Posted on May 31, 2020
Would posting your thoughts on what’s currently going on (not using any form of identification of your enlistment) get you in trouble?
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Army Regulations
Army Regulations
Posted 4 y ago
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You’re allowed an opinion. Be respectful and don’t reference your military status or do it in uniform.
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As long as you frame what you say with the understanding that it is "as a citizen" and not that of a service member. You are not authorized to speak as such until you are actually given authorization to do so.
Best bet is to just not comments to "I am monitoring the situation but am trying to be objective." Stay off social media with any comments as they can easily be misconstrued and twisted especially if you do so in uniform.
Best bet is to just not comments to "I am monitoring the situation but am trying to be objective." Stay off social media with any comments as they can easily be misconstrued and twisted especially if you do so in uniform.
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1LT (Join to see)
Great point. Even if one does do everything just right, others can still misconstrue meaning. And that risk is significantly high on a social media platform.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
To caveat, there are ways of indirectly identifying your service. You don't have to unclude a photo of you in uniform or the worda "as a Soldier..." References to basic training or combat or even military specific lingo, such ss PT, can indirectly ID you to be posting "as a Soldier" and not "as a private citizen." You must be EXCEPTIONALLY careful, because it is up to your Commander's interpretation. Don't give the Commander ANY room to interpret against you. Which, honestly, means "don't post it on social media" for the most part. The reward ain't worth the risk.
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Know that there are actual laws that restrict your political freedoms as a soldier. You will encounter these two time and again during your time in the Army - The Hatch Act and Article 88.
You are still a U.S. citizen and ought to act as such (voting, dicussing, etc.) but you must do so within a new ethical and political realm. This means unique legal ramifications for you as a member of a military organization that serves a democratic goverment.
We discussed some of the legal ramifications of political speech as service members here:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/can-military-service-members-criticize-former-presidents-at-any-level
Please verify your service here on RP.
You are still a U.S. citizen and ought to act as such (voting, dicussing, etc.) but you must do so within a new ethical and political realm. This means unique legal ramifications for you as a member of a military organization that serves a democratic goverment.
We discussed some of the legal ramifications of political speech as service members here:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/can-military-service-members-criticize-former-presidents-at-any-level
Please verify your service here on RP.
Can military service members criticize former Presidents at any level? | RallyPoint
Thinking specifically of The Hatch Act, can military service members criticize former presidents at any level? This was brought up in an ROTC discussion about the Army Profession and Civilian-Military Relations. Edit: I was corrected on my use of the Hatch Act in this situation, it does necessarily apply (See below, "John Monette"). There are a few key parts to this question: "service members", "former", "any level". So more specifically, I...
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1LT (Join to see)
I would also caution you not to discuss our current events of racial and political hostility on social media. You take a huge risk when doing so. It's almost never worth it.
I often choose to myself, but only here on RP, and I have pushed the limits a few times. I find that most people on RP are open for a discussion and willing to share their wisdom. But, I have also learned the hard way to keep sensitive political discussions off the internet.
I'm glad you asked this question. Hope you have enough feedback to make a decision either way.
I often choose to myself, but only here on RP, and I have pushed the limits a few times. I find that most people on RP are open for a discussion and willing to share their wisdom. But, I have also learned the hard way to keep sensitive political discussions off the internet.
I'm glad you asked this question. Hope you have enough feedback to make a decision either way.
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