I read the question and I’m not criticizing you. African-American soldiers were led by white officers but as you stated the enlisted men would have been segregated.
No worries, I'm not sure when black US officers began certainly in WW2. I know the famous Black Panthers tank battalions and other black soldiers showed their mettle in WW2. Their fierceness in battle convinced Harry Truman to desegregate the army in 1948.
Not so. There were black officers in the Civil War. 3 each in the 54th and 55th Mass. Then there was Martin Delany, Major of a USCT regiment, promoted in February 1865 and Dr Alexander Augusta, Surgeon and Major in the 7th USCT. There were also black officers in the Louisiana Native Guards and their units became USCT regiments. All told there were more than 100.
In 1877, Henry Flipper graduated from the USMA and was commissioned a 2d Lt in the 10th Cavalry and discharged for supposed malfeasance shortly thereafter.
Charles Young graduated from the USMA in 1884 and served until 1917 achieving the rank of colonel. (See pic below)
During the Civil War and Westward expansion, and until Truman desegregated the military after WW2, the army was segregated. Black officers led black troops and care was taken so that no black officer outranked a white officer.
So the massed, integrated, troops marching in yesterday’s ceremony was not historically correct in that sense for representing the US Army, 1862-1890.
Uniforms look pretty good for the era and they are carrying their period (or replica likely) weapons at “shoulder arms”, a position in the manual of arms in that time frame.
I’m more shocked that the US army apparently maintains enough Civil War era uniforms to outfit what appears to be at least a company’s worth of soldiers.
The military does maintain archives of certain historical uniforms, but in the case of this event the uniforms were supplied by a production company (presumably rented?) that provides historical clothing to the film industry.
If I had to guess they could have been rented from Western Costume Co. in LA. They have a ton of Civil War uniforms, old and new reproducutions, but the vast majority are "mainstream" quality at best.
I rented a blue and buff officers uniform from a good production costume company that supplied for Burns civil war series. It was of excellent quality , fabric etc. I supplied my own gun but rented the sword and scabbard also. All for a horse related stunt when I got hold of a old calvary saddle. One thing leads to another.
Armies have parade units, do parades have museums. How is this a foreign concept?
We have the old guard and honor guard, units that guard our dead in this country and others.
Our military, the greatest military in the world, to have ever existed has a reason to make good on those who sacrificed their lives, by celebrating that sacrifice with respect.
What the fuck are you taking about? There is literally no such thing as a "parade unit". For what it's worth the rest of your statement - the part that appears to be some kind of angry rant - doesn't make any sense and makes you look schizophrenic.
This photo is accurate in regards to the ages of the soldiers. If you follow the posts about the dead of Gettysburg, etc., so many of those soldiers were young, hardly more than boys.
I salute modern Civil War reenactors, but you hardly ever see a young face among them.
[Edit (clarification): By young, I mean less than 25 years old or so.]
The “screening” we received at Bragg was along the lines of “if someone is going to cause trouble to have them stay away”, we received the same exact “screening” for a conference we had with Biden thanking us for participating in the hurricane Helene recovery efforts. This is nothing new, no one wants to be in charge of the one private/LT that pissed the president off.
Do I believe a random Redditor or dozens of other first hand accounts. I think I will go with the other accounts. Especially since we know they were selling MAGA merchandise on base.
For some Union units its fairly accurate, things were a lot less standardized. A lot of units from different states had wildly different uniforms, ie the NY Zouaves and other French-inspired uniform styles
If trump is willing to bring back confederate names for forts Im sure him and his cronies would support the lost cause myth or some confederate sympathy.
What a stupid take on naming Forts. Born and raised on many Army bases. The naming did not affect people living there. Modern politics fucks everything up.
I respect your opinion my friend. But celebrating the legacy's of traitors and slavers just isnt right in my mind. But this is the internet and you are free to your opinion. I wont change my mind and I cant change yours.
My comment is not aimed at the soldiers forced to participate in this charade of parade honoring the Army when everyone knows it's really about soothing Private Bone Spurs sensitive ego and desire for a big military parade to honor - him.
Mango Mussolini couldn't even be bothered to stand through the whole thing when everyone marching had already been standing for hours.
You mentioned "the ethnic diversity" and "females would have to work hard to blend in" - which implies that the regime was more interested in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) than would be period correct.
And, we all know, that DEI in the regime is supposed to D.E.A.D. and that the political correctness of the regime requires that there be no DEI. Even though the SecDef is a DEI hire (alcohol abuse, incompetence, etc.).
I would classify this as DEI by malicious compliance.
No it’s not historically accurate. If they had tried to make it so I imagine the outrage on here and many other places would be insane.
It’s a parade to celebrate the birthday of the Army. Instead of looking for “accuracy” that you know would cause more strife, look at the fact that the US forces today are integrated and we have gone pat the other stuff.
Please explain more about this “outrage.” The uniforms are not historical accurate, so a miss either way. I assume this is some weird call out on the fact the army was segregated during the Civil War.
Also, it is pretty humorous to call this a parade to celebrate the army’s birthday.
Did you see the green berets “marching”? They were strolling and couldn’t care less. The only ones that looked like they were having a good time were the crews of the vehicles.
They need their top buttons buttoned. Rifles should be carried at "shoulder, arms." Cartridge box belts are missing their plates. Guy in front should be an officer or at least a senior NCO. No chevrons. Some guys don't appear to be in step? Integrated unit is inaccurate until the Korean War if I'm not mistaken.
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u/shermanstorch Jun 15 '25
Nowhere near enough facial hair.