Interesting local controversy. A kid that has enlisted in the USMC wants to wear a non-sanctioned patriotic tassel, even though school rules are very clear that graduation is about official high school achievements only. After the principal said no they took it to the school board and now it’s in the press.
1. The kid is going to be an enlisted grunt in the Marine Corp. He probably needs to get over this thing about questioning authority sooner rather than later.
2. He hasn’t accomplished anything at all. He signed a piece of a paper. He could be deferred, he could wash out of Basic due to medical issues, he could get scared and go AWOL. So he wants special recognition for signing his name? Graduating from Basic is an accomplishment. Serving out your term honorably is an accomplishment. Serving 20+ years and retiring is a huge accomplishment. Signing the paper is not an accomplishment.
3. The kid has joined the United States Marine Corp. Maybe it’s time for Mommy to stop fighting his battles for him? (Hat tip to Nance for that snark.)
4. If the special tassel is that important, he can carry it in his pocket and put it on his cap after graduation for pictures. This obsession with individual recognition is sort of unbecoming for a future Marine. This is something that the good guys at Parris Island will get to teach him in a few months.
High school graduation is about high school achievements. Period. I totally support the principal’s decision here. It’s not high school related, and it’s not even an accomplishment. I respect his decision to serve the country, but I suspect when he gets to Parris Island the friendly guys there will make it quite evident that he hasn’t accomplished squat; until he walks out as an United States Marine.
