Posted on Apr 17, 2018
Do you believe it is ok for active service members to degrade the POTUS on RP?
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I have seen where many veterans have been making degrading remarks about the President of the United States. However, I also have seen threads where actively serving members, verified by RP, are making disparaging remarks.
Is this thought of as a safe space where military justice does not matter?
Is this thought of as a place where military members think they can exercise their first amendment rights?
Is this thought of as a safe space where military justice does not matter?
Is this thought of as a place where military members think they can exercise their first amendment rights?
Posted in these groups: 
Office of the President (POTUS)
1st Amendment
Office of the President (POTUS) 1st Amendment
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 254
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I think that many think they will not be held accountable, and I think they are right. What they say and do can lead to UCMJ action. But unless it happens it will not stop. This the state our military discipline is currently at.
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I am a retired member of the military, and I always followed the idea that the President is our Commander in Chief, and we never spoke bad about him. Even if you dislike the President it is wrong to disparage him as a military member anywhere!
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Not only no, but hell no! I believe an oath was taken to support and defend/ to obey ALL orders of the commander in chief ...
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I believe if you're not spewing political remarks while in uniform or on duty you are exercising your first amendment, the same cannot be said for when you are at your place of duty. I think when you're at work you should just focus on work and respect your leaders, even if you disagree with them.
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SGT Mary Martel
SPC Mason Wells, you brought up a good distinction. If not in uniform, a Service Member is within their rights to exercise their First Amendment rights. Once retired or separated, that individual returns to civilian status. I understand that there are a few circumstances where retirees are still subject to the UCMJ (I think these reasons are even fewer than previous cases), but I seriously doubt any branch is going to return someone to AD to prosecute them for talking shit about the President. #1., it would be a tremendous waste of resources and time; and #2., Civil Rights organizations across the country would be up-in-arms.
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As a civilian I have the absolute right to express any negative opinions. If, however, I identify myself as a former 11Bravo, my opinions would be expressed in a much more considered manner.
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All citizens have the right to their options but active duty military should never make bad remarks in public especially in uniform
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We all have our political preferences BUT (and there always is one) when in uniform as a service member you give up some of your Constitutional rights...specifically the right to openly voice dissent against the government. You certainly have the right to your opinion but not while in uniform, in public and definitely within earshot of an open mic. If I recall correctly doing so may be a violation of the UCMJ. Times like these is best to bite your tongue and adhere to the old adage that "you don't discuss religion or politics."
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Suspended Profile
Yet another double standard I have seen in the past 2 years. Had these service members been that disrespectful and vocal then, there would have been social and professional consequences.
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