Playboy-Posing Sergeant Relieved Of Duty

Air Force Officer Who Posed Nude For Magazine Suspended For Not Meeting 'High Standards'

(AP)  An Air Force staff sergeant who posed nude for Playboy magazine has been relieved of her duties while the military investigates, officials said Thursday.

In February's issue, hitting newsstands this week, Michelle Manhart is photographed in uniform yelling and holding weapons under the headline "Tough Love." The following pages show her partially clothed, wearing her dog tags while working out, as well as completely nude.

"This staff sergeant's alleged action does not meet the high standards we expect of our airmen, nor does it comply with the Air Force's core values of integrity, service before self, and excellence in all we do," Oscar Balladares, spokesman for Lackland Air Force Base, said in a statement.

Manhart told Playboy that she considers herself as standing up for her rights.

"Of what I did, nothing is wrong, so I didn't anticipate anything, of course," Manhart, 30, told The Associated Press. "I didn't do anything wrong, so I didn't think it would be a major issue."

Manhart, who is married with two children, joined the Air Force in 1994, spending time in Kuwait in 2002. She trains airmen at Lackland.

[j_flood]

I'm reminded of the punch line: "madam we've established what you are, now we're just haggling over the price". Someone, perhaps herself, has made a decision to make this happen while on active duty. This will trigger publicity and then the video's, website subscriptions and other sources of revenue are soon to follow. Looks like mommy has to find a new job soon and that is assured. Pity the children. I'm not a prude but hate to seen the contrived process she's set about doing.

[jetlizhan]

i think she should be able to earn this big chunk of change with playboy if she wants to - my problem is her kids. she should NOT have done this to her husband and children, even if they supported her on this. there will be repercussions down the road - there always is.

[migrainegram]

"This staff sergeant's alleged action does not meet the high standards we expect of our airmen, nor does it comply with the Air Force's core values of integrity, service before self, and excellence in all we do," Oscar Balladares, spokesman for Lackland Air Force Base, said in a statement.

Uh, huh...and how long did it take before the Air Force Academy *** scandal surfaced? Fifty-four alleged rapes and probably many more unreported, as the top wings covered it up and looked the other way.

I don't necessarily agree with Sgt. Manhart's decision. However, it is ironic the swiftness of an investigation is held to a higher standard when the dogtags are around the neck of a female.

[e_paul]

We invaded a country based on false pretenses, have tortured people and held them in secret prisons without charges and are now escalating a war that is all but lost. Meanwhile, global warming threatens the plant And now a staff seargeant poses for Playboy? Who cares?

[grazinggoat]

She is a fresh air brought into this debate. One tends to say: make love, not war. She should be a symbol for anti-bush and anti-war march, up to Capitol hill and whitehouse. Lovely looking lady.

[jetlizhan]

jh6379-
guess you weren't paying attention in kindergarten on reading day. you totally missed my point. yes, it's her right and she should be able to do this - and morally i was saying if she were a single girl, even better. but her family (husband and children) will suffer for this - having some forethought and character doesn't make one a prude.

[gunnerv1]

She violated the UCMJ, she gets what she deserves. demoted, fined and discharged for defamation of the uniform. She may be pretty and have a great body, but thats not the point.

[migrainegram]

"This staff sergeant's alleged action does not meet the high standards we expect of our airmen, nor does it comply with the Air Force's core values of integrity, service before self, and excellence in all we do," Oscar Balladares, spokesman for Lackland Air Force Base, said in a statement.

And as I atated before:

Uh, huh...and how long did it take before the Air Force Academy *** scandal surfaced? Fifty-four alleged rapes and probably many more unreported, as the top wings covered it up and looked the other way.

I don't necessarily agree with Sgt. Manhart's decision. However, it is ironic the swiftness of an investigation is held to a higher standard when the dogtags are around the neck of a female.

