Looking out for one another

[u/Gryphontech]

So there's a tweet going around that's pretty mean, and it's aimed directly at one of us. I don't know any of the people involved, and I don't know their life story, I just see two happy people doing what seem to be their very best to serve their community and country.

Regardless of your personal opinion on people personal choices or health habits taking the bait is the opposite of looking out for your brothers and sisters in uniform. If you want to say you "support people in uniform" this is the time to show it.

A country that is showing itself increasingly hostile has taken a potshot at our member and I see a lot of Canadians joining in instead of supporting a uniform member going through what is probably a very shit time.

Lastly, to anyone that personally knows this member, please check up on them and make sure they are okay and that they know that most of the country supports them.

[u/This_Television2467]

Exactly this👆

[u/idiedin2019]

Yeah. I’ve been pretty worried about the member.

I can’t imagine what it would be like to be in her shoes right now but i wish i knew her so I could offer support.

And I don’t want to make any assumptions about the member or how this might or might not affect her, but I really fucking hope VAC offers her all the services she needs, if she needs them.

[u/Shoggoths420 → u/idiedin2019]

If anyone does know this member, I’m happy to help them get set up with whatever support they need from VAC

That tweet is absolutely abhorrent.

[u/conanap → u/Shoggoths420]

afaik CoC is on it, I think we can let them do their thing.

[u/idiedin2019 → u/Shoggoths420]

Yes. because I can totally see VAC say “Here is the CFMAP number, good luck.”

[u/Stone_Engine048 → u/Shoggoths420]

What kind of support would VAC have in a senario like this? And for what?

[u/NauticalBean → u/Stone_Engine048]

It’s not unreasonable that this could cause the development of a mental health issue, or worse. a pre-existing one if present, so they may be able to offer psychological support and/or compensation for psychological injury.

[u/Shoggoths420 → u/Stone_Engine048]

Access to MH services, ability to make a claim for MH, any condition that arises subsequent to MH, support in general

[u/Stone_Engine048 → u/Shoggoths420]

Could someone who gets made fun of in the sub here or on corporals news network put a claim in with VAC for MH?

[u/Shoggoths420 → u/Stone_Engine048]

I’m certain you understand the difference between a satire site and the secretary of defence of both a foreign nation and ally doing so. Please act in good faith

[u/Stone_Engine048 → u/Shoggoths420]

Yes, a broken arm is a broken arm. Where and how you got it can be the difference with VAC.

If it comes down to someone receiving a MH injury from being thrust into the spotlight against their wishes, and harassed for it,  I don't see a big difference between it being from someone like Hegseth or a satire website. 

I'm curious if VAC would make the distinction insofar as it being service related or not.

[u/NauticalBean → u/Stone_Engine048]

Would this woman and her body be subject of international discussion if it weren’t for her service in the CAF? I would assume not, therefore I would argue that it’s a valid argument that it could cause a service related psychological injury. At the end of the day, that would be between her, any professionals who care for her, and the staff at VAC who may be involved in any hypothetical claim.

[u/Stone_Engine048 → u/NauticalBean]

Would this woman and her body be subject of international discussion if it weren’t for her service in the CAF?

The scope is larger but it's the same premise as posting a CAF members picture here or CNN. Posting anyone's picture to ridicule them is garbage.

[u/NauticalBean → u/Stone_Engine048]

Absolutely it’s garbage no matter what the scope is but I’d argue in this case, the wide reach of this image is what could be considered as the basis for a claim. But this is all
hypothetical. I don’t know this woman or how it may be impacting her, but I feel for her for sure.

[u/Own_Firefighter9433 → u/Stone_Engine048]

Are you being intentionally obtuse? There is a difference between someone being ridiculed by some numpty on a satire site and the fucking US Defence Secretary posting and mocking them.

Regardless of whether there’s justification to receive VAC support we should all be able to agree on this part.

[u/Stone_Engine048 → u/Own_Firefighter9433]

Certainly the latter is considerably worse. She's been thust into a national spotlight because of that asshole.

What do you think my original question was about?

[u/LOHare → u/idiedin2019]

FWIW, members report being okay. Both cadet and the CIC officer had personal phone calls with very high ranking pers (mil and civ). They're in good spirits and feel well supported.

[u/idiedin2019 → u/LOHare]

I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you for the update.

Although, I said the same when I got back from deployment (years ago now ) and then a year and a half later... 💀.

Shit like this is the kind of shit you think you're supposed to just shrug off until you can't.

So, I'm glad she's doing well, and I hope both of them continue to do well.

[u/Bartholomewtuck → u/idiedin2019]

I hope she sees our comments. I've been thinking of her all day. It's all over international media, no one deserves this. Moreover, my kids were in cadets growing up, and there's a freaking child in that photo! 

[u/RepulsiveLook]

CAF Ethos: Trusted to Serve

Ethical Principles

1. Respect the Dignity of All Persons

Full stop.

[u/abalrogsbutthole → u/RepulsiveLook]

^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^

[u/Barb-u]

You hit it on the nail.

Take care of each other, independently of your component, service, MOC or whatever.

