Posted on Oct 28, 2014
If you are a SM and it is known by your social media account do you think you should post your political views online?
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Leadership
Social Media
Professionalism
Posted 10 y ago
This is a duplicate discussion. Click below to see more on this topic.
This question seems to have a simple answer:<div>1. When in uniform, refrain from political speech. This is the standard.</div><div>2. Everyone on RallyPoint is representing him/herself as a Service-member.</div><div>3. So, there should be no "political speech" on RallyPoint.</div><div><br></div><div>What are the more nuanced views out there?</div><div><br></div><div>EDIT: Retired SMs and Veterans (no longer serving) are not covered under UCMJ and therefore fall under the full protection of the First Amendment; thanks to everyone for bringing this point to light. </div><div><br></div><div>Also, I think Reserve SMs cannot be held liable for political speech when they are not in a duty status, which is quite different from active duty SMs. The gray area of social media remains, in which we represent ourselves as SMs regardless of our contemporaneous duty status. Personally, I would never want my social media speech to be the subject of an Article 15, GOMR, or court-martial. My goal in this discussion is to get people to share views on how far the boundaries go.</div>
Responses: 3
We represent the armed forces 24/7 while in uniform. Freedom of speech comes after we hang up our uniform for the last time. There is a difference with freedom of speech and bashing the current chain of command( President, VP, C of Staff, etc) yet that seems to go unchecked all the time. Not the way I was brought up through the ranks.
Slippery slope 1LT (Join to see). Like SFC Mark Merino said, there is a difference between freedom of speech and bashing the Chain of Command. One of the problems is that some do not know the difference and regularly cross that line and slide down that slope. Personally, I make it a point to not get into political debates in on-line forums. Come to think about it, I rarely talk politics...
2LT (Join to see)
I personally feel like everyone is entitled to their own opinion and others can take it or leave it. Freedom of speech is exactly that, it shouldn't be governed. You have a right to bear arms without someone telling you what you can/can't have. If someone doesn't like what is said, disregard and continue about your business.
1LT (Join to see)
TSgt I meant for the abbreviation of SM to mean Service Member not sergeant major. I apologize for any confusion I may have caused.
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I agree. If a servicemember airs their grievances socially, for the world to see, it gives our enemies a 'hook' into possibly recruiting someone, either overtly or covertly. Social engineering is HUGE, and it happens all the time in corporate-world. I'd imagine that it is equally huge, if not more so, when dealing with military and other government officials.
Best to air on the side of caution, and keep your political views and strong opinions to yourself and/or close family and friends.
Good question.