Should Military (Active Duty, Reservist & Guard) be allowed to "sit", in support of personal beliefs, during the National Anthem?

they have a sworn Duty to support and defend... nit turn their backs...

If you are not in uniform, yes. However, I believe it is required by military regulation to do so in uniform. AR 600-20 or 600-25 if I recall correctly

I have addressed this on other related questions. While in uniform you accept as part of your responsibilities some limits to your constitutional rights, especially the !st Amendment. As a member of any of the services you are obligated to render honors to the colors and to the nation anthem. Once you retire or otherwise set aside the uniform you are free to do as you wish and I will defend your right to do so even if I do not agree with you, until then I and the military expect you on your feet and rendering honors with your comrades.

OK, here's the rub. If you're active, you're subject to UCMJ 24/7 in or out of uniform. So if the order is you will at all times render proper honors in/out of uniform, easy. If you are Reserve/Guard not in a drill or active status AND wearing the uniform, they can nail you. It has more to do with making political statements in public while in uniform, brings discredit, etc. However, if you're not in uniform doing it, there isn't any tie to UCMJ, hence no direct action. So that leaves the issue of indirect action. Danger close on that one can get the Service in trouble by improperly acting. The JAG would tell you to lay off. PAO will tell you to lay off. Like football, three things can happen, and two of them are bad for the Service.

I had a Reserve SM transferred into my Command without my knowledge. Two days later, he put on the uniform and joined protesters at his Congressman's local office and looked great on the 6 o'clock news. Needless to say, the process to resolve his butt out was pretty easy.

Disrespect for the flag and other things tell me a lot about the SM that lowers my desire to have that person covering my six. A deeper look will show other things which are better suited to nail them on their Eval that the JAG and PAO won't care about. Consider their action a symptom of something more problematical.

Should not be able to make political statement of any kind.

Hell No!! You swore an Oath of Enlistment and that Oath gives you rights under the UCMJ. You don't have constitutional rights as civilians do!! The "sailor" should be court martialed and dishonorably discharged from the service!! Her current Chain of Command that has chosen not to should all be booted along with her. They're as much of a disgrace as she is!!!

You're poll is a bit skewed as it does not mention if personnel are both in and out of uniform. My response is if you are carrying an ID that indicates you are attached to the military as Active, Guard, Reserve, etc. You do NOT have a Constitutional right to "sit" during the National Anthem. We are all aware there are a number of things you can and cannot do as a military member. This falls into that category.

Additionally, as a DAV, I will state that morons like Kaepernick have a right to protest any damn thing they want to protest. That said, his decision to "sit" is a slap in the face of every man and woman to wear the uniform of the United States and tantamount to pissing on the graves of those who bled and died for the USA.

NO! Every soldier, sailor, and airman have been instructed to show respect to the flag and country. Standing and saluting (especially when in uniform) when the national anthem is showing respect that is taught and re-enforced during basic training. If you, as an individual, want to disagree with the situation in hand, fine and continue your duty! However, continue to show respect!

Your personal beliefs were issued to you the day you swore in and they do not include protesting the National Anthem or the Stars and Stripes.

I suppose the right is there and should be supported, but IMO, you also have the right to make a really stupid and short-sighted statement. I've raised my son to stand, even when his friends don't (he's nine and knows better) and will politely and rationally explain the why behind.