[u/Ebowa]

When I was in basic, a certain instructor really picked on this one member and probably went too far with the mocking. But we as a group rallied round her and she didn’t let it get to her, she went on in her career and proved him wrong ( tho the instructor likely didn’t care or know).

I hope the same is true of these members who were targeted. Anyone who volunteers with cadets gets a plus from me. Anyone who mocks others is already a loser.

[u/longinglywandering → u/Ebowa]

I just want to say - good on you as a group. In my course someone passed the force test and was told by the course Sgt that they didn't deserve to be there and that he didn't want them to graduate with the course. Brutal.

[u/NOBOOTSFORYOU → u/longinglywandering]

What a POS.

[u/turbokimchi]

Good attitude on the issue. There was a time we would speak to each other personally and present a unified front on everything else. Let’s not all be blades and feed the fire when someone attacks one of our own.

[u/InflationRegular180]

Good vibes here. If people have a problem with their staff's fitness, do mandatory PT with them supported by appropriate resources and support them professionally. Cutting people down on social media is dumb.

[u/ipokesnails]

We need to support each other, but it's also worth pointing out the hypocrisy of Hegseth's tweet, since the president is clearly morbidly obese.

[u/Bartholomewtuck → u/ipokesnails]

And there is video of this guy unable to do a single pull-up or lock out a set of 25lb dumbbells above his head. insert something about a glass house here

[u/The_NorthernLight]

If its the picture Im thinking of, its actually of Cadets. Teens. If you feel the need to make fun of them, you don’t belong in the CAF at all.

[u/cribbageSTARSHIP → u/The_NorthernLight]

I've said it once on this sub, and I'll say it again now:

It doesn't matter if you're a cyborg. You can get voted off the island for a bad attitude.

[u/Eyre4orce → u/The_NorthernLight]

I dont think the maj is a teen

[u/The_NorthernLight → u/Eyre4orce]

I guess I don’t know which picture you are referring to then.

[u/anoeba → u/The_NorthernLight]

It's the picture, but he's mocking the adult volunteer (cadet officer), not the child (cadet) getting the award.

That's who people are concerned about. And frankly with good cause given that such a tweet could result in her being ID'd and slammed with horrible troll messages.

[u/RCAF_orwhatever → u/anoeba]

To be honest given that is Hegseth he may have been making fun of both.

[u/Canadian-Galician → u/The_NorthernLight]

The officer is a cadet instructor, part of the reserves. The other individual is a cadet.

[u/Charming-Resort4448]

Hope you all keep this same energy when it comes to supporting and interacting with that one Instagram meme page that  intentionally and blatantly bullies our brothers and sisters in arms allowing horrid comments about your fellow service members. 

[u/Gryphontech → u/Charming-Resort4448]

There's a reason I'm not on Instagram... that and because I'm too old for that shit

[u/NuclearDeadline]

100% agree. We gotta take care of each other, and band together to support one another. That's one of the first things that should've been instilled in all of us when we joined.

[u/Plagmar]

It's so sad when people look past what is actually happening and concentrate on something negative in a picture. I made a plaque for someone retiring after being in the reserves for many years and was sent a picture of him receiving the plaque. Most comments were positive but one a-hole chose to fat shame him.

I support my Brothers and Sisters fully and completely! A brother just passed through here on his way back home, doing a cross country solo EV journey to raise money for Veterans. On his way back, we gave him a bed to sleep in, a nice meal and a warm reception even though we'd never met but 'knew' each other from FB. This is what has to happen, support and have each other's backs.

IGY6

[u/Wrong-Pineapple39]

Are you referring to an adult foreign official belittling a Canadian child?

Or the Canadian veteran account belittling a Canadian child that the foreign adult reposted first?

[u/HopOnHer69]

Toxic positivity is as bad as any kind of shaming

[u/Keaterupnorth]

Making fun of people, bullying, is always wrong. As was this post. But the heart of it, is that no one in uniform should be out of shape. Caring for your team is also helping them get fit and live a better lifestyle

[u/Mission_Effect4584 → u/Keaterupnorth]

Sure, and if this person was under my command I would approach them privately about what resources they would require to be in the best physical condition they can achieve. 

Dragging them on Twitter is not providing that support in any capacity. 

[u/Keaterupnorth → u/Mission_Effect4584]

Agreed!

[u/Ebowa → u/Keaterupnorth]

Ahem…Honourary Colonel in uniform has entered the chat

[u/Keaterupnorth → u/Ebowa]

Incorrect, ive been out for over a decade. Ex infantry and Afghan Vet. I dont agree with that post nor do I agree with bullying. My comment was on standards, professionalism and representing the uniform well. Apparently that is offensive to this new age army.

[u/Hedonistic_Ent → u/Keaterupnorth]

No, its because your original comment in this thread lacked tact and knowing the proper timing for when to mention fitness being important, that's all man.

[u/Own_Firefighter9433 → u/Keaterupnorth]

Congratulations for stating the obvious. I’m sure nobody thought about fitness standards at all.

