com: Military Dress at Graduation? In Most Places, It's a No-No

CONCORD, N.H. -- Can the cap and gown worn by high school graduates co-exist peacefully with military uniforms worn by classmates destined for the armed services? Until recently, the answer in New Hampshire was no.

A law went into effect last month allowing graduates the opportunity to wear their uniform at commencement ceremonies if they have completed basic training. New Hampshire joins Pennsylvania and California, which passed similar laws in 2011 and 2009 respectively.

The debate about appropriate attire for a rite of passage is not as simple as it seems. The idea of military dress breaking up a uniform sea of school colors speaks directly to deeply held convictions about school spirit, patriotism, the role of the military and the significance of graduation.

"I would love for other kids to see this law and be motivated by it. I would like Brandon's Law to be an inspiration for other high school students to strive to succeed and be rewarded for it," said Jessie Kelley, mother of the young man killed in action for whom the New Hampshire law is named. "They are putting their lives on the lines, so I feel it's the least we could do."

Her son, Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon Garabrant, fought unsuccessfully to wear his uniform to his 2013 graduation from ConVal Regional High School. The school worried he would outshine his classmates and said the uniform represented achievements beyond the classroom.

Reaction was swift and fierce. Commenters raged on Facebook, with some even posting personal details about the principal who denied Garabrant and encouraging emails to him. Reporters camped out at graduation.

The brouhaha came into poignant focus when the 19-year-old was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan the following summer.

In McHenry, Illinois, last month, Pvt. Megan Howerton was not allowed to walk in her graduation from McHenry West High School when, minutes before the ceremony, she asked to collect her diploma wearing her Marine Corps dress blues. She was told she would have to wear it under her gown, so she chose not to participate.

Her case inspired a hashtag, #letmeganwalk, with commenters split between those who felt her service should be recognized and those who argued she should follow school policy as rigidly as military protocol.

The Marine Corps Recruiting Station Chicago said in a statement that the decision was rightly left up to the school because "graduations recognize the academic accomplishments of the class and the class's final chapter at that institution."

In New Hampshire, Brandon's Law passed with none of the angry words that surrounded his bid. The concerns at legislative hearings included the impact it would have on a school's ability to set policy and a few complaints that uniforms would be a distraction.

Kate Williams, a family friend who cut Garabrant's hair for years, led the campaign and put a sign in her salon that said, "Brandon deserves to wear his uniform." Many community members couldn't understand why the school wouldn't make an exception, given what he was doing for the country, she said.

Brian Pickering, the principal at Garabrant's school, supports the new law. Even though he also got the blessing from Marines and other veterans for his decision, Pickering said, the threats he endured "nearly ruined my career and family."

"I'm thankful for the law because, at the time, there was no law," Pickering said. "There was nothing to fall back upon."

Colleges have also dealt with the issue. The Army ROTC at the University of New Hampshire, which covers nine universities, said students can wear military dress or their cap and gown.

So far this graduation season, only one New Hampshire high school student is known to have worn a military uniform during graduation -- Michael Joy, of Prospect Mountain High School. But he wore it under his gown when he graduated Friday, opting instead for a red sash over his gown representing the Army National Guard.

Joy, who will be a member of the military police in the Guard, said he didn't want to stand out from his fellow seniors.

"I didn't want to make myself like, 'Oh, I'm better than you guys,' " Joy said. "It could be an opportunity to celebrate patriotism and stuff. But I feel like joining and actually serving, that is my way of showing patriotism. I don't have to wear the uniform to show people that I'm in the service."

[AndyJackson]

I am astonished at the pedantic rules Nazis here - all of you. I must have wandered over to DU or something.

These two were already marines. The marine dress uniform of the day is suitable for all official occasions.

Period. End of story. Be a patriot, stand up for your country, your flag, and those who join up to serve.

AAAAARGGGHGHHHHHH. I cannot believe I have to have this argument here on FR now, or ever.

[AndyJackson]

They had rules, which were broken.

They are marines proudly wearing their dress uniforms. That actually is the rule, if folks like you need rules to figure out what is right and what is wrong.

A Marine in dress uniform for a formal occasion is in uniform. PERIOD. END OF STORY.

Get a clue, man.

[SJSAMPLE]

Agreed. The USMC understands uniform policies and vigorously enforces them. No Marine would stand up and defend the breaking of a uniform policy for the feels of a few “boots”.

[SJSAMPLE]

Or, maybe a couple of Marines could wait in the parking lot and explain uniform policies to these boots?

[SJSAMPLE]

THAT would violate USMC uniform policy, as well.

The “uniform of the day” was cap and gown, period.