What are an enlisted soldier's limitations regarding speech in regards to the current admininistrations policies and agendas?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 16:27:19 -0500

Social medie ie., FB, Rallypoint, Twitter. My views that I have expressed regarding policies, apparent disdain for the military, Benghazi, ISIS, etc. has been called into question by a Colonel.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 4:30 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 16:30:49 -0500

Very tricky situation, which is why I temper my comments about the current administration while still in active status.

Response by PO1 Chris Crawley made Feb 6 at 2015 5:16 PM

PO1 Chris Crawley — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 17:16:37 -0500

A legal officer explained it to me as Chris Crawley could express his opinion at will, but Petty Officer Crawley could not. If you are representing yourself, all is good, but if you identify yourself as SFC Greenwood, you can only complain about the system, not the politicians/officers involved.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Feb 6 at 2015 5:31 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 17:31:47 -0500

- I do not know the exact reg or law but US military personnel are prohibited from disparaging comments about POTUS, SECDEF, and other senior elected officials. Basic thought process is they are in our chain of command and we should not undermine our chain of command whether they are at the strategic (POTUS, SECDEF) or tactical level (CO CDR).
- With above written, I would not classify all social media as being the same. For example FB and Twitter are open to all so therefore I would recommend a very guarded approach to anything I placed onto these forums. I would recommend a professional but less guarded approach within RP since all members are either military or former military. The RP audience therefore is able to place any comments within a proper context but the reg/law about POTUS still applies.
- There is a difference between a private and a public opinion. You can say what you want to a friend in your house but your comments in a bar should be more guarded and a speech to civilians even more so. Social media, by definition, are conversations taking place within a public forum.
- Finally, I think context matters. For example, saying/writing that POTUS is an idiot in a public forum would be out of bounds and against the reg/law for a military member. Saying/writing that the US does not have a strategy to defeat ISIS is a statement of fact that is not a direct attack upon POTUS/SECDEF and therefore acceptable in my opinion.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 6:12 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 18:12:52 -0500

I think this post was the one in question...

So, our Chief Executive 'grounded' five high level Taliban terrorist commanders, with stern instructions not to play with the other bad kids. Unfortunately, they are bad listeners. To my friends and comrades in the 'Stan' and elsewhere, be safe and trust no one!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2015 2:05 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 14:05:23 -0500

The oath was the oath. However, that whole "against all enemies foreign and domestic" Hitler was a terrorist is his own country. Look how that turned out. These days are scary! I would rather stand on what I know is right, vs. follow the rest of the sheep off the cliff. Oh -- haha. And I'm glad I'm OUT!

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Feb 22 at 2015 10:29 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Sun, 22 Feb 2015 22:29:52 -0500

I'll leave this right here...

http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/25/us/marine-obama