Political Bumper Stickers

"Do I think it's appropriate, or respectul? No. But it appears that is allowed according to DoDD 1344.10. "A member of the Armed Forces on active duty may: (Para 4.1.1.8) Display a political bumper sticker on the member's private vehicle". There are further restrictions on "contemptous words", but those only apply to commissioned officers."

I've got one even better for you SFC.  I saw an Anonymous (the hacker group) bumper sticker in the NSAG parking lot here at Ft. Gordon...

I guess my response to the original post would be this: The President is an elected official. If somebody did not vote for him, and wished to express the opinion under the 1st Amendment, then whatever. As far as the response comparing the president to a CPT, LTC etc., I have to go with this logic:
President = Elected
Military positions = Selected (i.e. Commander, BN CO, 1SG et al)

Freedom of speech doesn't truly exist until you are no longer subject to UCMJ. The President, popular or not, right or wrong, loved or hated, is the Commander in Chief. A bumper sticker of that nature is INAPPROPRIATE..............for service members. Wait till they hand you your DD-214 and your retirement flag.

SFC Dominguez

My feelings are nearly in sync with yours. As soldiers, we are compelled by oath to obey the orders of the President of the United States, no matter who or what party they are. And as such, we should not be posting stickers on our vehicles going one way or the other. After our time served, I don't see an objection, but as we are in service, we should show our loyalty by demonstrating neutrality.

DoDD 1344.10 (Political activities by members of the Armed Forces) para 4.1.1.8 states that you may display a political bumper sticker on your privately owned vehicle.

The first question I would pose to that SM would be, "did you vote"? It is incredible to me the amount of service members who do not vote, because of some misconstrued notion that their vote does not matter. Where else in the military do we have the opportunity to have a say in who becomes the next CIC? My personal opinion is that if you did not  excersise your right to vote, you don't have a right to an opinion. BUT, If you did vote, you have every right to be critical of your superiors. We follow orders, but we are also critical of those orders and the efficacy of those orders. We have every right to stand up and say something if something is wrong. Placing it on a bumper sticker is neither the forum or the appropriate way to do so. What does it accomplish? Not a damn thing. Educate yourself, subordinates and your superiors if need be about the issues and the political process, and how to actually make a difference or become involved. It really is sickening to see Iraqis risking their lives for the ability to vote, and so many in this country do not even care to try to. 

<p>First of all common sense would remind us that it is wrong.&nbsp; The president in CINC and so he is our president,&nbsp; politics notwithstanding.&nbsp;&nbsp; That said,&nbsp; discretion might also save your career.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A seemingly benign statement may be construed as disrespectful.</p><p><br></p><p>As I have said,&nbsp; "some never gave President Bush that respect but two wrongs does not make it right.</p>

It is completely legitimate. you swore an oath to protect and defend the constitution first and foremost and orders afterwards. All military have a duty not to follow morale or illegal orders.