How do you feel about veterans or Soldiers criticizing our President?

I think it's like any other job and it shouldn't matter what you say about a person as long as you do what they ask you to do as long as it's constitutional and legal then you should do it. But just like a regular job you talk bad about your co-workers, supervisors, manager, and even the owner even if you never meet the guy you talk bad about him because of how he set the rules and what you have to do and so on.

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As long as nobody advocates for violence or harm to him or his family I have no problem with it. My sister worked on his campaign and has been to a few events at the White House. We have the right to question our leaders now how we go about it should be respectful and tactful, and if you want to convince others of your point don't just write out whatever unfounded rumors and claims made about the person otherwise you weaken your point by using the outrageous claims like the birth certificate claims. I personally think he's not very skilled and at times he takes things too personally out of what appears to me to be arrogance so he rather stick to what he's doing than finding the best solution. I'm a veteran so I could at this point say what I like, but I choose to try to make my points with out any attempt at malice since it wouldn't help me attempt to get my points across.&nbsp; <br><br>According to the UCMJ it is limited Article 88 “Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the
President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the
Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or
the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or
possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a
court-martial may direct.”

<br><br>Now on the civilian side we have free speech and are protect from reprisals from the government, however it does not mean that if I posted a vile and disgusting commentary that attacked a politician, I would not be free from repercussions from others including say an employer ending my employment because of the negative attention it could generate, or it other people responding. Also if I made up the material in an attempt to bring discredit to the person I could be sued in a civil case for slander if I spoke it, or libel if it was published in print or on the internet.<br>

Regardless of what is thought about the President, They are still your current commander. &nbsp;It's no different that talking bad about your Company or Brigade Commander in from of your soldiers. &nbsp;It should never be done and should be addressed when it is done. &nbsp;We all do not have to like our leadership, but we have to respect the position. &nbsp;We all chose to serve under whomever took office, If you do not like the command then you should happily hold your thoughts until you ETS. &nbsp;

I retired before this question was posted (12 years ago at the time of this reply.)

Here's my view:
If you're posting your comments derogatory of the Commander-in-Chief (PotUS) or about any of your leadership from an account that identifies you as a member of the armed forces, then you're in violation of the UCMJ, and you deserve what you're going to (maybe eventually) get. Servicemembers are not to bring discredit to their force, or the military in general, or the chain of command (all the way up to the President of the United States) while in uniform or in a scenario where they are linked with the military.

However, if you have a social media account that does not reference your service in any way, then you can use your speech freely, as protected by the First Amendment.

Military members are supposed to be held to a higher standard that Joe Schmukatelli on the streets. The oath we all took includes that we will follow the orders of the President and all officers appointed over us "according to the UCMJ" and military tradition. Don't just repeat the oath when you enlist / reenlist - learn it so that you could say it without being prompted... understand it. Because you are also signing a paper that says the exact same thing. Your signature (and your oath) are a legal contract, same as any other that you make. Then ... live up to your word.

I always understood that while I was on active duty, the only way to criticize the CIC was to vote.

You believe what believe. What you can not do is use your Military time and uniform to influence others Publicly about Politics. You still have freedom of speech but don't let your mouth write a check that you can't cash. When politics becomes involved and tries to intermingle in you Military past, present, or future, Your freedom of speech should have laryngitis. Military and politics do not mix.

If ANY active service person were to make public comment, derogatory or in disrespect to his/her Officer-in-Charge, or Commanding Officer, what would be the consequences? Likely an Art 31. So these service members, inclusive of Commanding Officers, should be held accountable for their respective public commentary actions. And, as we are now seeing, i.e. Mark Kelly (and yes, I purposely am not acknowledging his service and rank), veterans and/or retirees should also be accountable to the boundaries of respectful public commentary, especially to the CiC. Most all military members VOLUNTARILY swore an oath to serve to uphold our Constitution. And, all Officers serve at "the pleasure of the President...". We must remember that as members of the best fighting forces, we are also subject to a higher standard of conduct that we must uphold.

You have to respect the position but you don’t need to like the person!

First. No Felon-Rapist Is A Commander n Chief. You seem to over look how Donnie Treats Others. He belittles, degrades, insults, etc. How can anyone respect a low life. How Can You Defend A Con Man. A DRAFT DODGER. Donnie Shirked His Responsibility To Our Country We Serve To Defend. When It Was His Turn To Serve Donnie Ran Like A Scalded Rabbit, A Coward. Insighted A Riot, An Insurrection JANUARY 6, 2021. Watched For Over Three Hours Did Nothing To Stop It. A Grifter Profiting While Sitting In Our Oval Office Selling Junk, And MAGAt's Going Broke Buying It. Attempting Thru Project 2025 To Turn Our Country Into Fascism. Faked An Assignation, Disrespected Our Fallen Heroes At Arlington National Cemetery As A Political Stunt. Forget Donnie Deporting People Of Colour Hispanic/Latino's. But American Citizens. The The Department Of Veterans Affairs Is A Target Of Project 2025. They Want It Gone. And You Want Us To Respect This Traitor. How About Deporting An American At The Age Of 4 With 4 Stage Cancer. This a Guy We Respect? Not On Your Life Pal. Defying SCOTUS. Bombing Without Consulting Congress. Ignoring The Constitution. Bowing To Criminals In Foreign Countries. PARDONING The Very Insurrectionists/THUGS That Destroyed Our CAPITOL To The Tune Of Millions Of Dollars. Donnie Deserves To Be Imprison. I Challenge You To Commit The Crimes Donnie Was Found Guilty. Where Do You Think You'd End Up. I Could Be Wrong. It Appears You Might Be One Of Those. A Brain Washed MAGAt Cult Member. Donald John Trump Sr Deserves No Respect. Donnie Is Misogynistic/Narcissistic/Racist Parasite. The List Is Endless. I Tired Of You MAGAt's Especially Active Military, Veterans, That Try To Convince Us Donnie Is The Cats Meow. I Am Sick And Damn Tired Of Trying To Convince Veterans/Active Service Men/Women Donnie Is One Evil SOB. Two Things Donnie Said in 2024. "I LOVE THE POORLY EDUCATED." I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU. ALL I WANT IS YOUR VOTE." Donnie Is In It For Himself. Just Ask All The Farmers/Rancher Declaring Bankruptcies. #FAFO.........