"Army investigating members allegedly involved in 'abhorrent' Facebook group"

[Halifax Tar]

I'm surprised this hasn't come up. Its been all over social media and even the MSM.

It could probably also go in multiple threads. MODs feel fee to move around.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/army-racist-antisemitic-group-chat-blue-hackle-mafia-1.7576305

 

[The Bread Guy]

Ooopsie …

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/army-racist-antisemitic-group-chat-blue-hackle-mafia-1.7576305

 

[dapaterson]

A dedicated thread has been started. Thank you for flagging this.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Ooopsie …

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/army-racist-antisemitic-group-chat-blue-hackle-mafia-1.7576305

View attachment 94428

Coincidentally...

 

[The Bread Guy]

A dedicated thread has been started. Thank you for flagging this.

Missed it checking on my phone - thanks!

 

[Kilted]

Cameron Highlander of Ottawa, or Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders?

 

[The Bread Guy]

Bit more MSM coverage ....

Military police investigating Facebook page filled with racism, misogyny

OTTAWA — Military police say they have reopened an investigation into a Facebook group the Canadian Army’s commanding officer describes as “abhorrent.” Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright says he was made aware of allegations about a Facebook group called the “Blue Hackle Mafia” on June 25 and that they...

halifax.citynews.ca

 

[The Bread Guy]

Cameron Highlander of Ottawa, or Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders?

I've seen Ottawa mentioned out & about on the interwebs.

 

[Kilted]

Probably a good time for anyone who moderates any CAF-related Facebook groups to go back through the entire group's history and delete anything that might be controversial, especially for older groups where you may have taken over as the moderator at a later time. I am sure most people have done this, but it never hurts to check that there isn't something hanging around from 2006 (or more recent) that might not be the most appropriate thing, before the wrong people find it.

 

[Jarnhamar]

If it was class A reservists posting these pictures would they fall under the CSD?

 

[dapaterson]

If it was class A reservists posting these pictures would they fall under the CSD?

Short answer: it depends.

 

[Kilted]

If it was class A reservists posting these pictures would they fall under the CSD?

Depends on if they were signed in or not, or on DND property when the posts were made.

 

[dapaterson]

Depends on if they were signed in or not, or on DND property when the posts were made.

Or wearing a uniform, or outside Canada, or... There are a number of legislative and related regulatory issues to consider.

 

[PuckChaser]

If it was class A reservists posting these pictures would they fall under the CSD?

Don't think it matters if the posters are going down the admin measures route.

 

[Staff Weenie]

A few of the pictures show members exposing themselves while in uniform, and in an armoury or training area, so most likely the CSD could apply to these posts.

 

[mariomike]

Current, and potential future, full-time employers might also take an interest.

"Off-duty professional conduct"

 

[MilEME09]

Or wearing a uniform, or outside Canada, or... There are a number of legislative and related regulatory issues to consider.

Really as long as they identify as a CAF member on social media, CSD can apply. If this was a private members only group for a regiment, and being in the regiment was required to get in. The CSD could potentially apply

 

[Staff Weenie]

The impact goes beyond a cluster of idiots in this one unit that are about to feel the wrath of the system.

When I send my troops to support other units, I have always wondered about how well they will be treated. Now, do I need to be concerned about which troops cover this unit in the future? Maybe I can only send straight white men. If not, will they face overt or subtle abuse? These folks have been quite clear on how they perceive certain people.

We currently have a very diverse unit, and I believe it gives us much greater strength and flexibility - we can relate to (and hopefully earn the trust of) patients from many different groups in Canadian society and abroad. I need to keep that going, it's vital ground to our recruiting efforts. As we try hard to grow our unit in Ottawa to match the Res Fd Amb modernization demands, is part of my potential recruiting pool going to walk away because they will think all of the CAF has this mentality? Look around at the local university programs in medicine - they're not all white guys. Maybe I'll lose potential Doctors, Nurses or Paramedics. I know with absolute certainty from personal and recruiting experience that minority groups do give thought to whether the CAF will actually accept them.

 

[The Bread Guy]

… do I need to be concerned about which troops cover this unit in the future? Maybe I can only send straight white men. If not, will they face overt or subtle abuse? …

<sarcasm>Well, according to those who work on these issues, it’s all being worked on. In fact, according to some critics, too much time is being spent on touchy-feely stuff. If only there were an institutionalize system built on hierarchy and all levels of command committed to following orders and working respectfully with peers. </sarcasm>

In all seriousness, you raise good points. I can’t judge an entire system by the actions of a few idiots, but cynics may have a case if they ask after all the work that’s been done, how you still have people who obey orders that risk their lives while not being able to obey “hey, don’t be a dick with your colleagues?”

And without minimizing the idiocy of individual events & their effects, I also realize that like plane crashes, this gets high-heat visibility because hearing about such things is rare. That’s why I can’t judge the whole by the most idiotic parts - although the more idiocy we hear about, the “we have anti-idiocy programs as part of the training” narrative sounds less than fully sincere.

 

[MilEME09]

And without minimizing the idiocy of individual events & their effects, I also realize that like plane crashes, this gets high-heat visibility because hearing about such things is rare. That’s why I can’t judge the whole by the most idiotic parts - although the more idiocy we hear about, the “we have anti-idiocy programs as part of the training” narrative sounds less than fully sincere.

I think it will depend how deep this idiocy goes? To get national level attention i doubt it was just a couple people. If senior leadership is involved in this, I expect the harsh reprocussions for the units command team. If it was lower ranks, imo anyone with a leaf on their chest should have it removed for actions contrary to our Ethos and the profession of arms.

This case, now that its in the media, will be under the microscope for how serious the CAF actually is about culture change.