Posted on Apr 30, 2016
When are military uniforms allowed at political rallies? I took this picture off my TV today at a Trump town hall meeting.
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Posted in these groups: 
Uniforms
Uniforms
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 150
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IAW DoD Directive 1344.10, February 19, 2008 (http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134410p.pdf):
"4.1.2. A member of the Armed Forces on active duty shall not:
...4.1.2.15. Attend partisan political events as an official representative of the Armed Forces, except as a member of a joint Armed Forces color guard at the opening ceremonies of the national conventions of the Republican, Democratic, or other political parties recognized by the Federal Elections Committee or as otherwise authorized by the Secretary concerned."
That is the official rule.
"4.1.2. A member of the Armed Forces on active duty shall not:
...4.1.2.15. Attend partisan political events as an official representative of the Armed Forces, except as a member of a joint Armed Forces color guard at the opening ceremonies of the national conventions of the Republican, Democratic, or other political parties recognized by the Federal Elections Committee or as otherwise authorized by the Secretary concerned."
That is the official rule.
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If his not active he's ok. You see all kinds of Vets and retirees at parades wearing dress uniforms.
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This is not the first time this takes place, not the first time individuals or whole chain of command make the decision of violating doctrinal guidance and it will probably not be the last. Very often these days uniform personnel fails to read and learn about doctrinal guidance and often makes bad decisions and/or poor choices. Wearing the uniform meant something. it gave a sense of pride and honor. Now not so much.
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Some office commando is going to nail him for that. Hopefully they kick him out and give is job to an multicultural Transgender airmen... MARINE CORPS
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If it was a town hall as shown by the news banner, he may be there, a town hall is designed to get a communities input, as such, you could justify being there assuming there was no attempt to either sway opinion or endorse a candidate. Though I would still argue it's not the wisest idea and the said officer's judgement was questionable at best.
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SGT (Join to see)
Please post athe verbiage and the link to the verbiage that states RETIRED military cannot wear the uniform in a political setting. I've already looked at 10 USC SS 772 and the Hatch act, there's nothing.
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I'm sure he's well aware, but what will the repercussion be for this Army officer?
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PO1 Robert Teague
I'm not trying to get anyone in trouble. My point is that this could be an act of stolen Valor or just someone looking for attention.
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I keep seeing people posting here and on Facebook that if he is retired its a violation of the hatch act. This in incorrect. The hatch act only applies to serving federal employees and certain state and local employees who's position is funded by the federal government.
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CW3 Stephen Mills
Department of the Army policy, however, does limit these trials to cases where extraordinary circumstances are present. The Army normally declines to prosecute retired Soldiers unless their crimes have clear ties to the military, or are clearly service discrediting
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CW3 Stephen Mills
But specifically what article of the UCMJ would wearing a uniform be a violation of. Its a violation of AR 670-1, but while retirees can be held accountable to the UCMJ, they aren't accountable to a lawful order or Army regulation, unless they have been recalled.
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PO1 Robert Teague
CW3 Stephen Mills - Probably falls somewhere in article 134 or disobeying a lawful order. However I highly doubt the military will prosecute. It's a common sense thing.
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CW3 Stephen Mills
Yeah, personally I don't think either art 134 or 92 applies, but I do agree 100%, the military isn't going to waste money, time and energy chasing someone down for a uniform violation. Especially considering that its related to someone who could possibly be the next president of the U.S. and commander in chief, lol.
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