Posing for Playboy - What's the Big Deal?

[Allison Briley_guest]

I think Staff Sergeant Michelle Manhart did find excellence in everything she does. She was also brave enough to admit it and bold enough to show it. How many skeletons do you think Oscar and all of the other stuffed shirts have in their closets? This woman should be given a medal for her honesty and bravery. I would imagine the investigation is partially because she has the confidence most others lack. If our society was not so perverted, we could see the beauty in her posing rather than make it into something it's not. Playboy isn't exactly a hard core Sado machoist type of publication. Hopefully the magazine will give her more money. After the story hit the news, you can only imagine they are selling double the amount of issues to curious george's like myself.

[culpepper]

I think the main problem with the photo spread was the fact that she did it in uniform thus involving the Air Force. Had she not chosen the military 'theme', perhaps the Air Force would have been a little more forgiving. Mixing 'sexual' overtones and the uniform of the military could be view as distasteful. People wearing that very same uniform are dying in Iraq and Afganastan as we speak. The uniform she wore during her Playboy layout is the same uniform that Airmen wear when they are burried in their coffins. Just something to think about.

[TwistedAngel_guest]

I have seen the pictures, and none of the sexual pictures were in uniform. Only ones of her in uniform were of her performing her job as a TI. Overall I thought the pictures were all in good taste.

[ledthrower_guest]

The reason why this is a big deal is because the morality in the armed forces is dictated by those inject their faith way too often. I believe those who question the SSgt's morality should stick to living their own life, not others.

[F106A]

Honestly, if the USAF wants to punish her they should do nothing. Make her stay in the service! She said it's her goal to be in entertainment so by making her stay in, well, the Air Force will sure show her!

BTW, I've never seen an issue of Playboy fly off the shelves faster at my base!!

[taeisme]

I don't see what the big deal is. I think that she did nothing wring with posing for playboy. The only thing that I didn't think was too cool were the photos of her in uniform but other than that, to each his own. YOU GO GIRL!!

[ringjamesa]

The majority of you are missing the point. It is not an argument as to whether the pictures were in good taste or not. She is a TI and thus should know that in order to do any off-duty employment, she is required to clear it through her commander. Also, AFI 36-2903 table 1.3 specifically forbids military members to wear their uniforms in "furthering ..commercial interests" or "working in an off-duty civilian capacity. A TI lives by this AFI on a day to day basis both in preparing their own uniforms and inspecting those of their trainees. There is no excuse for ignorance on her part. Playboy was also aware what would happen if she did the photoshoot. They have posted similar pictures of AD military members before (Navy) and they were both kicked out. While I personally have no problem with her posing, she knew the rules and she broke then and now must face the consequesnces of her actions.
That's the "big deal."

[AimForCenterMass_guest]

Look at this woman! She's a six at best. Seriously, would she be posing in Playboy if she didn't have the appeal of being in the military? There's nothing wrong with posing in Playboy, but there is something wrong with using your military affiliation to pull it off. Trust me, if this chick didn't wear a uniform, there's no way she would've been publish in a magazine such as Playboy. It doesn't matter that she was tasteful while being photographed in uniform...she used it for personal gain...period. SSgt Manhart needs to be punished. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be off to the nearest magazine stand.

[krusher]

I am extremely disappointed in this particular SSgt and equally disappointed that those who post here fail to see the problem with this behavior. It's not about peering into someone else's life. It has to do with the fact that SSgt Manhart and others (obviously) think there is a seperation of Core Values when in or out of uniform. It's a shame that she was responsible for the introduction of such courses as Sexual Assault Response, Ethics and Dress and Appearance (according to the technical school students in my unit).

One of the males in the group I talked to actually said she told a trainee to "stop staring at her accouderments". People stare at mine all the time in awe of what I have done in my 18 year career. What makes her so self conscious of stares now? Is it because she has left nothing up to mystery or personal privacy? The truth is she will forever be self-conscious of this, and others around her will always have a diminished respect for her in a position of leadership. Can you imagine her being the next Chief Master Sgt of the Air Force?

She is supposed to be a leader. How can she possible lead those who have seen her naked and possible had sexual fantasies about her? Let's face facts, the "readers" of Playboy aren't getting this one to check out her life story!!!!!

This is a disgrace on the uniform whether she was in it when the pictures were taken or not. She is "uniformed" all day, every day. She should have enough SELF-RESPECT (part of Integrity in the Little Blue Book) to know this could be looked upon unfavorably by her troops...regardless of what leadership "stuffed shirts" say! I'm about as unstuffy as they come, and I can only imagine the way troops are being led in the dark corners of offices all over the AF now since seeing responses to this issue.

As a First Sergeant for the last 3 years, and a SNCO for the last 5, I can promise you we are on a VERY dangerous path if we allow this to go unpunished. What's next? What if a young Airman goes to a strip club and ends up wanting a lap dance from his supervisor? What if the two of them don't know each other and craziness happens in the club, but later one ends up to lead the other in some way? What then?

Stop the madness and think about the damn future instead of the lax taboos we have presently. WE CAN'T LET OUR AF FAIL!!!!

[alyssa_guest]

I've got to say 2 gentlemen in the Armed Forces posed for Playgirl... NOTHING happened to them. Now, when a female poses it's a big deal. Shoot, I'd do it. Thumbs up for her. Besides, it's a little morale boost for those who are headed to war. We all know it's needed.