thedrifter
03-25-04, 10:44 AM
Base top enlisted clarifies privileges
Sgt. Jerad W. Alexander
Combat Correspondent
Before Sgt. Maj. Brian K. Pensak took over as the sergeant major of Marine Corps Base, he routinely instructed young corporals on non-punitive measures during the Corporal’s Leadership Course at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.
Pensak realized that the differences between rights and privileges can be easily confused and hoped to bring clarity to the topic.
According to Pensak, a privilege is anything outside the basic needs of an individual.
Within the Professional Military Education outline, which Pensak wrote, a section discusses the administrative withholding of privileges. It states: “A privilege is a benefit, advantage or favor provided for the convenience or enjoyment of an individual.”
Rights to servicemembers, however, cover basic needs, which are based on the American Bill of Rights, according to the sergeant major.
The basics of both are taught at recruit training; “But I think the details are readily missed,” added Pensak.
Marines and Sailors aboard base should read local and Marine Corps-wide regulations to determine what is considered a right and what is considered a privilege. Education will help alleviate any confusion concerning what restrictions a Marine may incur after an incident.
One example the sergeant major mentioned is a traffic violator who lost his driving privileges. The Marine lived off base and argued that he had no way to get to and from work to which the reply was essentially “tough luck.” Driving on base is a privilege, not a right.
“When enough people abuse the privileges, the privileges can be taken away when there’s a prospective from commanders that they’re being abused,” said Pensak.
Recently, the wearing of proper civilian attire aboard base and out in town as well as the camouflage utility uniform has been ‘placed under the microscope’ so-to-speak. According to the sergeant major, Marines have been abusing the set guidelines for civilian attire and where the utility uniform is authorized out in town.
Resources to view the rights and privileges of servicemembers are available, according to Pensak. There are manuals such as the Manual for Courts-Martial United States, better known as the JAG Manual, and the Marine Corps Web site Publications section lists Marine Corps orders that have differencing guidelines for Marine Corps and civilian-Marine personnel are good sources of information. Also, the Camp Lejeune Web site offers links to view local rules and regulations that define what is a base privilege and what is a right, according to the sergeant major.
However, it is the individual Marine who will make the decision to educate themselves.
“A young Marine needs to understand that when they abuse privileges, their actions effect everyone else.”
One example of such privileges being abused is the once-standing privilege of Marines under the age of 21 being allowed to drink aboard base at now nonexistent Enlisted Marines clubs. Marines began to abuse that privilege and it was subsequently taken away, according to Pensak.
Another example, more recent, was the raping at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. A Marine stationed there raped a Japanese civilian and essentially forced the commanders their to impose a curfew on the Marines there… Marines that may have served in accordance to the rules and regulations imposed on them upon their enlistment.
“One Pfc.’s actions can cause the rest to suffer,” he said.
http://militarynews.com/globe/mainside.html
Ellie
Sgt. Jerad W. Alexander
Combat Correspondent
Before Sgt. Maj. Brian K. Pensak took over as the sergeant major of Marine Corps Base, he routinely instructed young corporals on non-punitive measures during the Corporal’s Leadership Course at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.
Pensak realized that the differences between rights and privileges can be easily confused and hoped to bring clarity to the topic.
According to Pensak, a privilege is anything outside the basic needs of an individual.
Within the Professional Military Education outline, which Pensak wrote, a section discusses the administrative withholding of privileges. It states: “A privilege is a benefit, advantage or favor provided for the convenience or enjoyment of an individual.”
Rights to servicemembers, however, cover basic needs, which are based on the American Bill of Rights, according to the sergeant major.
The basics of both are taught at recruit training; “But I think the details are readily missed,” added Pensak.
Marines and Sailors aboard base should read local and Marine Corps-wide regulations to determine what is considered a right and what is considered a privilege. Education will help alleviate any confusion concerning what restrictions a Marine may incur after an incident.
One example the sergeant major mentioned is a traffic violator who lost his driving privileges. The Marine lived off base and argued that he had no way to get to and from work to which the reply was essentially “tough luck.” Driving on base is a privilege, not a right.
“When enough people abuse the privileges, the privileges can be taken away when there’s a prospective from commanders that they’re being abused,” said Pensak.
Recently, the wearing of proper civilian attire aboard base and out in town as well as the camouflage utility uniform has been ‘placed under the microscope’ so-to-speak. According to the sergeant major, Marines have been abusing the set guidelines for civilian attire and where the utility uniform is authorized out in town.
Resources to view the rights and privileges of servicemembers are available, according to Pensak. There are manuals such as the Manual for Courts-Martial United States, better known as the JAG Manual, and the Marine Corps Web site Publications section lists Marine Corps orders that have differencing guidelines for Marine Corps and civilian-Marine personnel are good sources of information. Also, the Camp Lejeune Web site offers links to view local rules and regulations that define what is a base privilege and what is a right, according to the sergeant major.
However, it is the individual Marine who will make the decision to educate themselves.
“A young Marine needs to understand that when they abuse privileges, their actions effect everyone else.”
One example of such privileges being abused is the once-standing privilege of Marines under the age of 21 being allowed to drink aboard base at now nonexistent Enlisted Marines clubs. Marines began to abuse that privilege and it was subsequently taken away, according to Pensak.
Another example, more recent, was the raping at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. A Marine stationed there raped a Japanese civilian and essentially forced the commanders their to impose a curfew on the Marines there… Marines that may have served in accordance to the rules and regulations imposed on them upon their enlistment.
“One Pfc.’s actions can cause the rest to suffer,” he said.
http://militarynews.com/globe/mainside.html
Ellie