Like many other officers serving in the Army, I am a graduate of West Point. Almost all of us have seen combat in some form, whether it be in Iraq or Afghanistan. In a time of war when the best are needed, one person serves as a disgrace to our institution: Lt. Dan Choi.

He is hailed by some as a hero, some as a pioneer; to me, he is a disgrace. Choi served in Iraq; so did I, with three times his length of service downrange. Choi, since he was legally discharged on June 29, continually and blatantly operated [as an] affront to the oath he swore to uphold, while on and off active duty.

On March 18 and April 20, Choi handcuffed himself to the White House gates in protest of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” While he more than had the right to do so, being legally discharged, he continued to trade on the shock value of wearing his uniform during protests and trading on his title of “Lt. Choi.” He disgraced the uniform of his former profession for a cheap publicity stunt and some popularity on YouTube.

He did not operate in a vacuum; he was enabled by the media and celebrities.

What is completely mind-boggling, to say the least, is that, after all his picket waving and grandstanding, he was rewarded with a front-row seat to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” repeal ceremony on Dec. 22 (and was still in uniform).

What message are we sending to the formation? If you don’t agree with military policy, then complain on TV, chain yourself to the White House, and disgrace your uniform to get your point across? Will this individual be allowed back into service now that “don’t ask, don’t tell” is repealed?

Capt. Ted Moseby

Grafenwöhr, Germany

In favor of pulling ‘Strings’ ad

In regard to the half-page ad on Page 5 of my Jan. 23 edition, I say shame on you to both AAFES and Stars and Stripes.

For all the lip service given to supporting families, I’m highly disappointed in the Army and Air Force Exchange Service’s choice of “No Strings Attached” for the largest promotional movie ad I’ve seen in a while. And for a management staff that encourages schools to incorporate its periodical into curriculum, I’m highly disappointed in Stars and Stripes’ choice of “No Strings Attached” for such a focal placement of such a promotion.

It’s very clear what message is being broadcast to families and young people: anything goes, it’s all OK. I mistakenly thought AAFES and Stars and Stripes cared about uplifting military families and helping steer youth of military families in healthy directions. Sadly, through either ignorance or indifference, that appears not to be the case. And we deserve better.

Brianne Klotzsche

Stuttgart, Germany

Migrated