Rules for thee but not for me….C’mon folks you didn’t seriously think she worked her way up to the rank of Command Sergeant Major just so she would be required to follow the same vexatious rules as everybody underneath her, did you? And just because she is in the Army that shouldn’t mean she should be compelled to look all “butch” whenever she is in uniform, should it?

This is funny! This kind of “do as I say not as I do” behavior in regards to the uniform regulations has really been pretty common over the years. Higher ranking people are often the worst offenders. Lots of such people in the U.S Army clearly wish their Service followed the British Army practice of allowing the officers and NCO’s to dress differently than the lower enlisted ranks. But then Britain is an aristocratic society that accepts class distinctions, whereas the USA prides itself on being a more egalitarian democratic society where the same rules apply to everyone, even in the military. In the case of women and minorities, in years past anyone who wasn’t a woman or a minority frequently avoided correcting  them for such petty infractions least they end up in sensitivity training hell for being accused of being misogynist and /or racist. This is certainly the first time I have seen such a case get elevated in importance to the point it was reported about in the newspaper! Probably for a host of reasons not present in the past. One being that there are a lot more women in the Army today and that the women in this command  were bothered by the way the CSM chose to dress and wear her hair while on duty. Lessons learned: 1. Whenever women are bothered by anything, everyone else WILL be made to care. 2. Nothing good comes from posting anything on social media! 3. Always behave in public like someone is recording everything you do and say, because they probably are.

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Command Sgt. Maj. Angelia Flournoy, far right, of the 8th Military Police Brigade at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, is receiving counseling for wearing hairstyles, makeup and clothing not conforming to Army regulations. Some photos show Flournoy's hair hanging over her collar, while others show her wearing high heels while in uniform. Courtesy of U.S. Army

Flournoy expresses regret for out-of-regulation issues that sparked social media uproar

Courtesy of U.S. Army

Stars and Stripes | By Wyatt OlsonStars and Stripes 

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii — A command sergeant major whose out-of-regulation hairstyles, makeup and clothing sparked a firestorm of social media criticism is receiving counseling and has expressed “regret” for the distraction she has caused.
Photos of Command Sgt. Maj. Angelia Flournoy, who is with the 8th Military Police Brigade at Schofield Barracks, were posted to the Facebook page of the group US Army Military Police WTF Moments. Hundreds of comments were subsequently posted to the 8th MPB Facebook page, some of which have been deleted.
Photos show Flournoy’s hair hanging over her collar, while others show her wearing high heels while in uniform.
Some online commenters, who claim first-hand experience with Flournoy, describe her as imperious, long ignoring so-called “spot corrections” made by fellow soldiers pointing out her out-of-regulation attire. Others related disparaging anecdotes and second-hand gossip, and commenters turned their ire on MPB command after Facebook posts were deleted and photos removed.
Late Wednesday, Flournoy posted a statement on the 8th MPB’s Facebook page, saying: “I appreciate those who have corrected me and expressed their concern about my appearance not being fully in compliance with” regulations.
“You are right to insist standards be set and met by all soldiers,” she wrote. “I sincerely regret how this has distracted from the great things the 8th Military Police soldiers are doing around the world.”
The 8th MPS is responsible for military policing in the Pacific region.
Maj. Leslie Waddle, a spokesperson for the 8th Theater Sustainment Command, said the entire affair had made Flournoy “very humble.”
“Her hair was definitely out of regulation in some pictures,” Waddle said. “There are shoes that are not definitely out of regulation, but definitely questionable.
“The command is definitely aware,” she said. “The command has brought her in for counseling.” She said the command at 8th TSC, which has oversight of the military police brigade, considers the matter resolved.
Waddle said TSC Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Binford met with Flournoy “immediately” after command became aware of the photos, many of which commenters have altered into memes, and has been counseling her.
“It’s definitely gotten misconstrued on the internet, for sure,” Waddle said. “He’s definitely been mentoring her, and she’s been very humble about it.”
In a statement posted on the 8th TSC Facebook page Wednesday, Binford wrote that “a humble leader can selflessly accept criticism” and that when “that epiphany comes, and the decision to change is made, it is a moment worthy of respect.”
“I believe CSM Flournoy has had that epiphany after our discussions about the important role we play as senior NCOs,” he wrote. “This is a moment of extreme humility, but only from that moment can a leader truly improve. I would encourage all leaders across the TSC, enlisted and officer alike, to look at themselves, be receptive to criticism, and be willing to change.”

http://www.stripes.com/news/flournoy-expresses-regret-for-out-of-regulation-issues-that-sparked-social-media-uproar-1.407920