When in uniform...

[RiflemanPhil]

What does one do when one is in uniform and is being harrassed. For example, civilians around you mocking yourself, the army and vets, and pulling your beret and flags off, or spitting on you. What actions can one take in these situations?

 

[armyvern]

Spitting on you? Well they'd really deserve a nice quick throat punch....but then again.. you're in uniform.
I'd wager a bet an assault charge by the local authorities would stick.

After all, imagine if they spit on the police, grabbed them etc?

 

[RiflemanPhil]

So basically once they spit than you can charge them, but anything else, like the beret and flags and  stuff-->just suck it up? Damn shame that this country is so disrespectful. I don't mind the stuff to me as much as insulting the veterans. There are definetely times I would love to create laws making pacifism illegal

 

[George Wallace]

In most cases just ignore them.  However, when it comes to their grabbing your kit or parts of your uniform, there will be some allowances within the Law.  You are, like any 'Citizen', allowed to defend yourself within the confines of the Law.  You could perform a 'Citizen's Arrest' should it be warranted.  You may want to read up on "Unlawful Detainment" and "Use of Force", to keep yourself out of jail.   

 

[Part-Timer]

I know a guy who this happened to. He was spat upon by a large group of "peace protesters" who also uttered death threats to him. He did the smart thing, and walked away (he was by himself). Armyvern is right, though. If you can ID the individuals, then a call to the police is definitely in order. Keep your chain of command informed, too.

 

[RiflemanPhil]

Alright, will do, thanks

 

[Carbon-14]

Is that a hypothetical situation or did that actually happen??  I've never experienced anything like that, infact quite the opposite.

I think if you have to go anywhere in uniform try to go in groups.  People that would do something like at are usually cowards and act quite differently when they're outnumbered

 

[combat_medic]

I've never been spat on, but have had people throw stuff at my car, shout "baby killer" at me, or just generally be verbally abusive (it was worse when I used to take public transit to Reserves). I've noticed it's only here in Vancouver though. Everywhere else I've been with the military, they've been very positive. As far as dealing with it, short of assault, which hasn't happened, I usually just ignore it or laugh about it.

 

[Freddy Chef]

Assault is any unwanted contact/touching, or projectile, spitting inclusive. For assault, get the police involved, soonest. To communicate that a suspect's behaviour is unwanted; a "NO!" in your best parade square voice, is effective.

If the suspect continues, in spite of your communications, "use of force to stop an assault" is within the Criminal Code of Canada. armyvern's what "they'd really deserve" is an effective way of "stopping" a suspect, ruining the shine on your toe cap, by kicking a suspect in the groin, is also an effective way of "stopping" them.

You'll just have to explain to the police, and your unit's chain of command, your circumstance (and the method of "stopping them", should you choose that option).

 

[armyvern]

armyvern's what "they'd really deserve" is an effective way of "stopping" a suspect, ruining the shine on your toe cap, by kicking a suspect in the groin, is also an effective way of "stopping" them.
You'll just have to explain to the police, and your unit's chain of command, your circumstance (and the method of "stopping them", should you choose that option).

I think if he went with the step 2 (after ensuring he proceeds with step 1 "NO!!") that you have suggested, I suggest that'd I'd have a pretty easy time justifying the free replacement of his shoes at Clothing Stores!!  ;D

 

[Tpr.Orange]

Ive had the name calling and the insults but never a finger laid on me or spit for that matter. In toronto the reaction to the forces is mixed. Im not going to say everyone out there is disrespectful. Infact its quite the opposite but like many situations there are a couple of bad seeds that ruin the setting. Usually if the person makes a verbal threat.. Ill raise my voice to let them know im not taking their "joke" lightly and if the continue i attempt to walk away and if that doesn't work, police involvement and if it becomes a physical threat, I'll do whatever it takes to protect myself, my family, and my fellow troops.

What area are you located in if you dont mind me asking?

 

[JBP]

You're allowed to "defend yourself" physically if someone is acting "in a threatening manner" and in you're personal space. So if they're even threatening any physical violence and come close to you, techincally you can push them away, give them a whack etc... But that's a very large grey area... And you know how the press is with the military!!!

You can only claim self defence if you only engage in physical violence to end the situation, and not pursue it. In otherwords, punch them once if they touch you, DON'T punch again, unless they punch you etc... Always remember, warn them verbally and clearly several times and DURING you're choice of action that they are to cease and desist thier harrassing actions towards you.

Anyway,

Joe
PS> Goodluck! Avoid the area you ran into them last if possible...

 

[RiflemanPhil]

Ya this did happen to me, i'm in the r wpg rif, and was taking transit to the armoury, some native teens. Some other white people were jokin around and stuff too though. Unfortunately can't id them

 

[PPCLI Guy]

Some punks were dissing me once on the subway in TO - which suprised me, because I am a rather large fellow.  I simply said rather loudly that "if they weren't going to respect the uniform, they might want to respect the fact that I am big enough and mean enough to rip out their hearts and shit in the hole".  They moved to the other end of the subway car, and another civilian offered me a seat...

Dave

 

[Slim]

I can just imagine you doing that too! ;D

Hats off to you sir!

Slim

 

[Infanteer]

Now -that- was a good one.  :cheers:

 

[armyvern]

Yes very good. I would have liked to be a witness to that!!

 

[Danjanou]

Good one boss, I can just see you doing that too

(For those who have yet to have the privledge of meeting him, PPCLI guy is rather large, kind of like a grizzly bear in a rugby shirt.)

 

[Conquistador]

Good show PPCLI Guy.

This info may have came in useful awhile ago. I was in cadets at the time, anly about 13-14, and had to transfer busses in downtown Hamilton to get to my corps. For about every 10 people who game me weired stares, there was one who actually went out of their day to mock me. I just laughed it off, from the look of them, they had the IQ no greater than a kidney stone.

A more serious incident happened when I finished volunteering for the Around The Bay 30K roadrace, and I was in my combats. I was walking to the bus in the downtown core, when some crazy dude just totally flipped out when he saw me, and started yelling something about how people look after "military men" but not for him.

It's kinda sad, really.

 

[RiflemanPhil]

I agree, it is upsetting that with such a beautiful country all the citizens cannot behave like good citizens should