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Three members of the Tennessee Air National Guard have been removed from their posts after taking an oath with a dinosaur puppet.
A viral video shows a senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) taking the "time-honoured" oath of enlistment wearing a dinosaur puppet on her right hand.
"I'm all for humour, but there's a time for seriousness. This shows that this MSgt doesn't really take her oath seriously. I'm more sad that nobody in her leadership was willing to council (sic) her on poor decision making," one Facebook user said.
"The oath is not a joking matter. This is straight up disrespectful to all that have taken the oath. Can't believe her leadership thought that this was OK," another said.
The Tennessee National Guard released a statement, saying the three people involved would be reprimanded.
The colonel administering the oath was immediately retired and the NCO taking the oath was removed from her full-time position with the Tennessee Joint Public Affairs Office.
The NCO who recorded the event was removed from his position as a unit first sergeant and has received an official reprimand, but will be retained in the Tennessee Air National Guard.
Major General Terry M Haston said in a statement that not taking the traditions seriously would not be tolerated.
"I am absolutely embarrassed that a senior officer and a senior NCO took such liberties with a time-honoured military tradition," he said.
"Not taking this oath solemnly and with the utmost respect is firmly against the traditions and sanctity of our military family and will not be tolerated.
"The Tennessee National Guard leadership as a whole is appalled by the actions of these individuals which do not represent our nation's service members nor the Airmen and Soldiers of Tennessee.
Air National Guard Director Lieutenant General L Scott Rice said he was "equally shocked" the event was made fun of.
"Let me say, I'm equally shocked and dismayed by this event that mocks such a cherished and honourable occasion," he said.
"The oath of office or enlistment not only signifies our commitment to our nation, but pays respect to our fellow service members and to those who came before us."
Topics: defence-and-national-security, defence-industry, information-and-communication, internet-culture, social-media, united-states
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