Sergeant major of Parris Island recruit depot resigns following altercation with protester

[Chopstick]

Wow. Too bad he threw his career away.

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/art...depot-resigns-following-altercation-protester

Marine Corps officials released this statement concerning Archie’s decision: “Understanding the Marine Corps has very high standards of personal and professional conduct for its most senior leaders, Sgt. Maj. Archie voluntarily stepped down as the depot sergeant major, and the commanding general regrettably accepted his retirement.”

On Thursday, Archie stopped his vehicle in front of a protest near the gates, got out and proceeded to get into a verbal altercation with a protester, Ethan Arguello, who also a former Marine drill instructor.

The official police statement on the incident has more detail: “During argument, Archie’s head struck the campaign cover knocking it off the head of the protestor. Archie took the campaign cover and proceeded onto MCRD Parris Island.”

 

[racing_kitty]

I can understand that emotions run unbelievably high with regards to what the guy was protesting, and I also understand a certain expectation of conduct that a senior NONCOM would have with regards to veterans. That being said, he should have gotten to be a SGM by keeping a level head and holding himself to a higher standard than most people. While each one of us has probably fantasized about doing something similar to someone whose message and delivery we didn't like, we haven't acted on it no matter how sorely tempted we were.

It's sad that he tossed his career over this; well and truly depressing.

 

[Polar Bear]

We all have a breaking point

 

[Red Flag 1]

Even the cop on scene was trying to get the SGM to back down, the SGM pressed ahead under full steam. There have been worse crash and burns, to be sure. Still in all, I'm sure the SGM did not envision his distinguished career ending this way.

 

[Viper1]

He backed his principles, I'll give him points for that. It went too far, stepped down because he broke a standard he set for himself. I'm sure he got a stern talking to from his seniors as well. That being said, Redflag I agree with you. Guys have gone down for a lot worse. Sometimes a fire breathing, passionate, balls-to-the-wall move is what is needed...it's just not appropriate towards the civilian population we serve, nor is the physical altercation. Sorry to hear it happen. I've noticed that the news reports don't discuss the nature or reason for the protest.

Poor situational awareness, poor judgement at keeping your cool.

 

[Chopstick]

@Viper1 the protest was regarding Bergdahl.
http://www.islandpacket.com/2014/06/06/3149699/parris-island-senior-advisor-charged.html

The group was protesting negotiations that led to the release last month of a U.S. Army soldier held captive by a Taliban-aligned group in Afghanistan, police confirmed. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was exchanged for five Taliban prisoners in a swap negotiated by the U.S. government.

Archie got into a heated argument with a protester who wore a military campaign hat. At one point, Archie's head struck the hat, knocking it off the protester's head, the release said. Archie took the hat and proceeded onto Parris Island, where he was stopped at the gate, according to the release. Staff retrieved the hat and returned it to its owner.

 

[Viper1]

@Viper1 the protest was regarding Bergdahl.
http://www.islandpacket.com/2014/06/06/3149699/parris-island-senior-advisor-charged.html

'Preciate ya.

 

[AWP]

Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, your Senior Drill Instructor, is impressed. No word as yet on the disposition of GySgt Hartman's sister...

 

[Ooh-Rah]

This is so confusing, what the F did the Sgt Major care if folks were protesting the release of terrorists for Bergdahl. Most people I know agree, was this all over the fact that the dude was wearing his campaign cover?

I would have liked to see the beginning of the video, not just the part where they are yelling at each other but what caused the escalation. I'm suspicious of the other man's motives when he makes a point of asking "someone" if they got everything on film...this guy was trained how to push someone's buttons, wonder what was going on in the Sgt. Major's world that day that allowed him to lose his bearing so easily.

Damn shame another good Marine is drummed out of the Corps for something so silly.

"THE BAD MAN TOOK MY HAT!!!"

 

[racing_kitty]

This is so confusing, what the F did the Sgt Major care if folks were protesting the release of terrorists for Bergdahl. Most people I know agree, was this all over the fact that the dude was wearing his campaign cover?

