Posted on Sep 4, 2016
Should Military (Active Duty, Reservist & Guard) be allowed to "sit", in support of personal beliefs, during the National Anthem?
44.3K
1.44K
312
13
13
0
http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/09/politics/navy-sailor-sits-national-anthem/index.html
I know many even wondered why I asked this question. I knew it was going to be a matter of time. I hope justice is served to this Sailor.
Here is another protest during the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. By a State Senator, no less.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/09/16/missouri-state-senator-sits-during-pledge-allegiance.html
I know many even wondered why I asked this question. I knew it was going to be a matter of time. I hope justice is served to this Sailor.
Here is another protest during the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. By a State Senator, no less.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/09/16/missouri-state-senator-sits-during-pledge-allegiance.html
Posted in these groups: 
Human Rights
Freedom of Speech
Human Rights Freedom of Speech
Edited 9 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 148
0
0
0
There is a difference between a free, law-abiding citizen and a servicemember.
(0)
(0)
1stSgt Nelson Kerr
The problem is that out of Uniform Reservists and National Guardsmen are normally legal civilians and not subject to the UCMJ or military authority unless activated
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
SGT Eliyahu Rooff
1stSgt Nelson Kerr - Correct, and the question here was vague on whether or not it was directed toward people in or out of uniform; particularly guard and reservists.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
What most people forget is because you have the right to do something, doesn't mean you should. The great thing about our country and way of life is we have choices. Now if someone chooses to exercise their right in poor taste it shows us that these people are miss informed and sends a bad message. I was taught to stand during the National Anthem before I joined the Army. No country is perfect, so sitting during the National Anthem is not going to make everything all better. If someone is truly committed to fixing the issue, do something about it. Anyone can sit, to many people choose to sit and do nothing. There will always be issues with our country to "SIT" for. But the reason we stand is for all the good things our country has done and what it means to be an American. We stand for all who have died that have given these people right to choose to sit. I hope these few are sitting because they are simply misinformed, if this is not the case, then maybe they should look for somewhere else to live.
I am not going to answer the poll because the right answer obvious to all who understand National Pride and what it means to be an American.
SGM Smith
I am not going to answer the poll because the right answer obvious to all who understand National Pride and what it means to be an American.
SGM Smith
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
The 2% who voted yes are in the wrong spot. Uniformed service members who refuse to honor the flag or anthem should be dishonorably dischared.
(0)
(0)
MSgt Tim Parkhurst
1stSgt Nelson Kerr - The Supreme Court ruling was about a TX state law banning the burning of flags. It had nothing to do with this section of the US Code, and it didn't address military members in any way. As such, it has zero impact on the UCMJ. To take your point a step further, however, do you really think that a military member, under contract and subject to the UCMJ, could get away with burning the American Flag? Are you proposing that he SHOULD be allowed to? If so, you are part of the problem.
(0)
(0)
CW4 Leonard White
SrA Mears, one thing I know from my 30+ years in the Army...there will ALWAYS be a 2 to 10% that you'll never understand where their head at.
(0)
(0)
SrA Ashley Mears
How did I miss that, 1st Sgt Kerr? I remember protocol quite well. I believe breaking protocol should be met with severe consequences. We are only as good as our weakest members.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
If you're in uniform your ass better stand up. If you're in civilian clothes , it's your call. But be prepared.
(0)
(0)
CW4 Leonard White
PVT Williams I know one thing, when I was on active duty I better not see any soldiers in civilian clothes not standing and showing respect. So, being prepared is an understatement.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
Yes and Commanders should give them extra duty to show them there support.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
SFC Pete Kain
MSG (Join to see) - Sorry, did not mean you, just in general. Those that want to make a statement need to so on their own time. I detest these activist types that do STUPID SHIT.
(2)
(0)
PO1 Norm Burns
SFC Pete Kain - Especially if they are currently on active duty? With me, even when released, you are still under the oath you swore. When I retired, there was no one who told me that I was released from the oath I swore.
(1)
(0)
1stSgt Nelson Kerr
PO1 Norm Burns - I also belive i am still under that oath a swore, but there is nobody legally appointed over me, in a military sense, anymore since my chain of command is shorter than the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is. Not only is nobody appointed over me, unless I am recalled to duty nobody legally can be appointed over me, So orders from senior officers and regulations under their authority have absolutely no bearing on me. The UCMJ is no longer binding onb me outside of a few rare situations. The only part of the oath that is binding now is to support and defend the Constitution and the Constitutions allows civilians and those in civilian status to stand or sit at their discretion, so I am obligated to defend that right whether I agree or not with the action.
(0)
(0)
FN Charlie Spivey
I don't know if this protocol still exists, but I'm pretty it may. If you were on base and driving somewhere and it was time for colors. They had a speaker system all over the base and would blow Attention. If you were driving you would stop and get out and face in the direction of where the flag pole was, come to attention and salute and that also applied if you were on foot. When I was aboard ship, Quarters was at 0800 and they would raise colors ( the Base was at the same time ). To take it a little further. If you were out of uniform at the time and had say a ball cap on, you would come to atttention, remove you cap and place it over your heart. If uncovered, you placed your hand over your heart. Standard procedure. Thoe point being, as a member of the Armed Forces you DID NOT ignore rendering honors.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google