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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No but CAN get an article 15 for disrupting your mission requirements,and dereliction of duty.
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The two "NEVER'S" of service life have and should never change.
1) NEVER discuss Religion outside of Church!
2) NEVER discuss Politics!
1) NEVER discuss Religion outside of Church!
2) NEVER discuss Politics!
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The question as posed begs clarification. In uniform, in an official capacity? or in mufti, at the local watering hole? When in an official capacity, speaking out carries the possibility of UCMJ repercussions ranging from mild to incarceration. Out of uniform, off duty, while you might be a jerk for doing so, there is no muzzle on political behavior save when one states or implies they are speaking for the service.
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I am going to simply say that as a soldier, you respect the office and keep you political opinions to yourself. As a citizen respect the office and exercise your constitutional rights of protest and free speech. Anything other than that is a violation of the oath you took as a serviceman and in the other case criminal and un-American as a citizen
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Traditionally in the military there are two subjects which are verboten: politics and religion. I was taught that by my Father who was also taught this by his Father. I do not feel either subject should be a discussion topic for those of us in uniform.
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they can say what they want to say about Russia. but i voted just like i always have voted for the past 56 years with no problem. all this junk about Russias infulence on the Americans and there vote. Who do the crooked politicians think they are joking. can any one tell me of one person that was that was influenced.
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COL John Hudson
"...can any one tell me of one person that was that was influenced." Answer = Hillary Clinton (wink!).
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Politics should not be a point of discussion in a military setting. For someone to berate anyone just for having a different political view is wrong. I myself do not mind having a pointed argument with the opposing side provide they can do this intelligently. But I never talked politics in uniform or on duty.
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SGT. I recently said something on another social network or answered a comment on a post. To be honest, he Trump is POTUS and the highest office in the land. Several people didn't agree with me and they certainly let me know it. In that same turn, I certainly wasn't a Clinton fan. In fact, I am not a Democrat fan. Politics is getting to political.
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