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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Freedom of speech plays an important part in our society. Being in the Military doesn't stop you from having freedom of speech, BUT, it can limit it to some degree.
People may disagree with the President, (which I do) but as long as they do it within the law, and if your in Uniform, you do as your told to, by your supervisor and its a legal order or comment, then all is good.
The leadership in former Presidents Military, did the same thing that is happening now, with Biden in office.
So as the old saying goes, what's good for the goose, is good the gander. (I think that's the way the saying goes). I'm sure you get my drift on what I am saying.
People may disagree with the President, (which I do) but as long as they do it within the law, and if your in Uniform, you do as your told to, by your supervisor and its a legal order or comment, then all is good.
The leadership in former Presidents Military, did the same thing that is happening now, with Biden in office.
So as the old saying goes, what's good for the goose, is good the gander. (I think that's the way the saying goes). I'm sure you get my drift on what I am saying.
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While still on active duty or active in the Reserve or National Guard, never talk about the sitting President or Vice President in a derogatory manner. It is considered to be against portions of the UCMJ. That includes while wearing civilian clothes.
If you are no longer wearing the uniform because you retired or separated, I’d say you can speak your mind.
If you are no longer wearing the uniform because you retired or separated, I’d say you can speak your mind.
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SSG David Angell
"We swear an oath to our country and to defend the Constitution not loyalty to a president".
I took the above statement, from USMC Sgt. Bollinger (comment below). We can express our distain for what a President, or Vice President is doing or saying. In uniform, we are restricted, to some degree, on what we can say or do.
Out of uniform we have a little be more freedom. In civilian attire we can say the same things that a civilian can say, as long as its legal.
Whether we like the orders given us by the COMMAND, we must obey. As long as its a legal order. You can question the order, but still obey. Refusing the order could get you an Article 15 or worse.
I took the above statement, from USMC Sgt. Bollinger (comment below). We can express our distain for what a President, or Vice President is doing or saying. In uniform, we are restricted, to some degree, on what we can say or do.
Out of uniform we have a little be more freedom. In civilian attire we can say the same things that a civilian can say, as long as its legal.
Whether we like the orders given us by the COMMAND, we must obey. As long as its a legal order. You can question the order, but still obey. Refusing the order could get you an Article 15 or worse.
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I feel we all our entitled to voice our own opinions. Freedom of speech and expression is very important. We are not puppets.
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We swear an oath to our country and to defend the Constitution not loyalty to a president. There are good officers, NCOs and presidents and bad ones. Just because you question them or don't agree or criticize them i think that is your right. BUT you still follow orders but hey should be held accountable for their decisions and actions also.
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If anybody has the right to criticize the President, The veterans and soldiers have earned the right.
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When I was serving, I made it a point not to bash the CinC. I thought even though I may not have agreed with his positions politically, he was still our nation's leader and the position should be respected regardless of the person in it. Now that I am retired, I feel I am just exercising my freedom of speech in expressing my opinion of our President.
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The President is both our Commander in Chief and an Elected Official. The chants and memes would seem off limits to me as disrespectful, however if I wish to observe prices have risen since he took office and express the opinion that inflation is a result of the policies and actions of the Biden administration that is protected speech. Likewise if I wish to observe something over 100,000 people have crossed the Sothern border during each month of his administration with very little vetting and that if only 20% of them are men of military age we do not know for a fact that we have not been invaded by 20 Divisions. Yea that's is unlikely but it does point out we are allowing unvetted people in the country by the 100000. So I will be respectful of the Office of the President however I have no compunction against civilly and reasonably pointing out my dislike for his policy's.
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As Americans, we have the right to express our opinions. Veterans have that right all the time. But, the military while on duty, whether we like the President or not, must follow orders to complete their missions. You can not let your political feelings interfere with your day-to-day military life. And you have to be careful with what and how you make statements about our government.
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Griping about leadership is a time honored tradition .
Follow orders and move out.
Follow orders and move out.
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