By Anders Hagstrom | Fox News
The official Facebook page for the U.S. Navy SEALs and Naval Special Warfare Command was mocked this weekend for marking the start of “pride month.”
Backlash to the post surged when it was highlighted on the popular “Libs of TikTok” page on X, formerly known as Twitter. The post had no caption and included a photo with rainbow designs that read, “NSW. Dignity. Service. Respect. Equality. Pride.”
The Navy Seals have gone woke. Our elite special forces. This is terrifying. pic.twitter.com/9FRsSDx4mP
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 2, 2024
Libs of TikTok shared the post to X on Saturday, writing, “The Navy SEALs have gone woke. Our elite special forces. This is terrifying.”
The special warfare account took steps to limit the accounts that can comment on their post, suggesting administrators knew it would be controversial.
The comment section was nevertheless full of criticism.
“This is a slap in the face of every special warfare operator that has put their lives on the line for our nation,” one person wrote.
“Man this woke s— is like a cancer and needs to be handled and dealt with as a threat to national security. Gone way too far,” another person said.
Not every comment was critical, however, with some users saying the post was positive.
Social media accounts for the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Space Force made no mention of Pride month on Saturday.
The incident comes after the Department of Defense (DoD) appeared to mix up Pride Month and PTSD Awareness Month in a social media post on Saturday.
In an X post published on Saturday afternoon, the Pentagon explained that June marks PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Awareness Month. The commemorative month was first recognized by the U.S. government in June 2014, a year before June also officially became Pride Month.
“June is PTSD Awareness Month and the DoD is committed to supporting service members and veterans affected by PTSD,” the post read.
“If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available,” the DoD added. “You are not alone.”
But the picture attached to the post read “Celebrate Pride Month 2024” with a Progress Pride Flag graphic. The tweet was later deleted and replaced with a PTSD Awareness Month graphic.
💙🇺🇸 Charting a course for equality. Celebrate with the #USNavy this #PrideMonth! ⚓ pic.twitter.com/B77qWaXBd9
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) June 3, 2024
I’m retired Navy. I’ve flown an American flag at every house I’ve lived in my entire adult life.
This evening, that will change.
I can no longer fly the American flag because, in my opinion, it implies tacit support for where we are as a country. pic.twitter.com/NE6q1oNFPU
— Dick Shivers (@OldSalt68) June 2, 2024
I have not been this ashamed of my community since the Eddie Gallagher case.
What was once a legendary community and an honor to be a part of is now nothing but an embarrassment.
When I was in it was about the country and defending it, none of this nonsense was ever on the… pic.twitter.com/C0hLEHkKOU— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyan762) June 5, 2024
This Pride Month, we thank LGBTQ+ Service members for their contributions to our national security. As Secretary of Defense, I remain dedicated to making sure that our LGBTQ personnel across the Joint Force can continue to serve with dignity and respect. We applaud your service –… pic.twitter.com/hs61oK6lzR
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) June 3, 2024
Pride Month is a time to come together to honor the contributions of LGBTQ+ service members. We are committed to ensuring and promoting an atmosphere of dignity and respect for all civilian and military personnel. pic.twitter.com/RyGTDBjUcN
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) June 1, 2024
DoD 13th Annual LGBTQ+ Pride Event
Ex-US Navy Seal rages as force goes WOKE with Pride message: ‘Degrading their service!’ (GBN News)
Expert: Military’s Pride Posts ‘Prioritize the Trivial to the Detriment of the Significant’ (Washington Stand)
. . . . Lt. Gen. (Ret.) William G. Boykin, Family Research Council’s executive vice president, wasn’t surprised by the military’s Pride Month posts. He shared with The Washington Stand, “The negative comments regarding the support for Pride Month reflect the deep-seated sentiments of these sailors and other military personnel regarding the value of this woke program that exists in all the services.”
Boykin continued, “In a world like the one that we live in today, war is inevitable — and being ready for war is the responsibility of all our military leaders. I have not found anyone who can explain how this focus on the LGBT agenda is going to enhance the readiness of our armed forces.”
The general added, “I personally applaud those that have the courage to say what they believe, as their expressions reflect the sentiments of the majority of people serving in our military today.”
According to Joseph Backholm, FRC’s senior fellow for Biblical Worldview and Strategic Engagement, the posts reveal a lot about the priorities of the military’s leadership. “This is yet another reminder that our current national leadership prioritizes the trivial to the detriment of the significant,” he shared with TWS.
“In theory,” he continued, “you can maintain military readiness while also posting silly and false things on social media. But we’ve seen plenty of other evidence that politics have caused our military to take their eye off the ball.”
Ultimately, Backholm emphasized, “They make these statements because they believe in the cause” they’re representing. He went on to explain how, in their eyes, “negative responses” serve as fuel that “simply affirms how important it is for them to continue on the path.”
While some of the users that left negative comments wondered why the military supports an agenda many people reject, Backholm noted that, at the end of the day, it’s because the branches promoting it “don’t care that most of the country finds it bothersome and that most of the world finds it offensive.”
Rather, he observed, “They have no doubt they are correct” in backing it. Backholm concluded, “They believe they are defending the oppressed and anyone who disagrees with them are one of the oppressors.”
Dr. Jordan Peterson airs Pride Month grievances
Leave a Comment