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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Name-calling or bashing anyone on social media is tasteless and unprofessional, whether you are an Officer, a Warrant Officer, an NCO, Junior Enlisted, or Civilian. I supported both of our Presidents in all four of the terms they have
served since I put on this uniform and it chagrins me to see my peers
trash either one of them. HOWEVER, the questioning of judgement or motives of those appointed over Enlisted military members is their prerogative, and if we move to a place where there is no freedom of speech on social media platforms, we will quickly become fascist.<br>
served since I put on this uniform and it chagrins me to see my peers
trash either one of them. HOWEVER, the questioning of judgement or motives of those appointed over Enlisted military members is their prerogative, and if we move to a place where there is no freedom of speech on social media platforms, we will quickly become fascist.<br>
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PO1 Michael Spivey
LCpl Michael Cappello - Knowing the oath taken is for life is not limited to Marines. No where in the oath taken and spoken is there a time limit or period declared. It is also very important to realize that the US Constitution is actually a legally binding contract between the Federal Government and the States, that the Constitution was not written by the federal Government it must simply abide and be limited by it. Like all contracts absent a contract amendment the meanings and usage of words and phases are locked into what they meant and how they were use when written, so it is VERY important to understand what the words and phrases meant THEN not how they are used NOW.
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LCpl Michael Cappello
PO1 Michael Spivey - Well said. VERY well said. The words that were used then, have NOT changed in their meaning, or their intent. The problem, in my estimation, is that most people do not speak clear and concise English, these days. Colloquialisms and slang have tended to , pardon my English, "bastardize" the English language. Add to that the fact that most people are NOT well versed with our Constitution. let's face it. Most people do not even know that the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution are two separate documents. Now we have governmental "Representatives" who publicly proclaim that "Committing a crime, does NOT make someone a criminal". Hence, the ?LOGIC? that entering this country ILLEGALLY, is not a crime.
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PO1 Michael Spivey
LCpl Michael Cappello - You are correct languages and words and phrases in languages drift in meaning and usage. Some perfect examples of drift are, Computer at the time of the founding a computer is one who deals the numbers we would call that person an accountant today, Corn which at the time of the founding and for about 50 more years simply meant grains and still does in the UK, what we call Corn today was Maize or Indian Sweet Corn (grain), wheat, barley, oats, millet, maize, black pepper, Black powder, salt, etc. it also means to form into grains (Black Powder) or to granulate and to preserve or season with salt in grains and to cure or preserve in brine containing preservatives and often seasonings ie corned beef. As is done in the English language names or shortened or morphed so Indian sweet corn became simply corn. A good one is the word Gay, how it changed from simply meaning happy to what it has been bastardized to mean today is beyond me!!
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The checks and balances are in place. Unless impeached, he is the Commander In Chief. Promoting propaganda that is contrary to good order and discipline can lead to a Court Martial. <br>Don't do it, don't tolerate those who do. Especially from a superior that refuses to have his authority questioned... Because that is just being a hypocrite.<br>In the meantime, exercise your right to vote, refuse to follow illegal orders and defend the Constitution.<br>
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MSG Richard Pierce
Religion and politics are always touchy subjects. As far as bad mouthing the commander in chief IMO you never do it in a command position, such as Platoon Sgt, squad leader in other words do not venture your opinion to subordinates. If I were in the NCO club and had a discussion with my peers and being civil I see no problem with discussing your opinions . I personally while in the Army would not broadcast my political feelings on facebook or any social media , but when I left active duty in 1986 social media did not exist so my opinions are outdated I am sure .I believe in freedom of speech but use common sense where you use it. The higher the rank the more significance of unlawful orders for my time I never received or gave one but I surely would not have followed one had I.
