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

I, for one, will no longer be posting in this thread.  It has become too heated.  I hope the best to all of you!!!!!  You all deserve it, thank you for your service.

As long as I wore the uniform as member of the US Army, I did my utmost to not disparage the office of POTUS...when I retired it became a little bit easier for me to speak my mind about issues, and I will not hold back if I feel that the individual holding the office turns out to be a complete idiot and makes us as a nation look weak, indifferent or buffoonish in the eyes of the world. We know, or are supposed to know that we do relinquish a bit of our freedoms when we don the uniforms of our military when it comes to speaking out about many issues, and I held to that belief/truth while serving and have tried my best to instill the same in those that served with or under me, as well as in my son who is currently serving.

I have herd a lot about this and there is much misunderstanding. I have even listen to seniors throw around words like insubordinate and sedition. If you are name calling knock it off, it reflects poorly on you, your service to the country and like it or not. the rest of the service. <br>If you object to a policy, an agenda, or a political direction. do so civilly. know you talking points and have your facts straight. There is nothing wrong with candor.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>

<P>Reading a lot of responses, and most of them are in agreement that the POTUS is the Commander in Chief and should be respected.&nbsp; As long as he upholds his oath of office you are duty bound to do your's.&nbsp; But don't ever forget you have an obligation to something much higher than the President.&nbsp; You took an oath to defend the constitution of the United States.&nbsp; If you remember your UCMJ training in basic you were also taught that you are duty bound to refuse to obey an illegal order.&nbsp; I served under some questionable Presidents, but I never had a issue follow the order and respecting those appointed above me.&nbsp;I didn't like some of them.&nbsp; But none of them ordered me to do anything illegal or to violate my oath of enlistment.</P>
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<P>I would NEVER open fire on American citizens.&nbsp; Would you?&nbsp; I know there's a litmus test in the officers corps that asks that question.&nbsp; If you answer NO, your career is over.&nbsp; Look at how many senior officers have "retired" under the current President!&nbsp; More than at any other time in history including after WWI and WWII.&nbsp; The political atmosphere is the most violent I've ever seen it.&nbsp; </P>
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<P>Many people truly believe a revolution is in the works.&nbsp; Not a Civil War.&nbsp; It's one in which we deny tyranny and restore a&nbsp;government that is representative of the people.&nbsp; When that revolution comes, will you fire on citizens?&nbsp; I am not trying to steal the thread, but it's things that you must be thinking about.&nbsp; Active duty personnel, would you shoot your neighbors, family members, stangers because they disagree with the direction this country is heading?</P>
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I believe it is wrong no matter if you are in the military or a civilian.&nbsp; There is a difference between disagreeing and speaking professionally or as I have seen numerous social media postings and bumper stickers - extremely unprofessional and derogatory.&nbsp; There is no call and it helps no one if you are derogatory in your commentary.&nbsp; I believe that use of profanity or degrading someone means you have lost the argument.&nbsp;

I think the current administration has been in office long enough that if individuals feel so strongly against the Commander in Chief, the had their opportunity to get out. I feel you gotta respect the COC and if you don't, quit talking about it quit working for the government. Put your money where your mouth is.

There is a false dichotomy in this issue- too often it is said or implied that a Soldier's choices are:<div><br></div><div>a) Express unflagging support for all presidential actions and policies</div><div>b) Make a treasonous speech calling for revolution</div><div><br></div><div>The solution is the lost art of tact. &nbsp;Any SNCO has had to take aside their commissioned peer (Platoon Sergeant to Platoon Leader) and explain that while they are ultimately in charge, their decisions aren't in the best interests of the unit and need to be relooked. &nbsp;It is not only an option, but an obligation and one of the key reasons NCOs are paired with officers at every level of command.</div><div><br></div><div>The connection between this and your question is in venue. &nbsp;A PSG should NEVER have that discussion with the PL in front of the platoon. &nbsp;A good 1SG would never think of talking to the Company Commander like that in front of a company formation, just has they would never vent to the troops about difficulties with the commander- it's unprofessional. &nbsp;Should a Soldier express discontent with policies from the White House? &nbsp;Absolutely- through their elected officials. &nbsp;Should they express those concerns to civilians, subordinates, or peers? &nbsp;No.</div><div><br></div><div>Something like this is completely appropriate. &nbsp;"I serve at the President's order and while I don't always understand why he has made the decisions he has made, I am proud to serve my country. &nbsp;I look forward to the country showing the military what is wanted from us during the next voting period."</div>

I over heard numerous individuals in uniform talk down on the President. I believe that if you are wearing the uniform, that should mean that no matter what, you support your commander in chief.&nbsp; I know that that's one of the reasons I enlisted and reenlisted over and over again.

We signed up to protect the country and constitution.&nbsp; And to abide by the regulations, policies, and rules.&nbsp; We did not enlist to worship or protect any particular person.<br><br>So, if our opinions of any one person are expressed in a way that doesn't conflict with the rules, there should be no issue.<br><br>Of course you will have to deal with the people who think they should stop you from expressing any opinion that they don't like.&nbsp; So be ready for that before you embark on a "free speech" crusade, lol.&nbsp; They will lie cheat &amp; steal, and misuse the military system, so beware.<br><br>Respect is earned, and we all decide whether our own has been earned or not.&nbsp; You should show any and every commander (and NCOIC) the respect that is needed for good order and the mission.&nbsp; You need to know where the line is drawn.&nbsp; Beyond that, we are allowed to have opinions and speak of them.<br><br>But like I said, be ready to fight back against those who think you shouldn't.&nbsp; The world is full of them.<br>

SPC Buck.&nbsp;&nbsp; I have not heard one comment from people who love President Obama that what was said about President Bush was wrong.&nbsp; Not one and not categorically.&nbsp; That hubris is what is causing the intense feelings here.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You know like calling the former President a War Criminal.&nbsp;&nbsp; Has he followed people to the ends of the world to prosecute and did he get people fired?