Why The US Army Must Act Swiftly and Decisively In The Case Of SFC Jonathan Pentland

By Ty Ross

By now, most have probably seen the video of Sergeant First Class Jonathan Pentland, a Ft. Jackson, SC drill instructor, and his hostile interaction with a young black man walking in the neighborhood.

While the video is certainly shocking, what it isn’t is surprising. Not these days anyway.

Being originally from Charlotte, NC, about 90 miles north of the largest basic training facility in the country, I’m pretty familiar with Columbia. My mother, a retired Army First Sergeant, did her basic training at Ft. Jackson and was a drill instructor herself at the base. Unlike many areas in a state that leans red, Columbia is more liberal and split almost evenly among racial lines.

Though I don’t know what led to the altercation, it was evident in the video that not only was Pentland the aggressor, but he was out of line and had overstepped his bounds. While he’s seen shoving Deandre on the video, according to the young lady who filmed it, Shadae McCallum, he pushed Deandre multiple times off camera. Also not captured was Pentland slapping Deandre’s phone out of his hand and stepping on it.

Kudos to the young man for keeping his composure while being verbally and physically bullied by a man twice his age and size. Remaining calm while Pentland and his wife continued to insinuate that Deandre didn’t belong in that neighborhood. Pentland’s proof? According to him, he had never seen Deandre before.

This is what people of color, especially young black males have to deal with daily. No matter who you are, where you are. No matter what you have accomplished or achieved. No matter how good a human being, you are always suspect. Continuously questioned, challenged, accosted and denied. Stripped of your dignity, and having your humanity put to the test.

Ft. Jackson’s Commanding Brig. General Milford Beagle did tweet that Pentland’s actions were not condoned. But that isn’t nearly enough. Pentland should be immediately relieved of his duties and discharged.

There has to be a zero-tolerance policy for this type of behavior from a US soldier. Someone who took an oath to serve, represent and protect this country at all times. A message needs to be sent that actions such as these will not be accepted, tolerated, excused or justified by the US military.

Thankfully the incident was captured on film. Thankfully there were witnesses and Deandre was able to go home to his family. Without which, we may be having a different- a more tragic, conversation.
Jonathan Pentland not only disgraced himself, but his uniform and his country. A soldier is a soldier at all times. We hold our soldiers to a higher standard and expect them to behave with dignity and respect whether in uniform or not. He has to go.

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