Signatures

[DCC Chris Gazey]

Is this wrong or not???

I got an email from one of my guys today and at the bottom of the email was one of those foolish signature quotes. I normally don't even bother to read them except this one had a couple of big bold words in it and struck my interest. I dont remember the entire thing but the jist of it was about GOD, the LORD and how we should fear our sins or pay the price. Now, I am not a practicing anything, nor do I have a problem with religion but I felt it had no place on a CG email and spoke to him about it. I fear that if it was read by the wrong person it could have been blown out of proportion. Was I wrong in saying anything or should I have let it go?

Chris:confused:

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

Is this wrong or not???

I got an email from one of my guys today and at the bottom of the email was one of those foolish signature quotes. I normally don't even bother to read them except this one had a couple of big bold words in it and struck my interest. I dont remember the entire thing but the jist of it was about GOD, the LORD and how we should fear our sins or pay the price. Now, I am not a practicing anything, nor do I have a problem with religion but I felt it had no place on a CG email and spoke to him about it. I fear that if it was read by the wrong person it could have been blown out of proportion. Was I wrong in saying anything or should I have let it go?

Chris:confused:

Chris, you were absolutely right to do what you did. I am a Chrstian and learned a long time ago that I cannot bring my beliefs into the work place, especially on e-mails.

[MKC Craig Thorngren (Ret)]

Chris,
I think you were right on the money. I'm not aware of any directive concerning quotes on the bottom of emails, but as you said you thought it didn't have any place on a CG email, you talked to the member about it and probably did avoid a confrontation between the member and someone else down the line over it. I'd say it was a job well handled Chief!

Craig

[DCCS Brett Wickett]

Chris, I believe you were correct also. I have done the same thing before. People tend to forget sometimes that their email is a direct representation of the CG, the government and a place of buisness. It does not bothe rme at all to ask someone to remove one of those quotes if it is not in good taste. I have even asked people that I don't know that just sent me an email. Keep up the good Chief work.

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

Chris, like the rest of the Mess that has spoken up here, I agree with your actions and you have our backing. I have in the past and will again if necessary, do the same thing you did. Sorry but it doesn't have a place in our workplace.

[DCC Chris Gazey]

Thanks all, I figured I had it right but figured someone might take the other side of the fence and make this some sort of discrimination thing.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Or...

I've bowed my head in prayer at every change-of-command ceremony I've attended. And,

The Oath of Enlistment ends with "So help me God."

Chris- you are a good Chief for questioning your own actions. Did you act because you believe that religion has no place in our organization (it clearly does)? Or, because you felt the originator was piggy-backing another agenda onto his official email? Or, was there another reason?

How is it that religion can be an acceptable addition in some aspects of the service and not in others?

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

Or...

I've bowed my head in prayer at every change-of-command ceremony I've attended.

How is it that religion can be an acceptable addition in some aspects of the service and not in others?

Well Dennis that is included because no one ever questions why it is. I have upset several members of the Chaplin Corps in my time, when I excluded that from my departure Change of Command ceremonies. I didn't get to make the call coming in, but on the way out it was my boat and thus my call.

[DCC Chris Gazey]

Dennis you raise a good point. I did do knowing that the mbr has a strong religous calling, and drops it in our laps when given the chance. I would not say he preaches to us but you can detect it in the words he uses. Don't get me wrong he is one of the better guys I have and I will serve him as hard as he serves the CG and our unit. If I had to defend him to another I wouold have in a second but would rather stop it from happening...

[AMTCM John Long]

FWIW......I think about the 2000-01ish timeframe an ALCOAST came out addressing SWSIII protocols. There was a list of do's/don'ts for autosigs. I'm vaguely recalling certain religious expressions were on the "don't" list. I'm not sure if all religious expressions were listed. Something like "In God We Trust" might have been acceptable. Please don't quote me on that. I know political, racial, sexual type autosigs were on the don't list.

To take it a step further.....you might see if there is a COMDTINST that addresses computer protocols or etiquittes(sp).

John

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

I'd say there is a big difference between a military "ceremony", and an electronic e-mail...

Chris, I'd say you did the correct thing.

Wray.. :cool:

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Bruce- What about the crewmen attending the ceremony? They are not empowered to remove the religious aspect. "Let us pray" is an order, not a suggestion.

John- It would be easier if the CG would simply categorize emails as official correspondence with a standard format. You don't see signature quotes on CG letters.

Wray- I'd say you're wrong. Our ceremonies are scripted, thought out enactments of time-honored traditions. If religion is an integral part of our ceremonies, why not in our correspondence?

[BMCS Ian McVicker]

As usual Chris, you were right on. Good job.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

What if a Chaplain had the same signature? Would that be OK? I think we start walking a fine line of what's appropriate and by who.

Personally...I'd do away with all quotes as signatures. Like Dennis said, we should have a standard format.

[BMCS Nick Pupo]

I dont bow my head at Change of Command Ceremonies. I dont even bow my head in prayer if I attend church. But I do use U.S. Currency with the word "In god we trust" and I also say the pledge at every CPOA meeting I attend, you know "one nation under god"

In my view religious statements or any statement for that matter at the bottom of an email is out of line. If the CG is going to allow one type of statement they should allow them all. So I say no "signatures" at the bottom of an email.

We dont put special messages at the bottom of CG Basic Letters or Page 7's and email is as much an official correspondence as they are.

Chris, you did the right thing.

[DCC Chris Gazey]

Thanks Ian, once again you got my back. Let me know when you get settled I have some news for you.

[ETC Joe Jester ret]

Chris,

You did the proper thing.

CI 5270.1D 6.b Use of Electronic Mail
Individual E-mail use is subject to the same official Coast Guard business constraints as the postal and telephone services. Misuse or abuse can be addressed under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for military personnel, or COMDTINST 12750 for civilian employees. Personnel shall ensure that their use of E-mail supports Coast Guard mission objectives or is beneficial to the health, safety or welfare of the personnel within the organization.

I take that as no taglines, no matter what the subject.