The Army's top enlisted soldier has stepped up to defend the actions of a senior NCO who reported unprofessional soldier behavior online — and then later received an Army Commendation Medal for her actions.
Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler, in a statement to Army Times, stressed the responsibility of soldiers, especially leaders, to uphold high standards and regulation, no matter the venue.
"When we raise our hand and become Soldiers, we accept many responsibilities. One of them is to uphold the high standards that the American people expect of us — and that's 24/7," Chandler said. "When we say or do things that bring discredit to the Army, even when we are out of uniform or doing it online, we've failed in those responsibilities and that undermines the trust that the American people and our elected leaders have in all of us."
First Sgt. Katrina Moerk, of Charlie Company, 741st Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Meade, Maryland, received an ARCOM and compliments from top Pentagon officials after withstanding an avalanche of online abuse and threats.
The initial insults came nearly a year ago, when she criticized an online video that lampooned barracks life, but also contained an offensive female soldier character named "Suzy Rottencrotch."
"I was absolutely appalled and disgusted. This is what would be portrayed to the Army, to prospects, to future soldiers, to other nations," Moerk said in an official Army video titled "Confronting Unethical Conduct on Social Media."
The Center for the Army Profession and Ethic is distributing Moerk's video interview about the incident in hopes of educating and inspiring other soldiers
Moerk was able to identify and contact soldiers who were either involved in the video or who made offensive comments, and also notified the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention office at the Pentagon.
Her report triggered three investigations that spanned three major commands, according to a Defense Department news release. The investigations involved those who made the video and those who made inappropriate comments, the release said.
After her Dec. 15 award ceremony garnered media coverage, online forums have lit up with posts mocking her actions as well as the Army's decision to award her a medal for them.
