Defense bosses found themselves in hot water with former Navy Seal vets after marking the start of June with a Facebook post celebrating the beginning of Pride Month.
The post on the official page of Naval Special Warfare Command was also posted to the US Navy Seal and SWCC page, according to Libs of TikTok.
It spelled out the watchwords of ‘dignity, service, respect, equality, pride’, in rainbow-colored letters emblazoned with the command’s badge of an eagle gripping a rifle and a trident.
Attempts to restrict those who could comment failed to stem a wave of hostile reaction who accused the elite unit of going ‘woke’ and betraying its former members.
‘This woke s*** is like a cancer and needs to be handled and dealt with as a threat to national security,’ wrote one. ‘Gone way too far.’
The post on the US Special Warfare Command page sparked a furious response from many
The message was also posted by the Navy Seals, according to Libs of TikTok
Others were infuriated by the timing, pointing out that the post was uploaded immediately after one recognizing the 80th anniversary on June 6 of the D-Day landings in which 2,500 Americans died.
‘This is a slap in the face of every special warfare operator that has put their lives on the line for our nation,’ wrote one.
‘I know plenty of current and former SEALs who are disgusted with this. Please repent of this debaucherous behavior and stick to what you’re good at!’ added another
‘So glad I got out before this bulls*** took over,’ wrote a third.
The controversial post came on the day the Department of Defense made an embarrassing gaffe with a Facebook post that appeared to confuse Pride Month with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Month.
‘June is PTSD Awareness Month and the DoD is committed to supporting service members and veterans affected by PTSD,’ it wrote.
‘If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. You are not alone.’
But the post was illustrated with a ‘Progress Pride Flag’ and attached to a picture captioned ‘Celebrate Pride Month 2024’.
The Pentagon deemed June to be PTSD Awareness Month in June 2014, a year before it recognized June as Pride Month.
The post was later deleted and replaced with a PTSD Awareness Month graphic.
Hundreds made their feelings clear on the Command’s Facebook page
It came on the day the Defense Department appeared to mix up Pride and PTSD Month
Some at least were amused by the mix-up
Angry or mocking reactions outnumbered those who viewed it positively by seven to one on the Naval Special Warfare Command Facebook page, but some were delighted to see it there.
‘Fantastic!!’ wrote one. ‘Thanks for recognizing our strength is in our differences!’
‘How does diversity send the wrong message when so many special operators have different nationalities and sexual preferences?’ demanded another.
The Libs of TikTok site which shared it to its three million followers on Saturday, was scathing.
‘The Navy SEALs have gone woke,’ it wrote. ‘Our elite special forces. This is terrifying.’