Senator Joni Ernst Is also a Lieutenant Colonel In the Iowa Army National Guard. Should she resign her Commission?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 13:03:42 -0500

What impacts does this have on the overall chain of command and big picture organizational leadership when an elected member of Congress also serves actively as a Commissioned or Noncommissioned Officer in the National Guard or Reserves?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2015 11:57 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 11:57:22 -0400

I don't feel that is necessary. South Carolina has a Senator that is also an officer in the National Guard. Senator Graham has served well in both positions

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Mar 28 at 2015 9:57 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 09:57:04 -0400

She should resign her senate seat instead. You want to talk about working one weekend a month and two weeks a year, I don't think most elected officials work that much!!! Her time would better be spent in the Guard actually doing something instead of discussing how to deprive it of funding and us vets of our benefits.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2015 8:41 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 08:41:20 -0400

Absolutely not. The two positions, although both time hogs, are NOT mutually exclusive. As mentioned previously serving well in both positions is possible.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2015 8:17 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 08:17:45 -0400

I can't remember which RP member said it in a different discussion but, there is something about the Guard/Reserve where the person is not bound by the UCMJ like a Title 10 person is. When they are not actively serving they are considered private citizens.

I might have messed that up but if that is the case, I don't see any issues with her serving in the Congress.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2015 8:21 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 08:21:27 -0400

There is a potential for a conflict of interest. But, doesn't every elected official have a potential for a conflict of interest?

I think both jobs can be done as long as that potential is recognized and dealt with honorably.

Response by LTC Terence Fulner made Mar 30 at 2015 9:33 AM

LTC Terence Fulner — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 09:33:11 -0400

No she should not. There have been many congressional delegates who have served our country in both Congress and the service. She is no different then any other service member.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2015 6:10 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 18:10:09 -0400

This is certainly an amazing accomplishment.

I don't know enough about constitutional law to know whether this create conflicts of interest

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made May 11 at 2015 5:00 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Mon, 11 May 2015 17:00:18 -0400

I don't believe its necessary. There are many recent examples of Senators and Congressmen serving while holding office. CPT Tulsi Gabbard is a congresswomen from Hawaii and Scott Brown, former Senator from Massachusetts, was a COL while holding office.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 11:43 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 23:43:01 -0400

She should be allowed to continue to be a reservist and an elected official. She is a citizen soldier. Our Reserve and National Guard is designed to consist of citizen-soldiers who can be anything from truck drivers, firefighters, bankers, doctors, lawyers or politicians. That is a great concept. It helps to bring into the military people from a greater-cross section of society; therefore a broader range of ideas and viewpoint. It also keeps the military more known in communities not located near a military installation. We also need more military people in Congress and state legislatures not only to advocate for the military and veterans but so these bodies know what it means to be a soldier (sailor, airman, Marine, coastie) Furthermore although active duty people are barred from running for and holding office; reservists can and for good reason as I just explained. (of course retired and veterans can and do run as well.)

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 2:41 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2015 02:41:48 -0400

I don't see any issue with reserve or national guard soldiers holding public office as long as they still fulfill their military duties to include deployments.

Tulsi Gabbard (Gabbard Tamayo) is a CPT in the Hawaii National Guard and was elected to the United States Congress in 2012. She is the first American Samoan and the first Hindu member of the United States Congress, and, along with Tammy Duckworth, one of its first female combat veterans in Congress.

Response by PO2 Skip Kirkwood made May 12 at 2015 7:11 AM

PO2 Skip Kirkwood — Tue, 12 May 2015 07:11:20 -0400

Absolutely not.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 27 at 2018 1:16 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Sun, 27 May 2018 01:16:19 -0400

That's an interesting question...I've wondered about that aspect before...I'd expect if the law would!let her be in Congress as well as stay in ARNG, if shed actually want to do it, and keeps the roles entirely separate, I'd certainly think having such dual perspective could only serve to aid her in her legislative tasks, I realize I might he somewhat simplistic, however, I've never exactly known what the law is in such cases, it is an interesting topic though, certainly...I'd expectmitr aleomdepend on what committeesmand/or subcommittees shed be involved with in Congress, and her ARNG assignment as well, of course, interesting topic, in any event....

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 27 at 2018 5:55 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 27 May 2018 17:55:59 -0400

What is the problem= Is not an LTC when in Congress- only when she in working within the guard. Hell Truman was a retired COL, what weight can she throw around as an LTC.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made May 31 at 2018 7:49 AM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Thu, 31 May 2018 07:49:39 -0400

Sounds unconstitutional to me. Article 1, Section 6, Clause 2: "...no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office."

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2018 2:08 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 02:08:52 -0400

Purely opinion, but yes. An elected official has a responsibility to make decisions and form opinions on matters concerning their constituents. As a soldier, especially an officer, one is expected, both by precedent and by law, to remain neutral on matters of politics in the exercise of one's office. She can't possibly do both. Sure, she's not wearing a uniform but she certainly hasn't hidden her service from her constituents, and it will be impossible to hide it from her soldiers. It definitely impacts her ability to command. Could you imagine finding out on the evening news that your BC has political views that are polar opposite of yours? As a MAJ this would put you in a very awkward position as you'd probably be one of her senior Staff Officers or worse, her XO. On the other hand, I can assure you that a lower enlisted like myself would have no motivation to follow her at all or listen to her intent. She needs to decide what she wants to do.