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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I'm torn about this question. I guess if one wants to destroy their relationships with family and friends because of politics, that is their right. Now If they are active duty and currently serving in the military, Then for them to be rate a fellow soldier in any capacity over politics then I think the UCMJ comes into play. Because in the End who ever you voted for, you better be ready to fight for this country. Like Jesus told his apostle's, a house divided against itself cannot stand.
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While you are in the US Military, you can vote that is your Constitutional Right. What you cannot do is to campaign, run for political office or publically speak on behalf of a political candidate running for political office while in uniform. (US Code Title 10)....The UCMJ was created to protect the servicemember contrary to popular belief. What you do and say both in word and deed will reflect the organization that you are assigned to and can affect your career choices. What am saying is that if you got something to say, stay in your lane. If you stray or come out of your lane...you are going to get bit. Remember...It all reflects back to you who serve, your unit, your family and to the military as a whole.
When I was in the military, folks who were in the same section, squad, platoon talked to one another and ya, we all shared those viewpoints, however we stayed in our lane. We did not go out looking for a fight with our fellow countryman. And if those who did, our First Segeant had some real good extra duty details just for those with that kind of energy.
I advise you to Stay in your lane.
Ask yourself, "What can I afford to do?" or "What impact will this affect my unit, my family and my military/civilian community?"
When I was in the military, folks who were in the same section, squad, platoon talked to one another and ya, we all shared those viewpoints, however we stayed in our lane. We did not go out looking for a fight with our fellow countryman. And if those who did, our First Segeant had some real good extra duty details just for those with that kind of energy.
I advise you to Stay in your lane.
Ask yourself, "What can I afford to do?" or "What impact will this affect my unit, my family and my military/civilian community?"
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Service members have a higher responsibility to be respectful PERIOD
Let's look at it another way...Would it be okay for a soldier (sailor, airman or marine) to berate and belittle someone for the way they dress? Eat? What movie they watch?
It's not the type of thing anyone should do, much less a service member.
Let's look at it another way...Would it be okay for a soldier (sailor, airman or marine) to berate and belittle someone for the way they dress? Eat? What movie they watch?
It's not the type of thing anyone should do, much less a service member.
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I am a Conservative, in other words, Transgender Republican. I make it a point to NEVER berate or insult anyone for their political beliefs. I even have a t-shirt with the following message on it: Transgender Veteran: I fought for your right to hate me (in Infantry Blue :) ).
I HAVE, however, gotten quite a bit of flak for MY political views and believe it or not it was NOT mainly from supposedly Transphobic Republicans but from my fellow Transgender Sisters with a very definite belief that as someone who is Transgender I am required to vote a straight Democratic Ticket. So much so that by at least 2 of them I was referred to as a Quisling. This actually impressed me enough not to be offended (I don't get offended) because this is a term that most people don't even know. I do know what a Quisling is because I love Military History.
I HAVE, however, gotten quite a bit of flak for MY political views and believe it or not it was NOT mainly from supposedly Transphobic Republicans but from my fellow Transgender Sisters with a very definite belief that as someone who is Transgender I am required to vote a straight Democratic Ticket. So much so that by at least 2 of them I was referred to as a Quisling. This actually impressed me enough not to be offended (I don't get offended) because this is a term that most people don't even know. I do know what a Quisling is because I love Military History.
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Treating others with disrespect or distain because of their political choice is no differnt than treating them differently because of their race, , choice of religion, sex, sexual orentation etc. I believe that military members should always remember that they freely joined the US military in order to serve and protect our way of life, all of it's citizens and the US Constitution.
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Isn't "Openly and aggressively" attacking ANYONE, civilian or fellow military, conduct unbecoming?
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As a person serving in the military you should always show respect to the President. He is the Commander in Chief.
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When I was on active duty, I tried to govern my behavior about politics to the Hatch Act. The same rules that cover civilian employees. That meant that I checked my partisan politics at the door.
It would be wrong to use a position of authority to advocate to those serving with me what they should do.
It would be wrong to use a position of authority to advocate to those serving with me what they should do.
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Generally, I would say no. Article 134 seems like a wasted resource to punish someone for a social media rant. Now if someone went off on his commander or the mayor of their city, or a statesman using profanity or race-based rhetoric, I'd say that's probably grounds for an Article 15. I didn't support Bush (W), but when I was introduced to Myspace and later Facebook, I made certain that I made no inappropriate remarks on social media about American leadership, to include anyone who voted for them.
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