Posted on Feb 23, 2017
Does openly and aggressively berating or insulting people who voted for Hillary or Trump warrant an Article 134 violation under UCMJ?
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*First Edit*
There seems to be some misunderstanding: the nature of my question isn't about disrespecting or defying the POTUS, it's about when service members berate, insult or lash out at civilians, friends, peers or family members on social media or otherwise, simply because they voted for the opposite candidate.
*Second Edit*
Also, to clarify, I believe the behavior in question is wrong. I think some folks interpreted my question as asking for justification to be a jerk, but that couldn't be further from the case. I just wanted to generate discussion about people's opinions regarding whether being aggressive or hateful towards voters because of their choice was just being a crappy person, or a legitimate punitive breach of military bearing and discipline.
When President Obama won, there was a deluge of complaints, the birther movement, a different brand of "Not my president." Now that President Trump has won office, there's similar sentiment. On either side, there is a lot of aggression being thrown around. Do you feel Service Members have a higher responsibility to be respectful of the American voters, regardless of their choice?
Respect of the POTUS is a given, we're expected, as service members, to render that. My question is more in line with respecting the fellow Americans that voted; it seems antithetical to me to be aggressive and hurtful to fellow Americans, especially those that have dissenting opinions from ours, for exercising one of the fundamental rights we swore to uphold and defend.
There seems to be some misunderstanding: the nature of my question isn't about disrespecting or defying the POTUS, it's about when service members berate, insult or lash out at civilians, friends, peers or family members on social media or otherwise, simply because they voted for the opposite candidate.
*Second Edit*
Also, to clarify, I believe the behavior in question is wrong. I think some folks interpreted my question as asking for justification to be a jerk, but that couldn't be further from the case. I just wanted to generate discussion about people's opinions regarding whether being aggressive or hateful towards voters because of their choice was just being a crappy person, or a legitimate punitive breach of military bearing and discipline.
When President Obama won, there was a deluge of complaints, the birther movement, a different brand of "Not my president." Now that President Trump has won office, there's similar sentiment. On either side, there is a lot of aggression being thrown around. Do you feel Service Members have a higher responsibility to be respectful of the American voters, regardless of their choice?
Respect of the POTUS is a given, we're expected, as service members, to render that. My question is more in line with respecting the fellow Americans that voted; it seems antithetical to me to be aggressive and hurtful to fellow Americans, especially those that have dissenting opinions from ours, for exercising one of the fundamental rights we swore to uphold and defend.
Election 2016
UCMJ
Leadership
Character
Office of the President (POTUS)
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 205
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As a service member we are held to higher standards then everyone else. We are not civilians, we should not be saying or doing anything that makes the military look bad because in turn that makes the country look bad. We as a whole should look to unifying everyone no matter who they voted for or their opinion. We are all Americans, no matter their skin color or anything we are all brothers and sisters in this country.
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There was something in there about supporting and defending the constitution of the United States. This comes BEFORE obeying the orders, yada yada yada. IMHO, anyone who voted for Hilliary is not fit to serve. The a visible, vocal portion of the democrat party appear to be seeking the overthrow of the duly elected government by unconstitutional means. Take from that what you will.
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If people voted for someone you didn't like or want then maybe you should think twice of why you are serving and one of the reasons is to preserve democracy. As a retired MGySgt with over 30yrs of service I always told my marines if we are all agreeing all the time someone isn't thinking. Just because someone voted for someone you didn't like isn't a free card to belittle people. Always be respectful because you must remember that whoever you chose or voted on not all people agreed with you either
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The military should never be political. Soldiers serve the people of this country and their elected representative. A professional soldier will respect the office of the President and know the damage caused by disrespecting that office. As with Officers, the rank is respected. I have strong opinions and now that I have been out a while I see the maturity that our soldiers have over those who never served. More Specifically the ANTIFA crowd and college crowd. Professional Soldiers lead the way.
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SP5 Arthur Ben Ephraim
That is what the Third Reich Nazi said, however, we are guided by WW II VICTORY legitimate Nuremberg Trial verdicts.
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As for officers, it could easily fall under "888. ARTICLE 88. CONTEMPT TOWARD OFFICIALS". "916. ARTICLE 116. RIOT OR BREACH OF PEACE" loosely covers the "aggressive" part of your question, but "917. ARTICLE 117. PROVOKING SPEECHES OR GESTURES" pretty much covers your question in general. So, you have the right idea, but the wrong chapter.
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Whom you voted for is your right and choice. I just don't believe why people would berate others who voted for the other party's candidate. A comment of "this POTUS sucks on foreign policy" is fine by me, but if you say this POTUS, or the previous one sucks on every idea, policy, etc. Then I'm going to ask you either why you voted for him/her, did you vote at all, or next time review you choices of politicans running for office before you choose one and vote for that choice. With fellow service members, I will always leave politics at the base gate, where it belongs. We're in the military, not politics.
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After twenty years of being out, I do not remember the different articles by number. However, I do remember the common ones by description, and I would have to say that what you describe, falls underneath disrespect and conduct in becoming.... Both of which, in my time at least, were punishable under the UCMJ.
I personally believe that any soldier, regardless of rank or position, that bad mouths another person because they do not agree with them, is not only being rude and disrespectful, they are harassing and intimidating them as well; and should be held liable, at the least, for conduct unbecoming, which can hold consequences from a slap on the wrist all the way up to court martial, depending on the offense.
I personally believe that any soldier, regardless of rank or position, that bad mouths another person because they do not agree with them, is not only being rude and disrespectful, they are harassing and intimidating them as well; and should be held liable, at the least, for conduct unbecoming, which can hold consequences from a slap on the wrist all the way up to court martial, depending on the offense.
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Yes, I think it does. That said, I don't think it actually deserves punishment unless it's done in a really inappropriate setting. I also find myself really unimpressed with those kinds of people because federal service members are supposed to present themselves as apolitical (at least while in uniform).
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