Posted on Jan 2, 2014
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Recently I've been hearing countless remarks, and seeing posts from soldiers and veterans alike. Down talking our commander in chief. How do you feel about this? Should this be allowed within our ranks? Does freedom of speech really play a part?<br><br>
Posted in these groups: 
Barack Obama
Respect
Barack Obama Respect
Edited 12 y ago
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 929
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I firmly believe in Freedom of Speech. That is what this great Country was founded on. That said, I also feel that a certain decorum is required while in Uniform. As a private Citizen, I can have my beliefs and I make those beliefs known, at the ballot box. Now as a new Retiree, I hope I can speak my mind without fear of retribution. If it is, then it makes us no better than Valenzuela or China or Russia. But differing opinions and expressing those opinions has been and is what makes this Country great.
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SPC Buck,
I suspect you are now a veteran due to the V by your name, so my comments will be directed from a veterans point of view. We all at one point stood before an officer and raised our right hand, pledging before god and country to support and defend the Constitution and the order of those appointed above us. Never in my service, have I swayed from this pledge, nor do I expect you did.
I do agree that as military members we owe the Office of the President the honor it is due, and that there is a time and a place for comments to be made. As military members we are expected to give up a portion of our rights as they apply to Freedom of Speech. However once out of the military and no longer owing a commitment to active or reserve military service, we are considered citizens in the same right as any other man or woman who has served.
So in that respect I feel there is no injustice for someone who has served this country honorably in voicing their opinions about the man or woman who sits in the chair of Commander and Chief. This individual was elected into this role and is offered the full potential to understand the enormity of the job they take on and the consequences that come with it. If this individual cant handle the rhetoric from those who have served under their command, then I would question their ability to lead and manage this great nation.
In closing, and to directly answer your question there is a time and place when in service of our nation, and the most effective way for us to voice that opinion is in our privilege to vote every four years and as dictated by local and state elections.
I suspect you are now a veteran due to the V by your name, so my comments will be directed from a veterans point of view. We all at one point stood before an officer and raised our right hand, pledging before god and country to support and defend the Constitution and the order of those appointed above us. Never in my service, have I swayed from this pledge, nor do I expect you did.
I do agree that as military members we owe the Office of the President the honor it is due, and that there is a time and a place for comments to be made. As military members we are expected to give up a portion of our rights as they apply to Freedom of Speech. However once out of the military and no longer owing a commitment to active or reserve military service, we are considered citizens in the same right as any other man or woman who has served.
So in that respect I feel there is no injustice for someone who has served this country honorably in voicing their opinions about the man or woman who sits in the chair of Commander and Chief. This individual was elected into this role and is offered the full potential to understand the enormity of the job they take on and the consequences that come with it. If this individual cant handle the rhetoric from those who have served under their command, then I would question their ability to lead and manage this great nation.
In closing, and to directly answer your question there is a time and place when in service of our nation, and the most effective way for us to voice that opinion is in our privilege to vote every four years and as dictated by local and state elections.
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While on Active Duty, I wholeheartedly agree with you. When one enlists or accepts a commission in the military, they accept certain limitations on their personal freedoms (grooming, travel, speech, etc.). Once that obligation is complete, those restrictions are lifted, and they have the same freedoms that any other American has. Whether or not the comments are tasteful or advisable is a different discussion.
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MSG Mitch Dowler
Citizens are not stripped of civil rights while serving on active duty. Grooming and travel are the same as for any job and accepted as part of the contract or commission. Relinquishing basic civil rights such as free speech and the second amendment are not part of the job. Soldiers are Citizens first and have the right to participate in the political process even if it involves just criticism of the COI. As soldiers we just may not do that in uniform or as representatives of the military or federal government. Even voting against the president in an election is a form of criticism and even Civilians who have never served are currently being targeted by our current president using executive branch departments such as the EPA, DOE, and IRS.
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SGT Kevin Smith
While I understand that we all "raise our hand" willingly, I do believe that we do and should exercise our Constitutional rights. As long as it does not lead to violence, no one has been hurt voicing their opinions.
