Should vets be able to share their strife with their leaders once they are no longer under their command?

Yea, he has the right to say it and I think he makes some valid points.

BTW, he doesn't speak for active duty soldiers. He speaks for himself. I applaud all of you retired and "out" people. I envy you. I can't wait to be there. But my opinion and views are my own. I don't need you to attack the president for me. I would never attack the president. Even if I don't agree with him. This letter doesn't speak for Soldiers. It speaks for one airman and others who dknt like POTUS.

Perfectly within his rights, but wrong. His views shouldn't be publicized as the way soldiers feel today. What he sacrificed should be commended, but just because he sacrificed doesn't make him right. There are many war heroes who sacrificed that agree with POTUS and many that don't. His words shouldn't be painted on how Soldiers feel, but how one felt. Loyalty is one of the army values. I'm big on that one. We spend too much time complaining about those that lead us. Sure, there are times to challenge leadership, but you do that with tact! This letter was attacking the president the whole time. And quite honestly, I don't like anyone attacking my president. Sure, I'm not an Obama campaign supporter. I voted for the other guy, twice. I'll still vote for the other guy. But if you do your research, you'll find McCain has been an advocate to cut military pay and retirement benefits. When I retire, I will never use my service to my nation as credibility to speak against POTUS in support of a political side. Pawn blame on who you want. You have earned your right to the first amendment more so than most of Americans, to include me. My sacrifice has not been as much as yours. But if you want me to support your views, learn how to tell the boss you don't like what he's done and use tact. There are many of you that have a political stance that will disagree with me. But what if this happened to pres bush? Wait, it did. And then, I was screaming the same thing. Standards don't change because of your personal opinion about something. Respect the office! Not the man who's in it. Just as Maj. Dick winters told Cpt Sobel. "Respect the rank, not the man"! When you active duty soldiers get out, say what you want. But for now, don't let your opinions get the better of you. You're a Soldier, act like one!

He is right weather he isn't using tact is besides the point. SOMEONE MEDS TO VET HIS ATTENTION PULL HIS HEAD OUT ASS. HE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ANYTHING. HOW BOUT ANYTHING HE PROMISED. Any jerk that supports Obama hates America.

This shouldn't even be a question. Absolutely, he fought for this country and sacrificed greatly. If he cannot speak out, than one has to ask... what the hell are we fighting for? He was not wrong for anything.

Look at what John Kerry done after he left the service, and he has been a senator, presidential contender and is now Secretary of State. If anyone suggests that a person, especially after leaving service cannot voice their opinion to their leader then they really did fight in vain.

Whenever I see the fallout from someone's opinion being aired, I always think of the line from the movie:

The American President (1995),

here's a synapsis:

President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas):

America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. You gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight.

It's gonna say "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours.

Show me that, defend that, and celebrate that in your classrooms.

Then, you can stand up and sing about the "land of the free".

This speech in the 'movie' to me sums up how the 1st amendment makes us the shining light throughout the world. Nowhere else can you voice your opinion without the fear of governmental persecution. Those of us that have lived the military lifestyle defend this entire notion of free speech - and the right to not agree with what someone else says. Since he is no longer a serving member, he has the same rights to free speech under the 1st amendment as the rest of the American civilian populous.

You can agree or disagree with what the individual said, but it is his right as an 'American citizen' to be able to do it. He made no threats, only comments.

oops

To answer your question, yes he has the right to write it, but the way he went about it was all wrong. His message is much more effective if he leaves off the cheap shots. He also needs to tie in silver spoon with poor leadership. That connection was lost on me. Seems like he is just as resentful to his parents as he is the president.

Oh he's no longer subject to UCMJ? Let the profanity roll out then. What can the government take from him even if he was technically still a service member? He has already left three of his limbs on the battle field. Check this out though, all the President has to do is to call the IRS and have him audited and he'll be harassed for the next 3 or 4 years by the IRS. Was the letter hostile? Well that's FBI and secret service area so he'll be on a no fly list. His he a tea party member? The IRS will definitely want to audit him.

We can voice our opinions but we have to be respectful. Whether if its about the shitty non performing VA whose employees still get bonuses even though they suck or making Veterans pay for part of the TA while tax payers may have to foot the bill to send someone through their first two years of college while they sit on their rear ends expecting me to tax fund their education, we just have to be respectful.

Great letter