[candojj1]

The public very rarely knows the truth. In this case, who knows what the Playboy contract says? What is the bottom line to this woman? Her statement of innocence is merely an illusion. What if one of those "don't ask don't tell" people were in a magazine what would the policy be? Would the armed forces "tell"? So why should a person (yes we are all created equal) who is of "equal rights" not fall under the same classification? Doesn't that violate her civil rights? Would any G.I. admit they were looking at a "don't ask don't tell" magazine? Boo to that double standard. She needs a good lawyer.

[luvny-2009]

You go girl!

[shingles1]

We need MORE troops like her.

[ressigmann]

Article 92 of the UCMJ deals with the failure to obey a lawful order or regulation. AFI 36-2903 page #9 states that you may not wear your uniform for "furthering political activities, private employment, or commercial interests", "working in an off duty capacity". Regulations must be followed whether they are liked or not. This woman clearly violated the above mentioned regulation and therefore is in violation of Article 92 of the UCMJ.

[jebediah76]

That implies she was compensated for posing - I see no indication that she was compensated for her nude-ness.

And even if she was - Is there any proof that she was in her uniform? sounds like A) - she was out of it and B) there is no saying that Playboy did not furnish her with other clothing that closely resembles her uniform. Can you read her DogTags and know that they are in fact Air Force issue? Eh?

Sounds like a pretty loose interpretation of the UCMJ to me.

[ladyephesus1]

Hahahaha..youre a riot matveii107!!

[mick7744]

There is a much deeper, more profound question to be addressed here.

SHOULD WOMEN BE ASHAMED OF THEIR BODIES?

The answer is YES! Many women should be ashamed of their bodies (quite a few men too)

BUT NOT HER!

[jeffhorow]

This woman deserves a medal! Not the condemnation of a holier-than-thou, stick-in-the-mud, uptight officer who would rather see women barefoot and pregnant at home.

She's 30, married, 2 kids, and in the Armed Forces! I think that she should be honored for all the sacrifices she's made and for her ability to keep herself in good enough condition for Playboy and the military. Besides--it's another selling point for the services: join the Armed Forces, meet babes (or hunks), as appropriate.

[searingtruth]

I wonder if all the male soldiers who read the Playboy magazine, and ogle and drool all over the pictures, will be relieved of duty also ...

Hee hee.

Of course not. They're men and can do all the "immoral" things that women aren't supposed to.

Sheesh.

As a man I can only say give women the equal rights, and equal freedom, that men enjoy.

Sheesh again.
ST

"We need not fear the beliefs of others, only their imposition upon us."
SearingTruth

"One of the most fundamental precepts of justice is that everyone, under every circumstance, be treated equally."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[gnuggnu]

I certainly wish they had Staff Sgt like this back when I was in the Air Force. IF I were not too old to be accepted, I would join-up again. What's wrong with the perverts who are giving her a hard time? OOPS! maybe I shouldn't talk about anything being hard?

[joe_429]

Others have commented that there seems to be a double standard for behavior in the Services between men and women. Duh!?
The services are still blatantly sexist! This is simply another example of it!
This is a married woman with two kids and a career. And she finds the time, energy, and interest to take that kind of care of herself! BRAVO!

[jetlizhan]

jh6379 - well how kind of you; but i really don't need your forgiveness.

[gunnerv1]

Conduct prejudical to good order. I belive that it is Art# 137, The # may be wrong, it's been over 20 years since I had a UCMJ in my hands

[gunnerv1]

It also fall under the "General Artical" of allthe not otherwise covered in the UCMJ

[lioness41]

Article 92 of the UCMJ deals with the failure to obey a lawful order or regulation. AFI 36-2903 page #9 states that you may not wear your uniform for "furthering political activities, private employment, or commercial interests", "working in an off duty capacity". Regulations must be followed whether they are liked or not.

So this is the same regulation that should have been used to prosecute General Boykin for wearing his uniform while making a speech about Allah being a false God and the Iraq War being a holy Crusade on his own time in front of a bunch of Fundamentalist Christians?

