Posted on Oct 14, 2015
Are we required to honor, respect and generally concur with the POTUS?
5.88K
125
40
5
5
0
The President of the United States (POTUS) is also the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United State. As the holder of the highest office in the land the POTUS is to be honored officially in all public appearances and affairs of state. One definition of honor is highly respected.
Respect may be defined as a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. In this sense as military members and veterans and others we clearly understand respect for the holder of an office. We respect those in authority over us; but, experience will help us respect them deeper or less depending on their performance.
As a Christian I respect everybody. Practically I struggle with respecting some people in my mind and I need to ask God's help to help me respect them.
Concurrence with positions taken by the POTUS is another matter entirely. I do not believe we are obligated by our oaths of office to concur with positions or decisions made by the POTUS. Only military service members are required to obey the decisions of the POTUS which affect them. Shout out to SSG Joel Murray for posting the negative version of this question about blatant disrespect.
What are your thoughts? I request that we demonstrate respect for each other in our responses.
LTC Stephen C., LTC Bink Romanick, MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas, CMSgt Mark Schubert, LTC John Shaw, GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad, SSgt (Join to see), Sgt David G Duchesneau, SGT Randal Groover, SGT Forrest Stewart, Sgt Kelli Mays, SrA Christopher Wright
Respect may be defined as a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. In this sense as military members and veterans and others we clearly understand respect for the holder of an office. We respect those in authority over us; but, experience will help us respect them deeper or less depending on their performance.
As a Christian I respect everybody. Practically I struggle with respecting some people in my mind and I need to ask God's help to help me respect them.
Concurrence with positions taken by the POTUS is another matter entirely. I do not believe we are obligated by our oaths of office to concur with positions or decisions made by the POTUS. Only military service members are required to obey the decisions of the POTUS which affect them. Shout out to SSG Joel Murray for posting the negative version of this question about blatant disrespect.
What are your thoughts? I request that we demonstrate respect for each other in our responses.
LTC Stephen C., LTC Bink Romanick, MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas, CMSgt Mark Schubert, LTC John Shaw, GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad, SSgt (Join to see), Sgt David G Duchesneau, SGT Randal Groover, SGT Forrest Stewart, Sgt Kelli Mays, SrA Christopher Wright
Office of the President (POTUS)
Respect
Honor
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 20
10
10
0
The best way to sum this up comes from the mini series "Band of Brothers". In one of the last scenes, then Maj Winters and his former Company Commander CPT Sobel cross paths. Sobel used to out rank Winters but quickly found himself on desk detail while Winters went on to command one of the most historic units in Army history. As Sobal walks about, Winters looks at him and reminds him that we salute the rank NOT the person. The same can be said about public office. While you may not agree with the person's view that is currently holding the seat, the respect for that office is based on the collective of people who have held that seat. The respect isn't solely for the person, its the respect of what that office represents. So yes, we are required to respect the office as military members and that respect should continue as a Veteran.
(10)
(0)
CPT Brent Ferguson
Nice analogy, but if you, (the reader) are currently serving on active duty - PLEASE don't get caught showing disrespect to a superior officer. (Or a former superior officer.) That said, isn't it sad that we have to ask if we HAVE TO respect our current president?
I don't like lawyers or politicians for the most part, I think most are dishonest. To win my respect they must:
1) love the USA
2) be honorable
3) respect the Constitution and the Bill of Rights
4) hold the lives of our citizens and soldiers in high regard
and 5) practice fiscal responsibility
(*it's hard to believe that someone who holds you in high regard would spend your money frivolously)
I don't like lawyers or politicians for the most part, I think most are dishonest. To win my respect they must:
1) love the USA
2) be honorable
3) respect the Constitution and the Bill of Rights
4) hold the lives of our citizens and soldiers in high regard
and 5) practice fiscal responsibility
(*it's hard to believe that someone who holds you in high regard would spend your money frivolously)
(0)
(0)
9
9
0
CPT Brent Ferguson
I cannot respect a man who removed "defend against all enemies both foreign and domestic" from the oath of citizenship. I will rejoice the day his name is no longer uttered. (*and I know his gestapo will likely read that)
(1)
(0)
7
7
0
I personally believe we are to honor the POTUS as long as that person is alive. I also believe I need to respect the person who is and those who have been POTUS even if I vehemently disagree with most of their positions. I find no warrant for any obligation to concur with the POTUS.
I have been praying for each President and their spouse since George H.W. Bush was elected as long as they are in office. I pray for our leaders that we may live peaceful and quiet lives.
I have been praying for each President and their spouse since George H.W. Bush was elected as long as they are in office. I pray for our leaders that we may live peaceful and quiet lives.
(7)
(0)
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
In your description of honor, yes I agree just as we honor each other by using the title and showing respect.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google