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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Politics and religion (or the philosophy of it), in my opinion, should be avoided topics of conversation in professional environments as well as at social places like bars and clubs. Differences in opinion tread down a rocky path and honestly hurt unit cohesion in a military environment. Also, let's be honest here; talking about these kind of things at a bar really just kills the vibe there.
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Leave them alone and remain professional. They have their own demons to deal with so let them be.
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This is ruled by the following:
"The primary guidance concerning political activity for military members is found in DoD
Directive 1344.10 [Guidance for Military Personnel]. Per longstanding DoD policy, active duty
personnel may not engage in partisan political activities and all military personnel should avoid
the inference that their political activities imply or appear to imply DoD sponsorship, approval,
or endorsement of a political candidate, campaign, or cause. Members on active duty may not
campaign for a partisan candidate, engage in partisan fundraising activities, serve as an officer of
a partisan club, or speak before a partisan gathering. Active duty members may, however,
express their personal opinions on political candidates and issues, make monetary contributions
to a political campaign or organization, and attend political events as a spectator when not in
uniform"
I would think that this would continue to relate beyond the election as well. If they are out of uniform then they can say what they want and how they want. If the berating is occurring while in uniform then yes they are subject to discipline but should only get to the level of UCMJ after other methods of changing behavior has been attempted. UCMJ should be the last resort.
"The primary guidance concerning political activity for military members is found in DoD
Directive 1344.10 [Guidance for Military Personnel]. Per longstanding DoD policy, active duty
personnel may not engage in partisan political activities and all military personnel should avoid
the inference that their political activities imply or appear to imply DoD sponsorship, approval,
or endorsement of a political candidate, campaign, or cause. Members on active duty may not
campaign for a partisan candidate, engage in partisan fundraising activities, serve as an officer of
a partisan club, or speak before a partisan gathering. Active duty members may, however,
express their personal opinions on political candidates and issues, make monetary contributions
to a political campaign or organization, and attend political events as a spectator when not in
uniform"
I would think that this would continue to relate beyond the election as well. If they are out of uniform then they can say what they want and how they want. If the berating is occurring while in uniform then yes they are subject to discipline but should only get to the level of UCMJ after other methods of changing behavior has been attempted. UCMJ should be the last resort.
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You are in the military, Political Activity is illegal, period. I am fine with that, I welcome a respite from the endless political arguments. When I was a police officer it was illegal for officers or their union to endorse any politician. I liked that, it settled the argument, period. You have a political opinion and so do I, I'm not interested in yours
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SSgt Christopher Moore
I'm not sure it's illegal to communicate your political opinion on social media just because you are in the military. I'm also not sure social media is governed as robustly as physical activity.
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SSG Jim Beverly
Rank, I feel, is irrelevant. We have every right to disagree. What we don't have, I feel, is the right to demonize, condemn or insult any other American for exercising the right we have sworn our lives to defend.
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I think you are right, people of this country was given the right to choose whom they want without retaliation, this is why we served for this country. I could careless for Trump, but people chose him, I may disagree, but I don't have any bad feelings towards them.
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Like it or not, we all took an oath to uphold, and obey the orders over you to include all Officers and the POTUS. Untill you finish your term.
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There were two topics that I learned were undies table to discuss when I was serving: Politics and Religion. When I did hear my fellow service friends talk about these two subjects the discussions ended up in arguments. I intentionally avoided participating in these discussions.
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