Muslim soldier says he's being harassed

Hi Campbell,
unfortunately this is to be expected given the current atmosphere of distrust, fear & paranoia. Muslim soldiers would have to live with it.

Unless & until (God knows when that would be) the on going conflicts in the Middle East & Afghanistan are resolved, our troops return home , the climate wouldn't change. And then too it will take time for suspicions to dissipate.

On the other hand if by a combination of cruel circumstance we are forced to open another front in the Middle East (which we can hardly afford) things would go from bad to catastrophic.
May the world leaders have the foresight & wisdom to think of humanity instead of their own political agenda.

Campbell, unfortunately, the ignorance of White Supremacists that are in our military and members of congress tolerate this because of who they are, American Terrorists and traitors to the American way.

I congratulate our American Muslim brother for taking part of American defense. America needs to take care of her own back yard and remove America's own terrorists that kill innocent people for 400 years and Americans for over 234 years because of color, Jasper,TX,James Byrd, Jr, head ripped off by tying him to the back of a truck and dragged until dead! Rush Limbaugh said he supports the Taliban!

RepubliCons say they are Godly people, but their actions show us they are not Godly but Godless people that spread hate and evil. That is not America, we claim, ..."liberty And justice for all" for all White?

I am Native American and even my people were and still are being persecuted by Whites, even when my Navajo (Wind Talkers) brothers helped win WWII, using native tongue as code talkers.

America has grown up and we are evolving again, but first, White ignorance and hate must be addressed and stopped.

E Pluribus Unum

There are dozens of trigger verses in the Koran which appear to be entirely opposed to the carefully crafted requirements for soldiers in the US Military.

The US Military should carefully go thru the entire Koran and redact each and every trigger verse therein. Then have each and every Muslim soldier swear to abide by those redaction's as long as they serve in the US Military, before they are permitted to serve beside Infidels and soldiers of the Jewish religions.

Sounds like the Muslim soldier has found a way to sap the army from within. He does not sound like one who wants to serve his country, because his country has a different army. I do not think any muslim should be allowed in the U.S. Army–the idea that he can keep officers jumping when they could be doing anything else, pisses me off. My son certainly would be safer without this guy, who places himself his superiors.

When you join themilitary you lose your free speech.

Sounds like the Muslim soldier has found a way to sap the army from within. He does not sound like one who wants to serve his country, because his country has a different army. I do not think any muslim should be allowed in the U.S. Army–the idea that he can keep officers jumping when they could be doing anything else, pisses me off. My son certainly would be safer without this guy, who places himself above his superiors.

I was a sergeant Major in the Army for 24 years. What is happening to this soldier is a lack of good leadership. They just want to get rid of the problem because he embrassed them by telling the world the trueth. The army has gone to the dogs at Fort Hood due to the constant tours over seas to the war Zone. I was at Fort Hood a couple of months before the shooting , talking to the troops and I must say that they are not happy. Most of this is because of the separation from wifes. The army needs to develope its NCO CORP again because now they are not the backbone of the army like they use to be. A lack of good leadership is the problem, which turns every discidtion into politics

CNN's Campbell Brown, myself and fellow viewers are truly proud of the work, diligence and creative journalism that you have provided to us, the viewers of CNN's Campbell Brown ever since your anchor show has aired.

You and your staff have provided in-depth coverage to many amazing and dedicated topics in providing pertinent newscasts that are generally not discussed nor found on other media outlets.

You are an amazing and creative talent and we'll miss you greatly.
we wish you, your loving children and family the very best and brightest of futures.

Hello Mrs. Brown,

Thank you for having the courage to present the case of Spec. Klawonn. As a Muslim in the U.S. Army Reserve for two years, I am currently being forced to find another unit or my commander will proceed with the steps to separate me from the Army Reserves.

I don’t think this soldier realizes what his command is trying to do for him. Short of assigning him a team of CIA body guards nothing they can do is going to stop him from getting picked on, teased, or harassed. Come on people this happens outside of the army it is going to happen in the army. 11 weeks of basic training does not and will not instill morals in 18 year old kids. If he does not feel safe in his place of worship off of a military base go somewhere else. People that are not in the military do not go in to work the next day and bother their boss with the fact that they felt uncomfortable at their worship.

Just so people know off post housing is considered a privilege for single soldiers and getting to chose your assignment is not a very common thing ether. Most people have to reenlist to even think about having a choice. The last thing I want to say is every soldier in the army E-4 and below is supposed to get a formal counseling every month and not every counseling is bad yes they go in your record. I say get over it if they wanted to punish him they could give him an article 15 and demote him for not consulting his public affairs officer before talking to the press. There is a saying that leadership spends 90% of their time on 10% of their soldiers this is a clear case of that.

wow. so many people of so many religions seem to get along fine in the US military. this guy obviously has another agenda AND he gets to air his issues on national television with the virtual protection of the media. Going on CNN to air grievances? That is so wrong. He has put himself and the Army in a very bad situation. He should be ashamed and so should the Army.

Look what is this guys end game? He made a complaint about harassment and claimed he was concerned for his safety. Then he files a lawsuit and claims he wants to make others aware of the harassment to muslim soldiers. He proceeds to go on CNN and blast his superior officers and in not so many words calls them liars. I am half Arabic, when 911 happened I was in college and heard guys in class screaming "kill em all" I was understanding because I felt the same way they did when the towers fell. He is a muslim in the military especially after the TERRORIST ATTACK on Ft. Hood he needs to man up,get out or take the transfer he was offered. Personally I think he should be court marshaled under Article 89 & 117 the way he acted towards his superior on National TV. As it says truth is not a defense for acting this way and there were much better ways for him to go about this than the way he is acting.