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LCpl Michael Cappello
CPL Amie Mclaughlin - And, were you taught, as we in the Corps were taught, that the chain of command had MANY checks to determine if an order was LAWFUL ??? Were you also taught that orders, when given through your chain of command, that were NOT followed, those who did NOT follow said orders, would face MULTIPLE charges, under the UCMJ ?? That your dereliction of duty, insubordination, failure to follow orders, etc... would be CHARGEABLE, under the UCMJ, until such orders were PROVEN to be unlawful? Not to mention, anticipation of the possibility, that someone "appointed above you" in the military chain of command, is NOT part of your job description? You do realize, don't you, that, were you fail to obey an order, with alacrity, and explained that your reason why, was because YOU had to first determine whether you believed that order to be unlawful, you could be up on charges of your own. I am unaware whether you are still on active duty or reserve status. Even inactive reserve. If you do not mind a little advice. PLEASE take a little time, and read as many comments and conversations published by SSgt Mary Dungan. My comments and evaluation of her aside, speak to those who are more senior, higher rank, longer time in grade, etc... Single out those whom you consider to be squared away, conscientious, patriotic, and overall GOOD WARRIORS. Ask their opinion of her and others like her. Don't let my E-3 rank fool you. In small, top heavy fields, promotion is slow. I only served one hitch. I was looking at time in grade for a long time. E1-E2 & E2-E3, were BOTH Meritorious promotions. I was even recommended for MECEP. My valuation of her, is someone I would HIGHLY recommend avoiding. Talk to people you respect and admire. See what they have to say. Don't let bad advice ruin your career.
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SPC Timothy Coleman
But, what if that "Propaganda" comes from DJT and/or his administration directly? And then Soldiers ver batem just re-iterate said talking points? And then propaganda that From our Administration that is contrary to good order and discipline, leads the soldier to to a Court Martial. Just like the consequences of quoting Charlie Kirk ver batem has led to unfortunate consequences.
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let me make a couple points. Im no longer subject to the UCMJ! so i can pretty much say anything i want (freedom of speech)! not saying the IRS wont come after me! But as long as your ACTIVE Duty, it is your job to respect the position of POTUS and your Commander in Chief, even if you dont like him or his policies. When i was in Alaska and they forced the military to go to the AFB Hanger to see Clinton, there was a E-7 AF NCO that was saying something derogitory about Clinton (which hated the military). Secret Service over heard him and he got booted out of the military. Ive seen a post before that the same situation has happened with Obama also. If your Active Duty, you just cant do it without a "chance" of you being charged under UCMJ. Thats why I was suprised that some of you active duty people on here making some of your coments. not saying i disagree with you, but your taking unnecessary chances on your career. and if your a senior NCO or officer, your definately taking a chance. Not to mention we all know now that the NSA monitors FB, along with your phone, computor, internet, etc. I know you want tovoice you opinions, but think first and maybe let veterans speak for you...........Now my second point, If im not active duty, I will call it like i see it, if his policies hurt the military, when he tries to take away our benefits we were promised and sacrificed for, when he is lieing to us or trying to BS military families, im going to make it known best i can. if your active duty, about the only thing you can do is maybe talk within your small circle of buddies and most of all go vote! A lot of military just say oh well when it comes to voting and skip it. if all military and vets vote, that is a pretty large group. and like the POTUS said himself, "Elections have consequences"! i think people are realizing that, but too late. And never believe those STAGED photo ops and SPEECHES with military in the background, they are politically staged. Sorry to say, but it is well known that Democrat politicians do not like the military and will hollow it out and take everything they can from it. they are the first ones to throw the military up for cuts but at the same time want to fund illegals, etc. i cannot remember in my lifetime, one democrat president (maybe Kennedy 50 years ago) that supported the military. they just show up for your vote and then go vote away your pay raise. i could keep going but just beware active duty brothers, they will make a example out of you to try to scare anyone against their agenda!
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SP5 Delphis Kaczowski
SGT (Join to see) - Always remember "Mai Lai" in Nam. American soldiers murdered unarmed civilians (Old men & women/some pregnant & children).
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SP5 Delphis Kaczowski
An US Army helicopter pilot (Warrant Officer) saw what was going on and landed his Chinook & stopped the assault. There are people in uniform that know right from wrong. This was "NO FOG OF WAR". The Geneva Conventions should be taught at every basic military training school & probably by the chaplains in the field. We are NOT allowed to even execute POW's.
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SSgt Robert Simonds
SPC Daniel Dresen - you have a lot of bitterness and hatered in your heart. Something you will need help in. solving. Aparently you are not a christian as praying and forgiveness works wonders to relieve the stress you seem to be living under. If not good luck on your exile. it is a happy place you will be moving to.
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PO1 Michael Spivey
SP5 Delphis Kaczowski - In 1977-78 following finding and orders of the My Lia Courts Martial training was instituted US Military wide. The training class I sat in when AD had the NAS Moffett Field JAG (O7) in attendance the main points were Oath, Responsibility, and that "I was obeying Orders" is not a defense if the order is unlawful. The training hammered in that one had better be sure it is actually an unlawful order, BUT if it is unlawful that all are oath bound to not only say no BUT HELL NO. We all left that training subdued, we all knew our oath had weight and it was a lot of responsibility, but we were all the final test if an order is actually illegal and reprehensible.
