To what extent does one tolerate divisive rhetoric and dissension within the ranks?

No disrespect intended, Ma'am, but all military members have a right to a political stance. We express that stance when we vote. Aside from that, politically divisive speech (or any divisive speech) in the work center should absolutely not be tolerated since it will most certainly cause divisions, friction and problems which will lead to a break down of good order and discipline. Criticism of the POTUS, even if it is the POTUS elect, should be shut down immediately with a reminder of our duty to abide by the UCMJ no matter what our personal opinion is of the our leaders.

MSgt (Join to see) - I didn't say they couldn't vote, but a stance is a public declaration visible to others. Even bumper stickers can be considered a public political stance. They absolutely have a vote, but they gave up the right to a voice when in uniform on active duty.

PO2 Anthony Martinez - Private life. The discussion is about the work place political opinions. Open verbaluzation, I support Trump signs on your desk at work. Unless I missed something, in the original discussion? Is it helpful for active duty to discuss and render opinions beyond respect or obedience to the elected officials who command and control the military? There is nothing that tears apart families like political differences. That has to be discussed and curtailed in the military workplace. Thank you though for clarifying the point. My example is also when I stated I would not vote for Trump, my sister in law said "but everyone in the military supports him", that leaves no room for those in opposition. They are cast out and disrespected. So, no they don't have a right to anything in the military workplace except humane treatment by their siblings, superiors, or subordinates in uniform. The supervisor has every right to shut down political discussions that are distractions from team cohesion. Or do you have another DoD ref that says they are. No longer bound by contract and ucmj to obey all lawful orders of those appointed above them? It's a new generation so they may have camouflaged yoga pants and lattes now...although I've only been out for a few years. (Actually I like the camouflage yoga pants idea!)

What does the Oath of Enlistment have to say on the matter? It's pretty clear cut. You are swearing an oath to obey the orders of the POTUS and the orders of those appointed over you. In 21 years, I served under Presidents I voted for, and those I DIDN'T vote for. As a member of the military, you obey the orders, and if you see this it is impossible for you to obey these orders, leave the military. It's that simple.

You have to follow lawful orders from the CIC, we all know this. But when it is an order that goes against the Constitution it is allowed (as a safeguard) to not follow it. That would not be rebelling. The younger generation may be using the word in the wrong context. It may be that they are wondering how to go about not following that order. Just thinking outside the box. Some of you may remember "fraging" During Viet Nam now that was rebelling. Once again if they are asking how to not follow a direct order that conflicts with any of the laws then it should be answered. If it is just about being a rebel then they need to be told to take it outside. If it continues then to the Commanders carpet they go. This is a touchy time and feelings are running rampart, some do not know how to control these feelings.

The younger generation signed the same contracts that the older generation signed. We will not; as service members, campaign for one candidate or another on "company" time or in the name of the service to which we belong. Further, once the President Elect takes office, we are sworn to uphold his (or her) orders. Divisive talk and criticisms of the CiC, especially in the workplace are certainly punishable under the UCMJ. Add in the fact that this person or persons have been advised/ordered to cease said discussions. Seriously, take it to your city hall, join a group, or volunteer for the DNC or GOP at some point; but do it as a private citizen ON YOUR OWN TIME and certainly not in uniform. Leave it at home, at your volunteer site, or with your family...do not bring it to the formation.

Having a problem with this issue, let me once again point out Gen, Flynn and to keep it short Gen. McChrystal both excellent warriors that forgot where the line is drawn for a military service member.

And use U.C.M.J. if they don't stop.

SSG (Join to see) - Unfortunately when it comes to those two topics few folks seem to have that ability. I've lost count over the years how many times I've see productivity grind to a halt while two or more folks engage in one of these discussions that turn into a shouting match. Talk about it outside of work at the bar if you want but keep it out of the workplace.

PO1 Edward Pate - We debate religion and politics at work all the time... we just stay respectful.

If that's the case more power to you. In my environment you are begging for a visit from corporate HR for not keeping that out of the workplace. Plus managing a bunch of millennials who have never been in the military is tough enough without adding those two topics to the mix.

PO1 Edward Pate - We are all military retirees and we respect one another. If someone comes over from another section and the discussion starts to get heated, we will shift the topic of discussion to something like the weather.

