As first reported by the Army Times, a US Army Pfc (Private, First Class) posted an Instagram “selfie” (“sheffeynation”) of herself hiding in her car during the sounding of “Retreat” to avoid standing at attention, saluting and rendering honors to the American flag as the colors are lowered for the day.
To quote Ms. Tariqka Sheffey:
“This is me laying back in my car hiding so I don’t have to salute the 1700 flag, KEEP ALL YOUR ‘THATS SO DISRESPECTFUL/HOWRUDE/ETC.’ COMMENTS TO YOURSELF cuz, right now, IDGAFFFF.”
The posting and then retiring of “colors” (the US and military service flags) is a cherished ritual on board active duty installations. It has a rich history in the vibrant tapestry of military tradition and protocols, and is often a time of quiet and personal reflection when one is respectfully rendering “honors” to the colors. For many people who serve on active duty, it is a profoundly moving experience, especially when they know they have comrades serving under arms in combat theatres across the Globe.
“Retreat,” 5 p.m. – According to the FAS article, “Retreat” is also a Crusades-era French bugle call. Historically, “Retreat” was played at sunset and signified the requirement of sentries to challenge personnel until sunrise and for Soldiers to return to their quarters.
Today, a howitzer is fired at the last note of “Retreat,” and the flag is lowered at the first note of “To the Colors,” with the lowering of the flag regulated in such a manner as to be completed at the last note.
According to “The Soldier’s Guide,” Soldiers who are outdoors are to face the flag and come to the position of attention at the first note of “Retreat.” Soldiers render a salute at the first note of “To the Colors.”
When in civilian clothes, Soldiers are to stand at attention while facing the flag with their right hands over their hearts at the first note of “To the Colors.” Soldiers driving vehicles are to pull off to the side of the road, and the driver or the vehicle commander is to exit the vehicle to render honors.
When this story was first publicized by the Army Times newspaper, predictably, there was an explosion of outrage and anger. Many veterans and Gold Star parents rightly pointed out that if Pfc Sheffey didn’t feel she needed to “honor” the flag, she certainly wouldn’t feel under any obligation to fight or die for it, and called for her dismissal from the armed services.
“Any soldier who refuses to salute the flag is in the military for the wrong reason, and should be removed by dishonorable discharge with loss of all benefits,” one Facebook commenter said. “If they won’t salute it, they damn sure won’t fight for it.”
Pfc Sheffey is a member of the “Quartermaster Brigade” (quelle surprise!) at Ft. Carson, CO, an important mustering point for troops being deployed overseas.
The base command was forced to initiate an investigation based on the number of complaints, but they aren’t too happy about Pfc Sheffey’s remarks being brought to their attention. In fact, their concern soon pivoted from focusing on Sheffey’s actions and sentiments towards her country’s flag to rallying around her to defend her from her critics and from alleged “copycat” posters in an attempt to deflect the discussion from the overt disrespect and surly attitude of Pfc Sheffey into an in-the-weeds discussion about how she was racially profiled and “attacked” and used to “incite more outrage”….
Many people assumed these were more posts from the PFC. But a Fort Carson official said it is likely these are posers who are looking to incite more outrage online.
It is “strongly believed that there are copycats posing as her, using some of her info to post more nonsense,” the official said.
Sheffey, in response, addressed the controversy (even though, apparently she didn’t “GAFFFF”) expressing essentially remorse for being caught out – certainly her “apology” fell far short of actually acknowledging her shameful and childish behavior.
“I seriously just want to say thank you to everybody who stood up to me today, like seriously. That s— to me was not that serious. I am not a disrespectful soldier and I really appreciate you all.”
