Name: Confederate battle flag would be banned at all DoD sites under House plan
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Confederate battle flag would be banned at all DoD sites under House plan

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A Confederate Navy jack flag sits at the base of Confederate Mound, a memorial to more than 4,000 Confederate prisoners of war who died in captivity, in Chicago. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)A week after from service installations, a House panel approved plans to prohibit the symbol at all military locations.On Wednesday, as part of the House Armed Services Committee’s debate over the , lawmakers passed without objection language that would “prohibit the public display of the Confederate battle flag at all Department of Defense property.”The proposal, introduced by Iraq War veteran , D-Md., includes exceptions for museum exhibits, state-approved license plates and grave sites of Confederate soldiers.RELATED“We certainly have some ideas on the best ways to do this, whether its the symbology of certain things or taking a look at what the names of certain posts should be,” said Gen. James McConville, the Army chief of staff.But the ban would encompass military work spaces, break rooms, living quarters, bumper stickers and personal apparel. Individuals could face punishment for disobeying the order.The move comes amid debate over public debate over lingering symbols from the Confederacy, and whether their continued use represents racial intolerance or historic respect.In the last month, both the Navy and , saying the move was made to “ensure unit cohesion, preserve good order and discipline, and uphold of honor, courage and commitment.”Officials at a few days later. Commander Army Gen. Robert Abrams said in a statement that even though “some might view it as a symbol of regional pride, many others in our force see it as a painful reminder of hate, bigotry, treason and a devaluation of humanity … we cannot have that division among us.”Army officials said they are reviewing the issue, but have not yet moved to fully ban the symbol. Air Force officials have not made any changes on the issue in recent weeks.If the new congressional proposal becomes law, it would force those services and all Defense Department personnel to dump the symbol.RELATEDWednesday's defense authorization bill debate in the House will feature several proposals aimed at diversity and discrimination in the ranks.But the authorization bill still faces a long legislative road before it is finalized. The flag provision must survive upcoming bill negotiations with Senate leaders in coming weeks, and be approved by both the full House and Senate before heading to the president to be signed into law.On Wednesday, Trump threatened to veto the authorization bill — which contains hundreds of provisions on military pay, equipment purchase priorities and department reforms — if lawmakers included language mandating changing the names of military bases honoring Confederate leaders, such as Fort Bragg in North Carolina and Fort Hood in Texas.Senate lawmakers included the name change proposal in their early draft of the legislation, but are expected to debate the idea on the full chamber floor in coming days. House Armed Services Committee members were expected to debate that idea later on Wednesday.Leo covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He has covered Washington, D.C. since 2004, focusing on military personnel and veterans policies. His work has earned numerous honors, including a 2009 Polk award, a 2010 National Headliner Award, the IAVA Leadership in Journalism award and the VFW News Media award.Share:Tags: Eight Office of Navy Intelligence shipmates lost their lives during the terrorist attack at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.A commission compiling a list of Defense Department items named after Confederates is due to make its final recommendations to Congress by Oct. 1.New details about 1st Lt. David Schmitz's death have come to light in a federal civil lawsuit filed by his wife against three defense companies.Applicants for the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program can now apply for information warfare communities.Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth shared areas the Army must improve for its future combat needs.Featured VideoTrending Now

A Confederate Navy jack flag sits at the base of Confederate Mound, a memorial to more than 4,000 Confederate prisoners of war who died in captivity, in Chicago. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)A week after from service installations, a House panel approved plans to prohibit the symbol at all military locations.On Wednesday, as part of the House Armed Services Committee’s debate over the , lawmakers passed without objection language that would “prohibit the public display of the Confederate battle flag at all Department of Defense property.”The proposal, introduced by Iraq War veteran , D-Md.,...

Confederate battle flag would be banned at all DoD sites under House plan

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