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<p><font color="#000000" face="Calibri" size="3">Should never be tolerated regardless of the regulation - he is the Commander and Chief. </font></p><p><font color="#000000" face="Calibri" size="3"><br></font></p><p><font color="#000000" face="Calibri" size="3">Article 88 of the UCMJ is rooted in the British Articles of War
of 1765</font></p><p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><font color="#000000" face="Calibri" size="3">In June 1775, the Continental Congress adopted this
provision and slightly modified the language to make it applicable to the
Continental Army during the RevolutionaryWar. In 1776, Congress amended the
provision to prohibit the use of traitorous or disrespectful words against the
United States Congress or any state legislature in which a soldier or officer
may be quartered. The provision was modified again in 1806 to preclude the
President and Vice President from being treated as objects of disrespect. The
provision remained unchanged until Congress incorporated it into Article 88 of
the UCMJ in 1950.</font></p><p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
<br></font></p>
of 1765</font></p><p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><font color="#000000" face="Calibri" size="3">In June 1775, the Continental Congress adopted this
provision and slightly modified the language to make it applicable to the
Continental Army during the RevolutionaryWar. In 1776, Congress amended the
provision to prohibit the use of traitorous or disrespectful words against the
United States Congress or any state legislature in which a soldier or officer
may be quartered. The provision was modified again in 1806 to preclude the
President and Vice President from being treated as objects of disrespect. The
provision remained unchanged until Congress incorporated it into Article 88 of
the UCMJ in 1950.</font></p><p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
<br></font></p>
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PO3 Bobby Quisenberry
I am the 2nd cousin of GW. What was meant then is not what is meant now. GW set the high standard for being entirely truthful, caring for and everything for the benefit of the people, limiting interaction with foreign countries with respect to treaties etc., except for commerce. No, everything GW said, which is unfathomable in amount, has fallen by the wayside by a lot of self interested, lying, conniving, treasonist politicians trying to rob us of free speech for their own selfish self interests and criminal activities. At this point we need to get over the stand by your leaders, right or wrong, especially when it is all wrong and benefits no one except themselves.
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Contrary to popular belief and to what democrats would have you believe Soldiers and especially Veterans have earned their right to Freedom of Speech and they (we) protect that right for other Americans with their (our) lives. If we are burdened with an inept, incompetent, and unpopular leader do to his distain and professed hatred of the military then we as Soldiers and Veterans not only have a right but a duty to speak out against such leaders. Especially since this particular commander-in-chief is actively relieving any general officer that does not agree with him then someone should have the balls to speak out against him!
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PO2 Joseph Fast
LT William Pellegrini - Shame on you. I'm an atheist liberal and I don't mischaracterize the statements made by Trump and pretend like he said it about the rest of us. You're not the first, nor the last to post articles which PROVE that he was talking about McCain and then attribute it to "us in addition to McCain".
This is as absolutely reprehensible behavior for a person who had your status. Next you'll show me the fact check about biden's speech and show me "false" while not reading the part where they say "We labeled this false because we have no proof Joseph Stalin actually said that".
The dishonesty of you democrats are why this atheist liberal votes red. I'm sick and tired of the lying through omission and mischaracterization. Every one of you anti-liberal democrats give REAL liberals like myself a bad name.
This is as absolutely reprehensible behavior for a person who had your status. Next you'll show me the fact check about biden's speech and show me "false" while not reading the part where they say "We labeled this false because we have no proof Joseph Stalin actually said that".
The dishonesty of you democrats are why this atheist liberal votes red. I'm sick and tired of the lying through omission and mischaracterization. Every one of you anti-liberal democrats give REAL liberals like myself a bad name.
