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Eminently Snerkable.

From an email - I don't believe it's real (but I'd love to know if it *is*) but it's funny because it's plausible at all levels... Gotta admit, it's probably *not* good from a "Hearts and Minds" perspective, but the more bloody minded of you will castigate me for that - just like I got a raspberry for giving CNN the benefit of the doubt.

Reportedly, a Navy Commanding Officer sent this. But probably not.

To: All Commands
Subject: Inappropriate T-Shirts
Ref: ComMidEastFor Inst 16134//24 K

1. All commanders promulgate upon receipt.

2. The following T-shirts are no longer to be worn on or off base by any military or civilian personnel serving in the Middle East:

"Eat Pork Or Die" [both English and Arabic versions]

"Shrine Busters" [Various. Show burning minarets or bomb/artillery shells impacting Islamic shrines. Some with unit logos.]

"Napalm, Sticks Like Crazy" [Both English and Arabic versions]

"Goat - it isn't just for breakfast any more." [Both English and Arabic versions]

"The road to Paradise begins with me." [Mostly Arabic versions but some in English. Some show sniper scope cross-hairs]

"Guns don't kill people. I kill people." [Both Arabic and English versions]

"Pork. The other white meat." [Arabic version]

"Infidel" [English, Arabic and other coalition force languages.]

3. The above T-shirts are to be removed from Post Exchanges upon receipt of this directive.

4. The following signs are to be removed upon receipt of this message:

"Islamic Religious Services Will Be Held at the Firing Range At 0800 Daily."

"Do we really need 'smart bombs' to drop on these dumb bastards?"

5. All commands are instructed to implement sensitivity training upon receipt.

I see the Marines are ahead of the game here - which makes sense, given the Naval source... and it's spreading like wildfire through the shooting community. Hey, we gotta pile on!

And then again, there's this thread at Paratrooper.com, mebbe there is a kernel (or more likely, Colonel-equivalent) in it.

H/t, Rich B.

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3 Comments

Probably bogus for the following reasons: a. A Navy guy would never use "Post Exchanges" - thats Army/AF speak. Navy uses "Navy Exchange", "Exchange", or just "NEX." b. Since Middle East Force includes afloat units, he would have also mentioned stopping sales from Ship's Stores as well. c. The cited instruction isn't in standard Navy format. d. The "To:" line would be addressed differently. E. Etc., etc., the list goes on.
 
If it were real, the author would've been too PC to cite the specific "offensive" items. The 1st Aviation Brigade directive we received in 1969 went something like: "The use of derogatory terminology when referring to the local populace will not be tolerated. All members of this command will henceforth refer to the dinks as indigenous personnel."
 
Fake? Dang! I was going to invest heavily in those T-shirts and make a fortune gouging customers during the coming shortage :-)