Posted on May 2, 2015
How can Servicemembers respectfully show disagreement with elected officials?
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As Servicemembers under Oath, serving the country, how can we respectfully show or tell of our disagreement with elected officials or policies ? What can we do? What would be innapropriate? What things would constitute inappropriate critique or comments about Commanders in Chief? Or are there simply things we cannot say publicly until we leave the military?
Politics
Loyalty
Respect
Office of the President (POTUS)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
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There is several ways to approach this thinking. i am not sure I CAN covery enough.
The legal way, it is outlined for you what you can and cannot do.
Engaging in political discourse and arguing over politics etc. You're actually employed 24/7 so at what time can you argue against your government that you're suppose to be an extension of?
Not voicing your disagreement, does not mean you stop becoming a citizen. However, by utilizing your citizen power, you are now in direct conflict with government power as the two are opposing. Government tries to control people, people tries to control government. It is dynamic if not a direct opposing force.
To continues being a professional soldier, I believe you have to check your activities as a citizen at the door. It is a difficult situation being a representative government, with a archaic military model. The way we operate is just one way, there are infinite ways to operate government/military/citizenship. For example, we could have had the common approach, if you vote for war, I will give you the gun. Go fight your own damn war. We take turn going to bat for what we care about. THe military would be a completely foreign concept to what it is today.
Would your life be compler if you do not ask this questin of yourself? In the big scheme of thing it doesnt matter. Mark Twain and Samuel Clemens are the same character, but I can never seem to associate them together. Maybe you can pull that trick. It may require letting go of you ego, so you can speak your opinion without showing your face. (EGO the key of why US failed at using UN to enforce hegemony, according to another old vet)
The legal way, it is outlined for you what you can and cannot do.
Engaging in political discourse and arguing over politics etc. You're actually employed 24/7 so at what time can you argue against your government that you're suppose to be an extension of?
Not voicing your disagreement, does not mean you stop becoming a citizen. However, by utilizing your citizen power, you are now in direct conflict with government power as the two are opposing. Government tries to control people, people tries to control government. It is dynamic if not a direct opposing force.
To continues being a professional soldier, I believe you have to check your activities as a citizen at the door. It is a difficult situation being a representative government, with a archaic military model. The way we operate is just one way, there are infinite ways to operate government/military/citizenship. For example, we could have had the common approach, if you vote for war, I will give you the gun. Go fight your own damn war. We take turn going to bat for what we care about. THe military would be a completely foreign concept to what it is today.
Would your life be compler if you do not ask this questin of yourself? In the big scheme of thing it doesnt matter. Mark Twain and Samuel Clemens are the same character, but I can never seem to associate them together. Maybe you can pull that trick. It may require letting go of you ego, so you can speak your opinion without showing your face. (EGO the key of why US failed at using UN to enforce hegemony, according to another old vet)
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How can I express my opinions ans stay within regulations and be respectful?
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By voting them out of office. Other than that it up to you. With me, I voice my displeasure privately among friends, in public it was "No comment" even when the politicians are/were traitors.
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No where does anything say you cannot disagree. But, disagree as a private person on your own time without disrespect and outward contempt. Speaking up, however, is not prohibited.
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