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Angela Brzeczkowski
PO1 Ray Chatterton the Republican party, the tea party and anyone else who is conservative has never supported the KKK. That's ridiculous. It has been and always will be the democratic institution that brings division over race and supplying money to their cronies. Silly
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Angela Brzeczkowski
Not sure why I couldnt respond before. Here's the thing about Pres. Bush. Jr. He was the lesser of 2 evils. I look at policies and procedures and when policies are not good for all, then you know procedures won't be adhered to
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I too agree the office is sacred and key to our stature in the world. However, when the president demeans that office and brings shame to it by his actions or inactions, then he must be held accountable like everyone else in the chain of command. Officers NCOs and enlisted alike are held to the standard of their uniform and service. If they do anything to shame or soil the uniform or their service, they are held accountable all the way from non-judicial punishment to court martial. When this president took his world tour and apologized for the wrongs done by America, it made me sick. All I can see is the number of crosses and Stars of David and other religious symbols denoting a dead soldier, sailor, airman, or marine buried there and did so to ensure the world was free of despots and monsters. Now he is stripping down the military, which to me only weakens us as a nation, while future enemies like China and Russia continue to build up their armies and navies. I was chastised on this forum for asking a question about sinister motives this president might have because of cuts to flag officers. Since then, a flag officer, Gen. Paul Vallely, has come forward and stated publicly that Barry has weakened the military with the idea of instilling martial law and confiscating fire arms from citizens before he leaves office. Also, the National Guards are being placed under the Dept. of Homeland Security instead of DoD and state governors. I do not know if that has been completed, but if not, it is in the works. My point is this commander in chief is the worst leader we have ever had in that office. He make Jimmy Carter and Richard Nixon look effective and honest. If he is not stopped, he will destroy our nation and may have already but us past the point of no return.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
This is really an OLD post! As are the selections! SSG William Patton
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PVT (Join to see)
If Hitler was our commander, would you follow him to? At some point you're going to have to make a decision and go with it!
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Capt Adam Saxe
LT William Pellegrini - Afghanistan was a "war of choice," designed only to prop up the "capitalist corporations that make up our Military Industrial Complex," huh? I seem to remember al-Qaida, based in & protected by Taliban-run Afghanistan having something to do with our "choice." Wars of self-defense are not "choices."
The wisdom of our long-term stabilization/counter-insurgency mission is another story. But there were no foul motives behind that, either.
The wisdom of our long-term stabilization/counter-insurgency mission is another story. But there were no foul motives behind that, either.
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I was always told as a leader you cannot demand respect but must earn it. In my opinion the current president has not earned my respect..... we swear an oath the protect and defend the constitution and not to a setting president who may or may not be upholding it.....and I will leave it at this.
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SGT (Join to see)
PV2 Larry Sellnow - Careful, your Trump Derangement Syndrome is showing there. If the Demonrat party can do all this to people that weren't even at the capitol, as well as what they have been trying to do to President Trump, they can do the same to you, only worse and they don't care if the world sees them do it.
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SGT (Join to see)
So you can't give a cogent response, so instead you resort to threats of violence. Yep, you are a Demonrat.
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SGT (Join to see)
You are out of your mind, I guess you forgot about the antifi/blm riots before hand huh, YOU and your Marxist liberal friends tried to burn federal buildings and police stations with people still inside in Portland. January 6 was not violent.
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Cpl Randy Owen
SGT (Join to see) - I agree that everyone is forgetting those facts, but all evidence I've seen indicate it wasn't a partisan situation. Lot of people were upset with no jobs, no supplies, no unemployment. All around a bad deal for the common man. Most police and firemen that I know say a lot of these events were planned in advance and were purposely disrupted by antifa and the other groups.
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As for him "trying to do what's right" when has he ever? He wants to raise the cost of tricare to force the military onto the exchange. He wants to cut military benefits. He has lied to the Aemrican people so often, the only way you can tell he's lying now is if his lips are moving. He is replacing good, honest soldiers (senior commanders) with those who will do his bidding regardless of how much he violates the Constitution. He violates the Constitution whenever he feels like it, despite his oath to uphold and defend it. I could go on, but why bother.
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SSG Ralph Belander
When I was active duty I had to take my sexual harassment prevention training and NOT point out that our POTUS used his power and position to gain sexual favors from an intern. As a Veteran I will darn well say what I want. Of course a well thought out argument is better than a bunch of curses strung together, but to each their own.
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SPC Lyle Montgomery
I agree that SOB Obama is just as bad. I personally did not like Bill Clinton but he didn't screw things up as bad as Biden and Oboma who was a racist.
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SGT (Join to see)
PV2 Larry Sellnow - TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!! TDS ALERT!!!
