Posted on Jan 2, 2014
CPL Paul B.
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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>
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Edited 12 y ago
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Responses: 929
SSG John Mtz
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Whether it's up the chain of command or down the chain of command if there's a DUD, or misfeasance you should be able to call it out and not be cancelled or suffer adverse action. sort of like what happened to Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller. One should be able to speak up within the realm of free speech against incompetent political woke/ hacks, as an example not protecting the sovereignty of U.S. Borders
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SGT Leonard Frank
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We all and I mean every member of this country need to respect the Title and the Rank. Other countries see us as divided and confused. Petty stuff is for kids on the playground not adults or especially those that have worn the uniform and at one time swore to defend this nation (etc)
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
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Inappropriate, but nothing new. Social media just makes it easily heard.
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Cpl Lorraine Ceniceros
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This is a very difficult question. I believe as an active duty enlisted or officer we are duty bond to follow our commander and chief. We have taken an oath. Our last President was an enemy of our oath to this mighty country and what this country stands for in lifting this country upwards! There have on a whole been more good presidents than bad. But this last President was one of a kind. Hopefully we will not see one like in the near future. I've seen many good Replican presidents and there will be more some day if the party makes a big turn around. DROP TRUMP!!!!!!!!
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COL Bob Moore
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Interesting, did anyone post this when Trump was President?
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CPL Alvin Wells
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As an active duty service member you always have the right to question or critique any policy. You can freely discuss your concerns among your peers. This does not allow out right disrespect towards superior officers, NCO's, and that does include the Commander-in-Chief. I do not like to see active duty personnel doing this. While on active duty we are under a bit of a different directive than a citizen. We have to show respect to the rank but no necessarily the man that wears the uniform. I had fantastic officers and NCO's and I also served under some that made some bad calls. I never showed contempt or disrespect to any of them.

While I was on active duty we were allowed to ask questions or voice concerns up the chain of command from squad level on up. We were not allowed to show outright contempt or be disrespectful to those above us in the chain of command. We were not allowed to disobey direct lawful orders given by those appointed above us. This includes the Commander-in-Chief.

As a veteran I have the right to question, critique, or voice any opinion I want to. I can voice my disagreement with any aspect of our political machine, policies, or decisions made by the military. I am no longer controlled by the chain of command. I am a voting citizen with complete freedom of speech. I do not have to like or be silent.

On a personal note, I will say that there have been several Presidents that I did not agree with at all. I do not think they made sound decisions regarding the direction of this country. I will always hope they do a good job because if they succeed then we succeed. If I do not like them then I campaign for my candidate and vote my conscious. I am very vocal about polices that move us in a direction that I do not agree with.
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SGT Anti Armor Specialist
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I like the Klingon way of doing things. You challenge the person and call them out as not worthy to hold the position, and then you fight to the death. The winner becomes the new President.
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AN Kevin Esmond
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A veteran should be able to say anything they want to say about anybody. But if you hung that uniform on your back and you still wearing it the president is the Commander and chief. It would be insubordination down talking or disrespecting them in any kind of way.
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Sgt Mervyn Russell
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I was always taught to respect your fellow man, not just the President. An elected official i fair game for criticizing. Especially if he's doing a poor job. You can respect the office without respecting the man. I myself would never disrespect a person, just the job he's doing.
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Sgt Butch Black
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It seems to me there are two separate issues. Active duty military, and veterans. Veterans, like any other American, have the right to disagree with whoever is President. Active duty needs to balance that freedom to disagree with the fact that they're representing the country. They may be best served by keeping their opinions to themselves. A reminder that the oath that we took when we entered the service was to defend the constitution, not the president.
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CDR William Kempner
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I have been in the US Armed Forces since July 1972. Ten Presidents now. Some were good. Some not so good. You don't have to like the man. You respect the office. What you want to share with the troops: "Think what you want. But keep your opinions to yourself." best policy. That way no one gets in trouble by saying something that upon second thought wasn't a good thing to say. We take an oath to uphold the Constitution and obey the lawful orders of the President and those officers appointed over us. Even if it's a hard swallow sometimes.
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