[pprmnt]

This was pretty lame of her. Anyone in the military and one in a leadership role should know better. As I was told once when you put on your military uniform you are no longer representing just yourself, but your service. Good body or not, whether she did it for her kids or not, this was lame and a discredit to not only herself, but the Air Force. If she wanted to do this she should have waited till she was out of the military. Sounds like it might be more sooner than later.

[bythesea1]

This solder doll is fine!!! I cant wait till I see the magazine!!! OH BABY!

[m5301]

Is'nt objection to nudity a Middle Eastern trait?Arent we sopposed to be the CURE for that sort of insanity?I said it before,and I'll say it again:the U.S. is the most repressed,***-and-body-phobic nation on Earth(among non-Islamic nations,at least).Outstanding,Sgt.Keep up the fine work.I was really glad to hear that you are a parent.Maybe there's hope for us after all.

[robjk1-2009]

If pres Clinton(Commander in chief) can commit adultery in the white house, why not let a sgt pose nude?

[momcat4]

Can you guess who will be lining up at dawn to get their Playboy issue? What a bunch of hypocrites!

[agnim]

A ho will be a ho.

However, being a murdering soldier is somehow of a higher standard? That's laughable. Ha ha

[godess078]

The General Article is Art 134. I believe she has a right to with her body whatever she so chooses, but she should have left the uniform and the Air Force out of it. She deserves whatever punishment they give her. She disgraced the Air Force when she brought it into her posing. How can she say she didn't do anything wrong? Is she on drugs?

[jetlizhan]

jh6379
you kinda have a little tact - at least the first three letters. . . .TACKY

[downtowner97]

What if a male soldier had done it?

[jetlizhan]

jh6379
well brilliant you're not - let's see if i referred to you as tacky (meaning your comments), then i probably meant. . . .YOU'RE TACKY. end of post, i'm outta here. wasted enough time on you already.

[freezulu]

She's brilliant! Look at the valuable press coverage and free fame she's gained for herself. Shameless American self-marketing at its finest. Instant celebrity = income opportunities galore! (This may even help boost Air Force recruiting.)

[karenn3]

Agnim - Go beat your "Peace, Love and Harmony" drum elsewhere. You're off topic.

To everyone else who can't comprehend the dispicable nature of her actions -- it's called an oath! We all take an oath when we join the military to uphold the tenets of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. It requires us to live to a higher standard, but we all take this oath freely and voluntarily. No one made her take this oath.

She has blatantly violated her oath and the laws underwhich all military members operate and in a VERY public way. THAT is a disgrace.

She is an NCO, which means from time to time is must reprimand troops under her authority. How can she call an airman into her office and deliver a reprimand is that airman has no respect for her, or at least is looking at her thinking "I've seen you naked!"

She has compromised her authority and the dignity of the military uniform. She is dispicable. And not much for the eyes either.

[saxonmor]

So, military morality condones the taking of human life, but forbids nudity? Guess "Thou shalt not kill" doesn't count if you're in uniform? And funny, but I don't recall a Commandment that states "Thou shalt not pose in thy birthday suit"! Just another example of the twisted self-rationalizing behavior that humans are capable of to justify their own actions while villifying those of others. We would be so much better off in this country if we relegated the false-Puritanical fundamentalist mentality to the 17th centruy past where it belongs.

[karenn3]

r_bayless --

Human nature does make it difficult to take criticism from someone you do not respect. Wouldn't you agree? But please don't spend too much time mulling over that. The bigger point is she violated more that one article of the UCMJ. That is punishable. Whether civilians do or don't understand or agree with that concept. To all of you who don't agree with the military's reaction - don't join the military. But if you do join, have the courage and integrity to uphold your oath.

KEEP IN MIND EVERYONE - she hasn't been kicked out of the Air Force. She's been relieved of duty pending an investigation. She's still on active duty. No punishment has been delivered yet. So chew on that for a while.