IG's Universally are not doing 'the right thing' and are shutting down many who have valid complaints.

If you believe any IG does their job or has in the last two decades, you have not seen abuses galore, reported them and then been shut down summarily by one and all all the way to top of any IG chain.

There is corruption in our military and in our civilian structures that are blocking 'best practices' as well as making it safe for all who raise their hand and take an oath that they honor but so many above them do not and will not.

More than ever, people in the military are being stepped on and overruled by contractors (examples) who have no business being on any military base at the gates or running IT exclusively or medically treating military personnel when they have zero experience doing so.

When you have seen 30+ years of abuses by military members and now contractors who tell COMMANDERS what they can and can't do, then come back and tell me the chain of command and the IG process still works.

For many, it isn't.

PVT Moirraine Campbell - Interesting comments coming from
PVT Moirraine Campbell
Army | Broadcast Journalist
A Rank and MOS not normally considered able to make the comments you have. How do you come to your opinion?
I readily understand many times "looks" can be deceiving, so please give us your backgound, experience, personal observations that give you the legitimacy to form, and state what you have.
Thanks for adding to the discussion I look forward to hearing about your 30 years (that was the number you quoted) of personal involvement that allowed you to form your position.

Military member, abused and tossed out instead of kicking out the 1st Sgt who tried to have sex with me and WAS having sex with at least two 19 year olds. I was separated for being honest BEFORE EEO was 'available' to anyone. I was protected by a kind and logical Major who helped me get out because he knew my report would fall on more than deaf ears, I would be destroyed. That major was a Chaplain. There was honor in some back then.

Military wife for 33 years - I saw things inside the military that any wife can see, abuses galore covered up by commands over and over. My daughter died and the 'grant' given to us as a very low ranking family to go bury her in Arizona, traveling from Italy, was taken back in one fell swoop by and illegal and immoral person who just 'could'. They also lost her body en route... Bankruptcy over my own daughter's death which could have easily been averted by real medical CARE. Brilliant leadership.

Waste, Fraud and Abuse hotlines are sandboxes for problems not ever fixed - buried well and continued on and on over for decades. Laws that block all public or even command view of any investigation which then spread to the civilian sector. No one has a 'right' to any info about an investigation of any abuse, against all common sense even when 'security' has no bearing on the issue, but your own safety and the safety of others is at stake.

IG complaints about abusing our military personnel with 'shut the hell up' drugs, ignoring and negating any reports of abuse by many in any chain of command. Contract doctors are allowed and DO NOW STILL use drugs on military personnel to keep them 'quiet' if hospitalized. Trazodone. Go look it up, you wouldn't want to be forced into it, removes all volition and can destroy short term memory. Because someone told the truth. Whoops.

Government Executive Secretary, "I need you to lose this Congressional request for about a week." No, I didn't stay, I quit. No one tells me to break laws. No one.

Government contractor - "Take out your CAC card to get around security if it won't work properly", and SO many more abuses of personnel and equipment seen as a contractor that I already knew as a military wife but saw more of and more frequently.

The IG process is broken or we'd have better working and less divisive military.

Commands are told what to do by contractors especially where IT and 'security' is concerned, and that alone makes the military a very dangerous place to be right now.

My "experience" is valid, I am sorry you see PV1, which should be at least E3 but was told 'if you don't have sex with me, you won't SEE your E3', as an invalid rank and me as an invalid person.

I'd hate to think that you are one of those who apparently turns a blind eye to any abuse in or out of the military structure, but the hint that you might be in right here on this page by your own words, doubting anyone who says anything is 'wrong' with our military.

There are abuses galore in the military and contracting. I will be silent, no more.

Take your inability to trust elsewhere. I am ex-military regardless of how long I served.

Huh?

Because everyone has opinions and as reservist who are civilian most of the month I wouldn't want to slip up and say something politically that might get me in hot water or have one of my airmen do the same.

Right on target Col. Personal opinon have no place while your on duty. Keep it to your self and save it for off time.

1SG Chuck Kindstrand - no criticism intended. One only rarely reaches our rank without having learned something about leadership and counselling. I was just filling in the blanks for those without our experience.