MoD probes 'inappropriate term on soldier's uniform

[4me2]

MoD probes 'inappropriate term on soldier's uniform


The picture was printed in January's edition of Soldier

The MoD has launched an investigation after a photograph of a soldier who had an offensive message written on his kit appeared in its official magazine. The serviceman's left kneepad has "Get some Paki" scrawled on it. His picture featured in Soldier magazine alongside a story about new rations for troops.
"An investigation is currently underway to identify the soldier," said the MoD.
Last year, Prince Harry apologised for using offensive language to describe a Pakistani member of his army platoon.
'Racist behaviour'
The picture was printed in January's edition of Soldier, the magazine of the British army published for the UK armed forces by the Ministry of Defence.
Officials airbrushed the online version, but thousands have already been put on sale, with 70,000 sent to serving British troops - many in Afghanistan.
The Ministry of Defence said it was aware of a photograph and an "inappropriate remark" on a soldier's uniform.
"The Army does not tolerate racist behaviour," added the spokesman.
"All those who are found to fall short of the Army's high standards or who are found to have committed an offence under the Armed Forces Act 2006 are dealt with administratively or through the discipline process."
In January 2009, Prince Harry got in trouble after a video diary was published by a national newspaper in which the prince called one of his then Sandhurst colleagues a "Paki".
He said he had used the term as a nickname about a friend and without any malice.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8554242.stm

[doughboy]

My first thought is that the magazine staff have edited the image.

In any case the large white disc on the soldier's knee is far too prominent in that pic, it stands out like a sore thumb. Which is the whole point really.

[tronads]

This does nothing but show what a thick idiot the soldier is. Does he think he is in Pakistan fighting them I wonder ? ( in which case it would be perfectly acceptable to display such a badge, and no different to fighting the "Argies" in the Falkland Island/Argentina).

[Thrush]

I think the term paki is used as a blanket insult, american army soldiers use sand n****rs

or at least that is what the movies tell me.

[4me2]

My first thought is that the magazine staff have edited the image.

In any case the large white disc on the soldier's knee is far too prominent in that pic, it stands out like a sore thumb. Which is the whole point really.

It wasn't written on the white disc as the article lets us sort of believe.






Army hit by new race row - as it prints slur in its own magazine


By Simon Neville
Last updated at 10:04 PM on 06th March 2010

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Ministry of Defence chiefs face embarrassment after a picture of a combat soldier wearing equipment bearing a racially offensive remark was printed in its official magazine.
The image published in Soldier magazine shows his left legpad with the words ‘Get some Paki’ scrawled on it.
Officials airbrushed the online version, but the 90,000 printed copies had already been put on sale, with 70,000 sent to serving British troops – many in Afghanistan.

Offensive: The picture in Soldier magazine, which featured an offensive phrase on the knee pad of a private from the 2nd Battalion

The picture was printed in January’s edition alongside an article about new rations packs for troops.


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The publication, which aims to portray a positive impression of the British Army, is funded, printed and run completely by the MoD.

A close-up of the leg pad shows the racist words highlighted

The soldier in the photograph was identified last night as a private in the 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters).
Sources said that he had been disciplined and ordered not to repeat any similar racist offence in future.
Last night Army officials admitted the mistake, but said the magazine had not been recalled.
However, Colonel Richard Kemp, former commanding officer of British forces in Afghanistan, said: ‘This sort of thing is not acceptable. Racist humour is far from typical of the Army. This type of thing is not the norm.’
The picture is believed to have been taken on a foot patrol in Afghanistan.

The phrase ‘Get Some’ originated during the Vietnam War when US troops were preparing to open fire on the Vietcong. It meant that the Vietcong were about to be killed. Since then, it has become common in the British Army after a long series of joint operations with US forces.
It is not the first time troops have been in trouble for offensive language. In January 2009 Prince Harry, who is a Lieutenant with the Blues and Royals, was caught on camera calling an Asian squaddie ‘our little Paki friend’ and telling another officer cadet ‘you look like a raghead’.
An MoD spokesman said last night: ‘We are aware of a photograph featured in Soldier magazine which shows an inappropriate remark on a soldier’s uniform. The Army does not tolerate racist behaviour.’






Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1256021/Army-hit-new-race-row--prints-slur-magazine.html#ixzz0hcLonmv2