Should the guard be allowed to join in the protests while at their posts? Are there orders against it?

Sgt Steven Smith — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 07:52:17 -0400

Seen a few articles/videos of Guardsmen on post for these riots and protests. Taking a knee, engaging with peaceful protests thinks of the like. You know the kind of things not included in our general orders as things we are expexted to do while on duty. I had it understood, that servicemembers were not allowed to make any kind of statements that could be concidered political while in a light that could be seen as a statement from the service instead of the individual, unless you were in a MOS authorised to make such statements.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jun 7 at 2020 8:01 AM

LTC Kevin B. — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 08:01:16 -0400

I don't see these protests as being political. I see them as being civil rights protests against how law enforcement has been treating certain segments in our society. True, politicians (and political parties) on both sides are exploiting the angst, and politicians will likely need to implement any solutions, but these aren't political protests designed to help any particular candidates (or any party in particular).

Response by SrA Ronald Moore made Jun 7 at 2020 8:13 AM

SrA Ronald Moore — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 08:13:18 -0400

While not Duty one is to do just what that Duty defines.And it’s only after that duty is over should that Guard participate.Surely this has not changed .

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Jun 7 at 2020 8:14 AM

CW4 Guy Butler — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 08:14:37 -0400

de-escalate (diːˈɛskəˌleɪt)
vb
to reduce the level or intensity of (a crisis, etc)
de-ˌescaˈlation n

It’s kind of a thing. Atlanta seems to have it down pat:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/nypost.com/2020/06/06/atlanta-knows-how-to-protest-with-dancing-soldiers/amp/

Atlanta knows how to protest — with dancing soldiers!

There are protests — and then there are Atlanta protests, complete with Macarena-dancing National Guard soldiers. Days of anti-police brutality demonstrations in the city have been marred by …

Response by Cpl Benjamin Long made Jun 7 at 2020 8:57 AM

Cpl Benjamin Long — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 08:57:09 -0400

Local commanders can create an order limiting that activity like an off limits order... violating such an order would violate art 92 UCMJ and can be prosecuted on those grounds.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 7 at 2020 11:03 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 11:03:35 -0400

This is a slippery slope as para 3-7 AR670-1 strictly prohibits uniformed participation in protests/picket lines, the Guardsmen on duty have to interact with the protesters and this may de-escalate the situation where reducing mayhem is the intent of the ARNG being mobilized in the first place.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 7 at 2020 11:17 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 11:17:41 -0400

There can be and are political protests. This, by all accounts is A Political. Taking a knee to show respect for humanity and the common good is fine. As long as there is a sound assessment that by being on the knee one is not delinquent in there duties. There are many who see the Guard as a threat, taking a knee goes along way to showing they are human.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2020 1:13 PM

SP5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 13:13:23 -0400

Sgt Steven Smith Much better than the image left after Kent State. Tough duty, assigned to "control" American citizens. Kudos to the troops who are calming the situations with creative responses.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 7 at 2020 9:21 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 21:21:26 -0400

If you're ordered to take a knee or have other top cover, go for it. If not, see below.

I highly advise not doing anything that could be perceived as casting the Service in a negative light. That's Article 134 territory. You don't get to decide what that threshold is or what is OK and what is not. You also don't want to explore where that line is. There are so many ways that you can be "had" by third parties. People who decide you mucked up will define that line most favorably to them, not you. Besides that, I strongly advise your social media be devoid of anything construable as political, religious, etc. That stuff just becomes fodder for those who want to create a negative about you one way or the other. Your opinion needs to be private and your service needs to be visibly professional. Don't dream up ideas that you think might be good. It's like football. Three things can happen and two of them are bad. Learned my lesson back in the day when I was being interviewed about the McDs that was being built out on Adak. Learned that "Is there anything else you'd like to add?" is a trap. "I'd rather have a Burger King." Wound up as the quote of the day in about every national rag. My Flag just said, "Kev, you got away from one. Learn your lesson?" It's so easy to wind up on the bottom side of the pasture patty.

Response by SFC James Welch made Jun 7 at 2020 11:59 PM

SFC James Welch — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 23:59:11 -0400

This should not even be a question. Of course not. What has happened to this Generation? This is insane!

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Oct 1 at 2022 6:40 PM

SGT Ruben Lozada — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 18:40:56 -0400

Negative ghostrider SGT Smith. There's rules against protecting according to almighty AR670-1.