[agnim]

"Agnim,

Careful now. While I must admit that I've never understood how Christians can somehow take "Thou Shalt Not Kill" and decide that it doesn't apply to capital murder and warfare, to suggest that our soldiers are "mudering" is in extremely bad taste of you. Those are the people (like cops and firemen) who are risking their lives to keep us safe.

Posted by r_bayless at 02:24 PM : Jan 12, 2007"

Your position is full of contradictions.
Please review. LOL

"Thou shalt not kill" RIGHTLY did not make exceptions!

Killing fellow humans is ALWAYS wrong!

So you are challenged to find another and true path to peace!
Having to murder a fellow human is not cutting it and will never ever cut it!

I support our unfortunate fellow Americans who have been foolishly sent by a lunatic leader to deliver their lives and limbs in the Iraqi hell hole, for them to catch the next plane safely home to their love ones.

[karenn3]

Agnim - For the love o' pete - can't you stick to the topic of the article posted?

[gunnerv1]

Because the POPE sez so and the POPE ain't ever wrong!

[macusweil]

sure using white phosphorus on civilians, waterboarding & torture of suspects are all ok, but show some skin.. omg!! what outrage !!

[navyretired2]

The military likes to try and hold itself, publicly, to a higher moral standard than is generally considered "normal" for most U.S. citizens. Right or wrong...that's how it is. Additionally, when you raise your hand and swear to bla bla bla, you basically give up standard civil liberties as enjoyed by a majority of the country. Its a common quip in the military that we support and defend the constitution...but don't get to enjoy the rights as contained therein.

Again, so I don't get flamed, not supporting or going against it, just saying that's "how it is."

Personally, she should've left the uniform out of it, and it would've been fine, but even if she had, they'd still go after her had the right/wrong people found out about it.

[gunnerv1]

r_bayless They would not get an Art 32 (Courtsmartial) but he would get an Art 15 hearing at minimum which is close to a career ending move these days. It's not like the old days. Alcohol induced problems are not tolerated anymore.

[gunnerv1]

Just where did "killing" come in on her poseing for playboy?

[agnim]

"Agnim - Go beat your "Peace, Love and Harmony" drum elsewhere.

Posted by karenn3 at 03:09 PM : Jan 12, 2007"

Maybe that necked soldier would come and beat my "drum" .... stick; you are welcome to join if you are able to carry a good tune. LOL

In her own roundabout way as a ho, that female is somewhat back in her element after being lost in a man's foolish war game.

A female was made to produce, protect, and promote LIFE!

The game of death (war) is for foolish men who are not as alert to the preciousness of human LIFE!

Only lost females join those misguided male games of death!

Hopefully she'll go home, avoid death on the battle field and attract a man who can give her what she wants and a steady family.

[gunnerv1]

anim, just where did "murder" fit into this?

[gunnerv1]

Agnim you are a ***

[gunnerv1]

agnim, the *** is an auto censor it replace PU**Y

[saxonmor]

My point is: whether part of an oath or not, the prohibition of nudity is based in a Puritanical ethic. If you are going to stand on the soap box of one, you cannot deny the others out of convenience.
I never suggested that our soldiers "murder" in the course of defending themselves. I have long held that if someone brings war to your doorstep, you can choose to fight or die. I would fight. But in the instance of Iraq our soldiers are largely victims in a power game of the military industrial elite. The murderers sit in the White House.
And if you would claim that her action detract from her ability to perform her duties, then I would counter that more than one soldier has mentaly undressed another. Neither imagination nor reality should be cause to disrespect a superior.
Besides, we're all nude under our clothes anyway...

[agnim]

"anim, just where did "murder" fit into this?

Posted by gunnerv1 at 03:49 PM : Jan 12, 2007"
You didn't know that 'murder' is what soldiers do when they are not posing nude in Playboy for our viewing pleasures? LOL

Little wonder hundreds of thousands have been murdered, maimed and mangled on account of our wrong actions and the nation is fussing over a dam INSIGNIFICANT nude ho!