A Tennessee Air National Guard colonel was demoted and promptly retired after a video that shows him leading a re-enlistment ceremony where one member recites her oath using a dinosaur puppet garnered millions of views online.
In the video, which was posted Saturday to an unofficial Air Force Facebook group, an unidentified colonel can be seen leading the re-enlistment ceremony for Master Sgt. Robin Brown, who delivers her oath while wearing a dinosaur puppet on her hand and has the puppet mouth the words as she reads them aloud.
According to a statement from Army Maj. Gen. Terry Haston, posted to the Tennessee National Guard official Facebook page, the colonel administering the oath immediately retired after being demoted.
Brown was also removed from her position at the Tennessee Join Public Affairs Office, according to Haston.
The unidentified guardsman who recorded the ceremony was also reprimanded and removed from his job as first sergeant, Haston said.
“I am absolutely embarrassed that a senior officer and a senior NCO took such liberties with a time-honored military tradition,” Haston wrote. “The Tennessee National Guard holds the Oath of Enlistment in the highest esteem because that oath signifies every service member’s commitment to defend our state, nation and the freedoms we all enjoy.”
“The actions of these three individuals in no way represent the professionalism, honor, and courage of the 14,000 Soldiers and Airman in the Tennessee National Guard,” Haston added.
The video racked up more than 2 million views on Facebook and received widespread criticism from social media users who felt the event was disrespectful.
An individual from the Tennessee Military Department said that Brown “was trying to create something her younger children would enjoy,” the Air Force Times reported Wednesday.