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It's sad but true that active duty personnel surrender some of the rights accorded to ordinary citizens for the sake of military order and discipline. No, they cannot be ordered to do something illegal, especially not something that violates anyone's Constitutional rights. And it is very difficult for them to make snap decisions about the legality of an order, especially in the heat of battle. Hey, no one said it was easy to serve. I remember this well inasmuch as I once served albeit in the distant past.<div><br></div><div>That is why I feel it is incumbent on veterans to speak on behalf of those on active duty. We can still serve if only to be their voice.</div><div><br></div><div>That being said, I have the greatest sympathy for those serving today. Their Commander-in-Chief has no respect for them or the Constitution they are sworn to defend. I apologize to them for being among the population who elected and, even worse, reelected him. No, I didn't vote for him, but neither did I do all that I could to have worked for the election of someone, anyone better. It is that failure that inspires me to speak out even more forcefully today for those on active duty. I hope they will do the same when they become veterans (and I pray that they survive to enjoy that status some day).</div>
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SSG (Join to see)
Well said CPT Durish. First 2 paragraphs are awesome. <div>Can't comment on the last as per standard. </div>
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SFC (Join to see)
I applaud you in all you have written, not as some. You have spoken fact. A fact that can not be denied and even Carter is laughing..........FACTS speak volumes. Pay attention, listen, learn and educate........
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As a retired SFC and a current VA employee I support and respect the office of the Persident regardless of how I feel about the man, but I can't ignore the way I feel when a Veteran calls me and tells me how he/she was told that they had to disenroll from the VA in order to use a healthcare system that in most cases will cost so much more than their VA healthcare. The cuts to Veteran's benefits needs to stop. When it comes to cuts being made , tell me who really earned their pensions and benefits. Was it the elected officials that get get paid millions of dollars over a life time and vote for their own pay raise, or was it the Veteran's or the families of Veterans that fought and in some cases died for their country? Or how about they consider reducing/stopping aid to countries all around the world when we have homeless people and people that need aid right here at home. How is it that they can justify that when they don't care enough for our own country, not to mention the multi-trillion dollar deficit we have now? It's easy to see why. It's because most politicians only care about their own pockets and how things affect them. They say whatever they think well get them elected and afterwards they do what they want. Does a couple years in a nice comfy office really deserve more than 5,10,15, 20 or more years of actual SERVICE to our country?
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PO1 Victor Miller
I too respect the office of the President and also agree that he has usurped his powers to the detriment of the active duty and veteran health care systems in place for them and their dependants. I believe, and this is not just my opinion, that it's all done to weaken our military's readiness, our country's protections of rights of the military servicemen/women and reduces the desire of the citizen to even serve in today's military. <div><br></div><div>Others have mentioned that high commanders in the military that disagree with this Commander and Chief's actions face dismissal from office. Not surprising, nor is it surprising that the nation's top law enforcement is not holding it's Democrat Party leaders accountable for their illegal actions, under the laws passed by the people's congress. I see these actions, and other abuses in government, as tyrannical in nature.</div><div><br></div><div>If a lawless/tyrannical regime holds so much power that the most effective way to stop them is the possible illegal use of the military as viable tool to reign in these abuses to the constitution, should it be used? What's to say the 2016 elections may be too late because too many Executive Orders that have made it impossible for free, fair election to take place; or once Marshall Law is proclaimed, it may be the only method available. Does it then mean using military intervention to the reckless, tyrannical political structure be a means justify putting an end to it? </div><div><br></div><div>It's hard to predict the future but one thing you can take to the bank is our freedoms are at a high risk at the moment. What we do as a people will define who and what we are. If freedom is lost here, what country or who will restore it for us? Remember, no country, in this world's history, has lost freedom and come back to restore it.</div><div><br></div><div>The aforementioned scenario is just that, a scenario. It doesn't mean it's what I believe to be the present situation to be. It is only mentioned as food for thought for when such a coup would be justified, if ever. Just as the military can be ordered to enforce a tyrant's regime, I feel it can be used to effectively to remove said tyrant from office and restore the laws that ensure freedom. </div><div><br></div><div>Now do you understand the importance of our Constitution's role, as our forefathers have designed it, in preserving the freedom of the people and the restrictions it places on government? If you think it's not important then I suggest you research the founding fathers intent behind this document. </div><div><br></div><div>To be a patriot means you swear by the Constitution and support it as the means at which we all live under as free citizens. Like it or not, it is at the base of our "exceptionalism." After that, it's doing what's "right" and what's "good." It's what has made America the greatest country of this world's history.</div>
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