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SGT Kevin Smith
My point has been pretty simple. As an American that volunteered to serve my Country, I have always believed that you could and should be able to voice your opinions, or not express your opinions. I do draw the line to making your point by either the tip of the spear or the barrel of a Gun, that's it. If you choose not to express yourself, then that's your choice. And BTW about my Service time, I know they don't teach Math in the Navy, but if you count what is on my timeline, it is 15 years. I have not finished adding my Units.
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Not saying all soldiers, but I think soldiers that do speak negatively of the President fail to realize what all entails in being the President. Those soldiers who do disrespect the President are those who can't put their own views past the greater good. Moreover, its even sadder because they choose to wear a uniform to protect the freedoms we are afforded
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Quite simply while you wear the uniform speaking ill of the Commander in Chief is not allowed, period. My family has die-hard folks that stand on both sides of the political fence. I myself have always been pretty politically opinionated. However, while I wear this uniform I keep my opinions with regard to the president to myself. We get to speak with our vote.
Now, once you hang up the uniform it is a different story. I feel that once you have done your time, you have earned your voice. I am old school so I still believe a veteran should keep it professional. But they have earned the right to speak their mind.
Now, once you hang up the uniform it is a different story. I feel that once you have done your time, you have earned your voice. I am old school so I still believe a veteran should keep it professional. But they have earned the right to speak their mind.
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SFC Ian Lumgair
We are members of the United States Armed services. POTUS is our Commander In Chief. With that in mind, somehow, some way, we have forgotten that he is just a citizen of the United States. No more no less, that means his behavior and actions are subject to our critique. In fact as an elected official in this republic, he is first and foremost subject to the laws that govern his office. He is accountable for his actions to the people that elect him. He is accountable via, the functions of the election, and he is accountable to the oversight critique / criticism of the people that elected him. Have we forgotten that? I say Yes. We are service members in the military that means that we are professional and courteous, but, first and foremost we are Citizens of this Republic. I keep seeing the argument that you would not say that too or about your Commander, SNCO ext. WRONG!!!! They are governed by regulations just like POTUS is constrained by the Constitution, If you do not have the personal integrity to speak up when a SM (no matter the rank) violates a regulation you have no right to wear that uniform, or when the President or any another elected or appointed official violates and or exceeds the constraints office. You should not be wearing that uniform, In this republic you have every right to philosophically to not agree with what they are doing. You keep to the constraints of the argument, and you are always professional, but because you are a citizen of this country you are first and foremost required to make your voice heard. With all that said. You know what? If that individual in whatever office they occupy, in or out of the service if they don't like it. here is a great quote for them
If he / she "can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen." Harry S Truman
If he / she "can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen." Harry S Truman
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SFC Christopher Perry
I think we might be looking at this on different levels. I don't disagree with your point at all. I think this may in fact have been my running with an answer based more on the result of a preceding post than the question asked. I was talking more of the folks blatanty bashing the president than I was of simple criticism. I was never one to lose my voice or my opinion. I simply learned the limits that my wearing the uniform required of me.
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No talking bad about the boss. Thats cut and dry. I have my personal opinons, about the POTUS, and other leaders. But while I still wear this uniform, I keep it personal. <br><br>Now when I retire..............
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Talk is cheap if you have a problem write your congressperson and vote. If you are active, there is a mission you are failing because your are complaining see your supervisor if unsure what that mission is. If veteran refer to my first statement. If you have a beef with the president personally say it to his face.
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If you look at the UCMJ, it is actually illegal to talk like that. However, for we that did our service and are done, we can now practice freedom of speech.
