Posted on Mar 25, 2015
What is acceptable, with regards to comments on social media, about the President, Elected Officials, or Candidates?
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On various social media sites (RP included) I see a lot, of what I consider, inappropriate comments about our president, other elected/appointed officials, and even potential candidates. I fully understand inappropriate is a matter of opinion. I did not vote for our president, nor am I a fan, but I do respect the office he holds. I also respect the positions of the rest of the elected officials who are front and center.
I am interested in your thoughts on what is in play, and what is not, and do you think things change when you retire? We are all entitled to free speech, but where does that end, and where have we crossed the line?
I am a retired Officer, and still believe I should abide by the same rules I was mandated to on active duty; but, I could be way off base.
This is what I know:
1. It is pretty clear for Officers: Art 88 of UCMJ (Contempt Toward Officials) specifically prohibits: Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
2. It is less clear for NCOs/Soldiers; Gray would be correct too. They are governed by ART 134 (The General Article) perhaps under (Disloyal statements (U.C.M.J. Article 134)) or (Indecent language (U.C.M.J. Article 134)).
3. And, I believe we should always treat everyone the way we want to be treated.
These are some references:
UCMJ:
http://www.ucmj.us/sub-chapter-10-punitive-articles/888-article-88-contempt-toward-officials
http://militaryadvocate.com/punitive-ucmj-articles/
FREE SPEECH IN THE MILITARY: http://nlgmltf.org/leaflets/GI_Rights_free_speech.html
Social media misuse punishable under UCMJ: http://www.army.mil/article/73367/
SFC Mark Merino CPT Aaron Kletzing Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS LTC Yinon Weiss CSM Michael J. Uhlig TSgt Hunter Logan GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad SGT (Join to see) CW5 (Join to see) COL Jean (John) F. B. TSgt Joshua Copeland SGT (Join to see) SGT Jim Z. LCDR Jaron Matlow Capt Christopher Mueller SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas SFC William Swartz Jr SGT William Howell Col Michael Grubbs, Ph.D., LMFT-S Col Joseph Lenertz PO2 William Allen Crowder ; Cpl Anthony Pearson CSM (Join to see) ; MAJ (Join to see) SSG Robert Burns
I am interested in your thoughts on what is in play, and what is not, and do you think things change when you retire? We are all entitled to free speech, but where does that end, and where have we crossed the line?
I am a retired Officer, and still believe I should abide by the same rules I was mandated to on active duty; but, I could be way off base.
This is what I know:
1. It is pretty clear for Officers: Art 88 of UCMJ (Contempt Toward Officials) specifically prohibits: Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
2. It is less clear for NCOs/Soldiers; Gray would be correct too. They are governed by ART 134 (The General Article) perhaps under (Disloyal statements (U.C.M.J. Article 134)) or (Indecent language (U.C.M.J. Article 134)).
3. And, I believe we should always treat everyone the way we want to be treated.
These are some references:
UCMJ:
http://www.ucmj.us/sub-chapter-10-punitive-articles/888-article-88-contempt-toward-officials
http://militaryadvocate.com/punitive-ucmj-articles/
FREE SPEECH IN THE MILITARY: http://nlgmltf.org/leaflets/GI_Rights_free_speech.html
Social media misuse punishable under UCMJ: http://www.army.mil/article/73367/
SFC Mark Merino CPT Aaron Kletzing Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS LTC Yinon Weiss CSM Michael J. Uhlig TSgt Hunter Logan GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad SGT (Join to see) CW5 (Join to see) COL Jean (John) F. B. TSgt Joshua Copeland SGT (Join to see) SGT Jim Z. LCDR Jaron Matlow Capt Christopher Mueller SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas SFC William Swartz Jr SGT William Howell Col Michael Grubbs, Ph.D., LMFT-S Col Joseph Lenertz PO2 William Allen Crowder ; Cpl Anthony Pearson CSM (Join to see) ; MAJ (Join to see) SSG Robert Burns
Social Media
Freedom of Speech
Respect
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 23
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I believe in the 1st Amendment. Everyone has a right to say their opinion, but not in uniform or giving the impression that you represent a group when you state your opinion. Say it out of uniform respectfully as if you were saying it to the person. Never use your rank or title and qualify that this is your personal opinion and that you are not speaking for or representing any group or organization. Just my opinion respectively!
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SSgt (Join to see)
The wisest course of action but as long as this applies to all Presidents and this is afterall what this is all about.
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Col Charles Williams thank you for your service and leadership in highlighting this issue. I have read comments left by some SM's and often wondered if they might be crossing the line. As a retired veteran I understand I am no longer held to the UCMJ boundries I were while serving, but like you I respect the office of the President of the United States. I too do not like current administration and have held back many comments out of said respect.
With that said I do believe people have the right to their opinions. As they say everyone's opinion are like buttholes... I usually tend to ignore comments without logical solutions. Some members on here often leave comments that are well thought out and I will usually respond in kind to those comments. However, personal attacks on the President and not his policies usually get no attention from me. SM's should carefully tred around personal attacks and instead stick to conversations about policies and always with professionalism. Other SM's should squash any trash talking or personal attacks on the President when appropriate.
I hope the people here can keep this format professional and respectful, otherwise wouldn't it be just another Facebook platform???
With that said I do believe people have the right to their opinions. As they say everyone's opinion are like buttholes... I usually tend to ignore comments without logical solutions. Some members on here often leave comments that are well thought out and I will usually respond in kind to those comments. However, personal attacks on the President and not his policies usually get no attention from me. SM's should carefully tred around personal attacks and instead stick to conversations about policies and always with professionalism. Other SM's should squash any trash talking or personal attacks on the President when appropriate.
I hope the people here can keep this format professional and respectful, otherwise wouldn't it be just another Facebook platform???
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Thank you all for your comments and perspectives! I will answer each personally ASAP!
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