The exposure I had to Marine E-9's was limited to those in the EOD community, but if Marine non-EOD SGM's have the same hangups as Big Army SGM's, then I wouldn't be surprised in the least that this was over his wearing a campaign hat in civilian clothes while protesting something. Never mind whether he otherwise agreed with the protester's message or not, take that muhfuh'n hat off yo' muhfuh'n head!

 

[pardus]

The protester should not have been wearing the DI's hat, douchebag move.
The SGM should not have done what he did, though I do understand the passion behind it.

 

[Scotth]

The protestor was wrong.

The SGM showed a lot of integrity and held himself accountable. A rare quality these days but he showed himself to be leader even if he was human for a few minutes.

Thank you for your service to our nation SGM Archie.

 

[DA SWO]

Was the protester a former Marine? or currently serving Marine?

If he is the former, then the SGM had no right to take the cover.

 

[104TN]

Was the protester a former Marine? or currently serving Marine?

If he is the former, then the SGM had no right to take the cover.

At least one article is stating that the protestor had been a Marine DI.

That being said, campaign covers are only authorized for wear while in a DS/DI billet - no? If dude wasn't doing the job I don't think he had a right to be sporting it. It's a uniform item.

I was also under the impression that unless you retire, wearing your uniform is generally frowned upon. If you do retire, you're supposed to wear the whole uniform or none of it.

Given the SGM's role, responsibilities, and the location of the protest, I can understand why seeing a protestor in a campaign cover would send him off the rails. I'm not excusing his actions...but I understand them.

 

[DA SWO]

At least one article is stating that the protestor had been a Marine DI.

That being said, campaign covers are only authorized for wear while in a DS/DI billet - no? If dude wasn't doing the job I don't think he had a right to be sporting it. It's a uniform item.

I was also under the impression that unless you retire, wearing your uniform is generally frowned upon. If you do retire, you're supposed to wear the whole uniform or none of it.

Given the SGM's role, responsibilities, and the location of the protest, I can understand why seeing a protestor in a campaign cover would send him off the rails. I'm not excusing his actions...but I understand them.

I agree, but really?

You've never seen a retiree wearing BDU/DCU/ACU pants while they browse the PX?

How about guys wearing the Field Jackets after they get out?

Is a Campaign Cover issued and returned? or issued and given to the SM to keep?

It's only Government Property if it should have been turned back in.

 

[Ooh-Rah]

I agree, but really?

You've never seen a retiree wearing BDU/DCU/ACU pants while they browse the PX?

How about guys wearing the Field Jackets after they get out?

Is a Campaign Cover issued and returned? or issued and given to the SM to keep?

It's only Government Property if it should have been turned back in.

I still maintain that this former Marine had an agenda. He knew damn well that standing outside of MCRD wearing a campaign cover would, at a minimum, get a second look; likely hadn't planned on landing the fish he caught.

Hope he's proud of himself, no way he would have spoke (yelled) at the Sgt. Major like that if they were in a back alley and there were not camera rolling. Fuck stick.

 

[AWP]

I bloody well doubt the guy wears his campaign cover on daily basis. He wore it to cause a reaction and/ or "support" his protest (See? Here's what I used to do and what I've earned) but he had to know it would ruffel some feathers. There's no way you leave home rocking Smokey the Bear and not have an agenda.

 

[Ranger Psych]

I bloody well doubt the guy wears his campaign cover on daily basis. He wore it to cause a reaction and/ or "support" his protest (See? Here's what I used to do and what I've earned) but he had to know it would ruffel some feathers. There's no way you leave home rocking Smokey the Bear and not have an agenda.

Unless you're a Boy Scout in Troop 599, Watsonville CA..... and have proper wear/care of a campaign hat drilled into your brain housing group by your multi-tour vietnam veteran scoutmaster since it's a rare and expensive piece of uniform equipment that immediately reflects on you and your troop.

 

[medicchick]

There's no way you leave home rocking Smokey the Bear and not have an agenda.

Unless you're a State Trooper, but then I guess you have your own agenda.

 

[Brill]

He resigned as SEL but he's still a SGM, right? How did he throw away his career? He's still going to retire as an E-9. Hell, I'd rather fight alongside him than the other dipshit.