US Soldier Tariqka Sheffey Criticized for Avoiding Flag Salute in Instagram Photo
A Colorado soldier is receiving criticism for posting a photo to social media that shows her intentionally avoiding a salute to the American flag.
Officials at Fort Carson, Colo., have issued a statement, saying they are investigating an Instagram post from Pfc. Tariqka Sheffey, who recently uploaded a selfie to the social media site, saying that it was a photo of her lying in the back of a car to avoid the routine 5 p.m. flag salute at the base.
"This is me laying back in my car hiding so I don't have to salute the 1700 flag, KEEP ALL YOUR 'THATS SO DISRESPECTFUL/HOWRUDE/ETC.' COMMENTS TO YOURSELF cuz, right now, IDGAFFFF," Sheffey's post read. The last part of her statement is an acronym for the saying "I don't give an [expletive.]"
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Fort Carson post spokesperson Dee McNutt told the Army Times that officials are looking into the situation regarding Sheffey, who is the lowest private in a chain of command, providing supplies to other soldiers. "The chain of command is aware and looking into the situation. That's really all I can say at this point," McNutt told the outlet.
As NBC News points out, Sheffey posted a video to her Facebook account Tuesday night thanking those who supported her after she posted the photo. Sheffey's social media accounts received a rash of criticism for the photo, with some calling for her to be removed from the service for what they say was an insensitive gesture.
"I seriously just want to say thank you to everybody who stood up for me today, like seriously. That s--- to me was not that serious. I am not a disrespectful soldier and I really appreciate you all," she said. Sheffey's photo has been removed from her Instagram account since the uproar began, but the Army Times, the first outlet to report on the story, managed to capture the photo before it was removed.
The Department of Defense Uniform Code of Military Justice states that in regard to social media posts, soldiers must not post any photos or comments that could reflect negatively on the army. "It is important that all soldiers know that once they log on to a social media platform, they still represent the Army. The best way to think about it is, if you wouldn't say it in formation or to your leader's face, don't say it online," the manual warns. "Soldiers using social media need to know that the enemy is watching,"
Sheffey's Instagram photo comes on the heels of another social media controversy in the U.S. military. Earlier this month, several members of the Army National Guard were criticized for posing next to an empty coffin draped in an American flag.
