Sergeant Who Posed Nude Taken Off Duty
By ELIZABETH WHITE
AP
SAN ANTONIO (Feb. 15) - An Air Force drill sergeant who posed nude for Playboy magazine has been removed from active duty, she and the Air Force said Wednesday. Michelle Manhart, who appeared in a six-page spread in Playboy's February issue, said she got word Friday that she was removed from "extended active duty" and was also told that she was demoted from staff sergeant to senior airman.
"I'm disappointed in our system," Manhart told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "They went too far with it."
Manhart said that she was reverted to her Air National Guard status and that she submitted a "resignation" to the Guard, which she said is pending. Manhart was a member of the Iowa Air National Guard before going on extended active duty.
Oscar Balladares, a spokesman for Lackland Air Force Base, confirmed that Manhart was removed from extended active duty Friday but said Lackland did not discharge her.
"She was removed from active duty status, and thus reverted to National Guard status," Balladares said. "It is not up to the Air Force -- it is not our jurisdiction to discharge her."
Lt. Col. Greg Hapgood, a spokesman for the Iowa National Guard, said that because the Guard did not have "documentation of her separation" from the Air Force, it did not have her on duty status.
2007-02-15 02:23:06 · 16 answers · asked by marnefirstinfantry 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
dude, i have no problem with members of our armed forces posing naked. The thing i think pissed alot of people off was that she tried to use her uniform as part of the act. I think her uniform was like cut up to make it look sexier. That disrespects the uniform, therefore I think that they had every right to do that.
2007-02-15 02:27:44 · answer #1 · answered by arkainisofphoenix 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The military is a joke right now. And they had no right demoting her.
They are lowering their standards for recruits to the point where they are accepting more criminals (felons, people who have assaulted others, ect...). An U.S. official was even quoted saying that the best and brightest Americans go into the military. That couldn't be further from the truth. Hypocrisies like this lesson our current military's credibility even more.
Also, if the people under her will not respect her as much, or listen to her order as much, or she now has a greater chance of being sexually harassed, then what does that tell us about the discipline of our military? She would have still been their superior.
2007-02-15 02:37:45 · answer #2 · answered by Marcus S 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes and no.
From a personal viewpoint, I have to say that they went too far. She was in her off time, doing what she wanted to do, and she broke no laws. She did not, from what I understand, display any part of her uniform (no snide comments, please), so that is also ruled out.
On the professional side, they didn't do enough. She is a leader. Her airman need to look up to her, and not have in their tiny little minds the pictures that are now posted around the world. She cannot effectively lead her troops now that this is public. She will have no respect from them, nor from her leadership. Someone will attempt, probably repeatedly, to sexually harrass, if not assault her because of this.
Of course, I AM going to go and buy this issue.
2007-02-15 02:57:48 · answer #3 · answered by My world 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No.
She was a Drill Instructor. They are charged to uphold a standard far above any other Soldier in the service. They are the ones set in place to mold incomming troops into disciplined Soldiers.
She should be removed from service.
How can she even enforce ONE standard now that she has performed below many standards?
She got what she deserved and she needs to leave service without an Honorable Discharge.
2007-02-15 02:32:21 · answer #4 · answered by Q-burt 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
She's HOT! I saw those pictures and man, what a babe.
Yes, they did overreact. Those here (like the first answerer) who claim it's because she used the uniform are BS-ing. That's pure BS. Fact if, the US government still thinks of sex as filthy as the body as an impure, indecent, evil thing. Look how they went nuts over the Janet Jackson incident, or any nudity or sex on TV and movies. They're afraid of sex and nudity; terrified, phobic, scared. That's why she was let go: she "desecreated" herself with nudity.
How about this acid test: let's see if they'll keep any other Air Force babe on the force if she poses nude WITHOUT her fatigues. But wait, that's not gonna happen, because they made an example out of this one.
2007-02-15 02:44:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
Dude,
You have never served or you wouldn't be asking a question like that. She could have posed for Hustler if she wanted to --off duty but you DON'T disgrace the uniform of the United States Armed Forces--period.
2007-02-15 02:32:56 · answer #6 · answered by aiminhigh24u2 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
The military tries to show that it has high standards and is run by conserative people. Running around nude and having your picture taken isn't to their high standards. The high standards do allow for high ranking people to sexaualy abusve lower ranking personal until the numbers be come so high that the general public finds out. If they can keep it in house they will, but once it comes out they have got to do something.
2007-02-15 02:48:07 · answer #7 · answered by rastus7742 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
No the Army was correct in their decision.
She showed a lack of judgment and lack of respect for the military and the uniform she wears.
She was after one thing - the almighty dollar. Greed is the downfall of man and woman alike.
2007-02-15 02:33:24 · answer #8 · answered by Akkita 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It wasnt so much that she posed, but the fact that her uniform is in the pictures.
2007-02-15 05:13:26 · answer #9 · answered by mpwife_99 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No they did not over react at all. Especially being a (the proper term is TI Training Instructor ) this NCO should have known better. I have no sympathy for her.
USAF Veteran
2007-02-15 02:28:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 2⤋