[u/turbokimchi → u/[deleted]]

For someone out there running one of the only effective community outreach programs we have there is probably very little self-patting occurring.

[u/bridger713 → u/turbokimchi]

This. Most out of shape people know they are out of shape, and they're not proud of it.

Most of the time obesity is not pure laziness. There's usually an underlying physical or mental/emotional health issue getting in the way.

That physical or mental health issue is often invisible to an outside observer.

They're unhealthy in areas that extend beyond physical fitness. They need compassion and help, not scorn and ridicule.

I'd argue that people who default to scorn and ridicule as a method of motivation are themselves mentally/emotionally unhealthy.

[u/CanadianForces-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Rule 1 - General Conduct

Civility, Courtesy, and Politeness are expected within r/CanadianForces.

Disrespectful, hateful, harassing, and discriminatory commentary is unacceptable. As is commentary aimed at doxxing, shaming, or mocking others (e.g. trolling, stolen valour, dumb antics, trade/element/reservist/cadet bashing, etc.).

A post or comment may be removed if it's considered in violation of r/CanadianForces rules or Reddit site-wide policies. https://redditinc.com/policies/reddit-rules

[u/rocketstar11]

This thread is not confidence inspiring.

You are in the military, are you going to cry to reddit about your feelings being hurt if you get shot at in wartime or in conflict?

Hit the gym and focus on your jobs.

[u/Cafmbr2000 → u/rocketstar11]

She is a COATS. They don't do FORCE Test, they don't have the same regulation as PRes or Reg. I agree that the ''CAF'' should be more fit than average population because of what we are called to do, but in this case their job is to work with youth and they teach them a lot, making them good citizen for the community etc..

[u/ononeryder → u/rocketstar11]

If you can't acknowledge the significance of being single out by the SoD and made international news, you should probably get back to whatever menial task you were put on by a more senior Pte.

[u/Stone_Engine048 → u/[deleted]]

He's not just some r/canadianforces member who feels empowered by fat shaming someone, he's the US secretary of defence. It's appropriate to call out his fucked up behaviour.

Having your picture thrust into a public circus by a high ranking member of a foreign government goes beyond "learning to be mentally resilient".

[u/MoistyCockBalls → u/Stone_Engine048]

It's appropriate to call out his fucked up behaviour.

Who cares. Their whole administration is made up of bunch of clowns. Responding to it just makes them stronger. I am convinced they thrive on this shit.

[u/conanap → u/MoistyCockBalls]

We do have to respond though, imagine how another member might feel if they see there’s no support for them coming

[u/Gryphontech → u/[deleted]]

Me: "We should care of eachother especially when a single member is being targeted by a political adversary"

You: "nop she should just get fucked"

Why are you like this? Where is your compassion or decency for a sweet lady taking care of kids?

[u/This_Television2467 → u/Gryphontech]

I’d also like to point out when in a wartime situation it’s not one person facing down the entirety of the enemy force. There are supports in place to help the members in achieving the desired outcome. One photo out in the social media wilds is the complete opposite, being “mentally resilient” is pretty difficult when hundreds of people if not thousands are bashing you online, affecting both your work life and personal life. This comment just shows how out of fucking touch some people are.

[u/MoistyCockBalls → u/Gryphontech]

You: "nop she should just get fucked"

🤨 When did I say this?

Telling someone to brush off a comment and move on, isn't "get fucked".

It's my version of "should care of each other".

[u/Gryphontech → u/MoistyCockBalls]

When sec def is publicly going after a specific member based on their physical appearance and you say "brush it off and eat less jallepeno poppers" it's essentially telling that person to get fucked.

It's just as heartless as telling a combat veteran with ptsd to "just get over it and stop being scared of fireworks". Hopefully you are never put in a situation where you need the compassion of the general public like this member is

[u/Euro_verbudget → u/[deleted]]

Quite the opposite. That tweet is rallying us. Good on OP to post about support and positivity.

[u/idiedin2019 → u/[deleted]]

what a stupid comment.

[u/MoistyCockBalls → u/idiedin2019]

Why

[u/bridger713 → u/[deleted]]

Yes, call out unprofessionalism, but do it in a professional manner, otherwise you're just another hypocrite.

There is nothing professional about shame and ridicule as a method of highlighting an issue.

[u/Silver-Problem-3536 → u/[deleted]]

You should really remove the morale tech you have with your name.

[u/NOBOOTSFORYOU → u/Silver-Problem-3536]

Not everyone is good at what they do.

[u/kewee_ → u/[deleted]]

"Respect the Dignity of All Persons"

I highly suggest you reread Trusted to Serve and reflect on your comment.

Those persons are currently being caught up in a nationwide media event started by an imminent foreign state actor and have their faces plastered all over the place right now.

Do you honestly think what you're suggesting is appropriate? How do you think those persons feels right now?

I wish them well and they have all my support. I suggest you do the same. 

[u/CorporalWithACrown → u/[deleted]]

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/cadets-junior-canadian-rangers/cjcr-policy/catos/volume2/24-04/24-04-b.html

The fitness standard for CIC members does not include minimums or maximums for weight or weight.