Leaders must OK exceptions (Okinawa)

[unhappycamper]

Leaders must OK exceptions
Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Friday, February 22, 2008

Throughout Wednesday, American Forces Network aired an address by Marine Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer concerning the restriction to bases, directing personnel to their commanders for further instructions and clarification of the order.

“You will be getting specific direction from your military chain of command regarding the details of this period of reflection,” Zilmer said. “I am asking for your full support during this period so we can re-establish the trust and confidence our Japanese hosts intuitively have in us.”

The general’s action was the main topic of conversation on bases all day as personnel wondered how long it will last and what will come next. However, Stars and Stripes reporters were barred by Marine and Air Force officials from conducting interviews on the bases regarding the ban.

Staff Sgt. Kenya N. Shiloh, a Kadena Air Base spokeswoman, said personnel were told they could participate in previously scheduled off-base activities. For example, the Okinawa Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, will go on as planned, she said. Part of the course goes through Kadena.

Later in the day a Marine spokesman clarified such exceptions.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=52672

[MADem]

1. The people who live off base don't have to deal with this, though

the 'edict' sort of suggests that they're "restricted" to their homes--how in hell they enforce that, who knows?

Typical knee-jerk bullshit. Punish EVERYONE for the actions of a few jerks. And, sorry to say, the jerks are almost ALWAYS USMC, and they're often assigned to that boondocks base up north. It seems as though those folks need to do a better, perhaps more continuous, job of "orientation" and "cultural awareness" training with those clowns, instead of inconveniencing everyone at several facilities scattered around the island.

What fun--everyone gets to "reflect" on how a couple of poorly-supervised ASSHOLES who should be tossed to the Japanese justice system can fuck up their tour of duty:

The restriction, which began 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, was imposed "due to alleged off-base misconduct by servicemembers within the few days following the Marine Corps Ethics and Leadership Stand Down, which was held Feb 14-15," according to the Marine Corps Bases Japan release.

During this time, personnel on Okinawa "will be limited to their place of duty or employment, worship, education, or medical or dental treatment," according to the statement.

"There is no restriction to regularly scheduled activities and facilities aboard any U.S. bases or installations," it announced. Personnel living off-base are allowed to travel between their homes and their bases via privately owned vehicles, military supported transportation, or commercial taxis.

There was no timeline on the new restriction. A Marine spokesman said it would be in effect "until further notice."

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=52638