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While serving on active duty my job was to support and defend but as a retired Sailor my job is to have a voice for those who are currently serving on active duty who are protecting and serving and keeping their voice in check, minus the ability to vote for a better leader.<br><br>I am very vocal that this commander and Chief does not have the best interest of veterans, retired or active duty service members. His goal from the beginning has been to cut the ranks of the military, stop the wars and push progressive agendas. The most upsetting for me is I was a democrat until I worked for the Federal Government and saw first hand the illegal activities and bullying from political appointees. <br><br>I am not a Republican and still can't support the Democratic party because they constantly preaching intolerance and hate, unless you blindly believe in what they are offering. <br><br>When the military blindly follow leaders without question they are putting themselves into a situation of distrust. We are here to protect our nation from enemies foreign and domestic. Yes, a president that doesn't have enforce his duties and circumvents the constitution is a threat to our society. In our countries history I have only seen one other president create such distrust and division and that was Abraham Lincoln. He purposefully dominated the government, divided our country and ignored the congress. <br><br>Many people hail him as the man who freed the slaves but many don't realize that he is also the man that divided our country and directly supported the deaths of more than 450,000 Americans. His divisions created hate groups like the KKK and trounced all over state sovereignty. He really didn't free the slaves, in fact he waited as long as politically possible before he freed them and when he did it was conditional and then he supported not paying them for serving in the military and required separate units. He encouraged using those units as suicide squads and didn't properly train.<br><br>If we don't question our leaders who will. It is the job of all Americans to question leadership not because we can but our ethics and morals as a society require. We swore an oath but with that oath comes the responsibility of knowing the constitution and supporting and defending that paper not a blind allegiance to a president.<br>
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CPT Jack Durish
You have been exposed to a truly perverted version of history and, if you'll indulge me for just a few moments, I will hopefully correct that situation. First, let me reassure you that the following is fully backed by document evidence. Providing it all here would require pages and pages of text far beyond that which I have time to write or you would have time or inclination to read. You may however check it out for yourself unless, of course, you are afraid.<div><br></div><div>The division of the states began long before Lincoln was even born. </div><div><br></div><div>The split was threatening to happen long before he arrived to take office as President.</div><div><br></div><div>His predecessor, President Buchanan, lived in fear that the Civil War would begin before his term ended.</div><div><br></div><div>When the southern states seceded, Lincoln's Cabinet, his "Team of Rivals" were content to allow them to leave the Union and thought they were going to manipulate Lincoln into allowing them.</div><div><br></div><div>Lincoln convinced his Cabinet, those remaining in Congress, and the people of the remaining United States that the country could not long succeed fractured. </div><div><br></div><div>Lincoln was right.</div><div><br></div><div>Interestingly, the greatest complaints against Lincoln following the Civil War were propagated by those who didn't fight.</div><div><br></div><div>Southern soldiers generally respected Lincoln, especially after reading or hearing reports of his speech at Gettysburg. They felt that Lincoln understood better than even their own leaders the plight of the soldier.</div><div><br></div><div>Go ahead. Check it out, if you dare.</div>
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2LT (Join to see)
I disagree with your assessment of Lincoln, CPO. Lincoln in no way divided the nation. The nation was radically divided by the concepts of "slave" and "free". In fact, the Union intent of the war was not to even abolish slavery for the first part of the war and to actually ensure the continued union of states. Examples of the divided nature of the nation prior to Lincoln can be seen in the MO compromise. Division at that time emerged more from influential members of the government such as Calhoun than Lincoln. <div><br></div><div>But to blame a single man for the civil war and all inclusive deaths is ignorant, especially since the South fired the first shot of the war. Concerning slavery, no, he did not free the slaves. Congress did, with great urging from Lincoln. Regardless of your readings, the fact that Lincoln (by the end of the war) openly supported abolition and pushed very hard for it, in fact wagering his re-election on it, shows that he very much supported his words at Gettysburg. </div><div><br></div><div>While there are events, such as the the Maryland arrests and the Kentucky riots that suggest that everything he did was not "above the table", I ask "what politician is completely legitimate?". All said, I believe that comparing Lincoln to the current POTUS is a far cry, though it happens. Every politician has their flaws but we must remember a few things: The current POTUS was lawfully elected two consecutive times by the will of the people; All congressmen and women were legally and legitimately elected by the will of their constituents; the President's job is not to kowtow to the military and their needs, it is to lead in a manner that supports the best interest of the people at large. If the majority of the people want "x", then who are you to say that the majority of people are wrong? This is the nature of democratic voting: not everybody will be happy. Service members are taking hits right now. We don't like it, but there are fiscal conservatives out there and austerity supporters who cheer. While you may not like these, as far as I know, they are legal political events. If you have seen something that is actually ILLEGAL, then it is your responsibility to bring it to light and report it through official channels. </div>
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I know the rules: don't talk bad about the president on any social media, or to anyone who might turn you in. You can't help but have your own opinions about the President, but follow the rules. That being said, I have never had a boss that I 100% agreed with, and I never will. Doesn't mean I can't express my views with people close to me. If you don't like the boss or the rules: move on. Become your own boss, then you can talk bad about yourself as much as you want.
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