I am vet, my father is a vet, and I have a son who just completed basic and AIT. He will be deployed to the middle east sometime in July if the timeline is accurate.
My question is if Klawonn has been deployed at anytime in his 23 months of service; I did not see a combat patch. My son has been in less then a year and he is on his way. Perhaps they should not discriminate against Klawonn and send his rear to the front; after all, don't we want an equal opportunity military. An equal opportunity for all of our young men and women to get killed in combat.
Another thing is that we have heard his opinion. Now to be totally fair I would like to hear the opinions of a good sampling of other lower ranking enlisted men and women and for them to be ensured of no punishment.
I do not personally have a problem with Muslims in the military. But this soldier needs to get a reality check if he thinks it is going to be easy in these current times.
If he wants to impress me he needs to man up, buy his battle buddy a six pack, and then go tell his commanding officer he wants combat duty somewhere in the heat.

By his own admission, this soldier is engaged in actively "educating" his fellow soldiers in the Muslim ideology.
I know Colonel Jenkins personally (I work with his brother-in-law at Ft Bliss). I know that his actions are in the best interest of the U.S. Army, and for this soldier, and most importantly, the combat integrity of his Brigade, taking a possible "Friendly Fire casualty" option out of the picture...
Question: Is this soldier willing to swear his allegiance "Under God"???

Campbell, I partially agree with the comment from the retired Sergeant Major. Part of the problem is a lack of firm leadership. As a retired Captain of 21 years, it doesn't sound like this young man understands military procedures or regulations. He may have addressed this with his commander, but it doesn't sound like he took the problem to the inspector general. He has only created more problems for himself by acquiring a civilian lawyer. Coming to the press is NOT an option, that is only going to lead to more problems. As a soldier, there are some things you do NOT do. Trying to gain sympathy with the public and the press to resolve a military issue is not the right way to do this. If he has a legitimate concern, he has a right to call his congressman or go beyond division. My opinion as a former unit commander is this kid is causing trouble for the chain of command (regardless of religion) and is trying to use his religion to "spin" the story in his favor. The comments from his chain of command that you read are reasonable efforts. It sounded like his commander was trying to move him to the chaplain's position to assist in improving the image of american-muslim practices and relations. If the kid doesn't want to move, he doesn't want to move. However, I must point out that at some point, he will either have to move for a promotion or get out. Please stop interviewing this kid and let the military handle this. His addressing the problem to the press is inappropriate and unprofessional.

My name is Specialist Gordon I am also a Muslim soldier preparing to report my story to the local news as well. I served my country in a Combat tour in Iraq and I'm volunteering to do it again and again and again. A lot of good soldiers are out there answering the call Whether they be Muslim or Pagan or Satan Worshipers or Christians.

I served next to a large group of racist Scum my unit being a Florida Army national Guard unit with only about 60-100 Black and other minority soldiers the rest pure white.

I Was harassed because on smoke break I made up whichever prayers I Missed. I was Harassed simply for being in the Military and Now the Harassment Continues.

And so does the Bias Now upon requesting transfer to aunt up north where I'm safer and better understood. I am being told that If I do not stay with the FLORIDA national Guard I will receive a dishonorable discharge.

Yet we have soldier in our unit practicing infidelity and E-7s and First Sergeants Practicing Porn Videos with admin personnel And they not only maintain their Rank after getting ?Busted but Have been Promoted.

I applaud My brother in his struggle against Racism and Bias . And I along with others are in his corner.

What is the name of Zacheri Klawonn's Attorney?

Dante Gordon, I do not believe anyone here denies there being problems in and with our military. There always have been and always will be. We have the greatest Nation on earth to protect and we do that with the greatest military on earth. We have come a long way but there are ways earn respect and help our military grow and adjust ,then there are ways to lose respect and weaken our military. What you two are doing and planning to do are the latter. Women were in your position not to long ago and I do believe they have put up with far worse than what you two could ever dream of. This is an example of a fine military soldier, this is part of her story, I will let her words finish my thoughts on this matter!

Maj. Kellie McCoy, 34: On Sept. 14, 2003, her four-vehicle convoy drove into an ambush. It was attacked by multiple roadside bombs, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. Three soldiers were wounded in the ambush.As one of the wounded stood in the middle of the road, bloody and in shock, Major McCoy ran through enemy fire to get him, discharging her M4 as she led him back to her vehicle. Then, she and the others returned to the “kill zone” to rescue the remaining soldiers. Major McCoy received a Bronze Star for valor and, most important for her, the admiration of her troops.

“I think my actions cemented their respect for me,” she wrote in an e-mail message from Iraq. “I worked hard to earn their respect.”

I was a soldier at that unit. I was harassed in similar ways and eventually my roommate and I were physically assaulted by four other soldiers in my barracks room.

For a year we had swastikas and KKK graffiti left on our door reported all incidents and also told our command we felt unsafe and nothing was done. After the assaults we were targeted by the unit because they looked bad.

For the record I am Jewish and my roommate was black. This isnt an isolated incident and as he said they only act when forced and when the public eye is off of them it all returns to normal. I have a perfect military record with NO disciplinary actions against me EVER.

Both units under 69th Brigade are guilty. Ive never met this guy, but I have been where he has been.

Another interesting and telling fact is that there have been three suicides already this year within his brigade. It doesn't sound like Col Jenkins is doing the right things for his unit for the Army.

Infidelity you are the one whom practices it I don't know much about the Islamic religion but i do believe that it is disapproved of to have sex before marriage and then to conceal your sexual misconduct by asking the girl to get and abortion so who is hypocritical here. Mr. I run away from my responsibility but try to make every one else seem so scandalous when u are the scandalmonger