Posted on Jun 11, 2025
Here Are the Rules on Political Activity and Protests for Active-Duty Troops
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Normally, and up until recently - an American President in their capacity as Commander-in-Chief could visit "the troops" on bases in CONUS and overseas, without that appearance inferring any partisan political purpose. This President has ended that.
For instance - the rules say that you can attend a protest, or a political meeting or rally, while off-duty, but - not in your military uniform. So what does a Soldier do wrt to the rules when, the political activity comes to his/her doorstep, and their unit orders them to attend? It's quite possible that Mr. Trump's remarks yesterday at Ft. Bragg has put hundreds of our service members in that position, vis-a-via DoDD 1344.10, February 19, 2008:
4.1.4. Subject to any other restrictions in law, a member of the Armed Forces not on active duty may take the actions or participate in the activities permitted in subparagraph 4.1.1., and may take the actions and participate in the activities prohibited in subparagraph 4.1.2, provided the member is not in uniform and does not otherwise act in a manner that could reasonably give rise to the inference or appearance of official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement.
4.1.5. Activities not expressly prohibited may be contrary to the spirit and intent of this Directive. Any activity that may be reasonably viewed as directly or indirectly associating the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security (in the case of the Coast Guard) or any component of these Departments with a partisan political activity or is otherwise contrary to the spirit and intention of this Directive shall be avoided.
For instance - the rules say that you can attend a protest, or a political meeting or rally, while off-duty, but - not in your military uniform. So what does a Soldier do wrt to the rules when, the political activity comes to his/her doorstep, and their unit orders them to attend? It's quite possible that Mr. Trump's remarks yesterday at Ft. Bragg has put hundreds of our service members in that position, vis-a-via DoDD 1344.10, February 19, 2008:
4.1.4. Subject to any other restrictions in law, a member of the Armed Forces not on active duty may take the actions or participate in the activities permitted in subparagraph 4.1.1., and may take the actions and participate in the activities prohibited in subparagraph 4.1.2, provided the member is not in uniform and does not otherwise act in a manner that could reasonably give rise to the inference or appearance of official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement.
4.1.5. Activities not expressly prohibited may be contrary to the spirit and intent of this Directive. Any activity that may be reasonably viewed as directly or indirectly associating the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security (in the case of the Coast Guard) or any component of these Departments with a partisan political activity or is otherwise contrary to the spirit and intention of this Directive shall be avoided.
Here Are the Rules on Political Activity and Protests for Active-Duty Troops
Posted from military.comPosted in these groups: 
Political Opinions
Political Opinions
Edited 6 mo ago
Posted 6 mo ago
Responses: 4
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COL (Join to see)
You mean the duly authorized Color Guard, flanking the Flag, as a symbol of our democracy?? Check the same DoD Directive on the specific rules for military Color/Honor Guards wrt public appearances - including those at either party's national conventions. You'll find that this is inbounds:
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.
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.
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Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin
There's no what about-ism here guys, but you're both certainly quick to the draw. I was being facetious. Lighten up... I know the rules.
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SGM Jeff Mccloud
Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin - that's fair, I was caught off guard.
I am once again considering </sarcasm> xml tags for when the sarcasm is not laid on overly thick.
I am once again considering </sarcasm> xml tags for when the sarcasm is not laid on overly thick.
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'quite possibly' is very broad.
I attended Oregon Guard conferences, in uniform, where the guest speakers were politicians who devolved into political speeches. No one ever called it political activity.
I attended meetings, in uniform, where elected officials and senior officers were discussing political items. It was not called political activities.
I attended a political rally at the steps of the Oregon State Capitol where an elected official (also a USAR SF MAJ) wore his Class A's. I was in civilian clothes. I reminded him of the prohibition and told him who I was (a Guard 1LT at the time). He told me to mind my own business. So I did. I took a picture of him and sent it via email to his command. Care to know what I received? A "we'll look into it". Later, I received a call from my battalion commander reminding me to choose my battles carefully.
My point is, the military doesnt care about this until the optics get bad. The current president with troops isn't a bad optic regardless of his speech topic.
I attended Oregon Guard conferences, in uniform, where the guest speakers were politicians who devolved into political speeches. No one ever called it political activity.
I attended meetings, in uniform, where elected officials and senior officers were discussing political items. It was not called political activities.
I attended a political rally at the steps of the Oregon State Capitol where an elected official (also a USAR SF MAJ) wore his Class A's. I was in civilian clothes. I reminded him of the prohibition and told him who I was (a Guard 1LT at the time). He told me to mind my own business. So I did. I took a picture of him and sent it via email to his command. Care to know what I received? A "we'll look into it". Later, I received a call from my battalion commander reminding me to choose my battles carefully.
My point is, the military doesnt care about this until the optics get bad. The current president with troops isn't a bad optic regardless of his speech topic.
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SGM Jeff Mccloud
LTC Trent Klug I knew a few SF officers and NCOs who never passed on an opportunity to let others know they believed they were better.
Also have a very close friend who is a retired SF LTC who never shied away from telling those in SF who needed to hear it “Special Forces is ‘different’, not ‘better’ “.
Also have a very close friend who is a retired SF LTC who never shied away from telling those in SF who needed to hear it “Special Forces is ‘different’, not ‘better’ “.
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LTC Trent Klug
SGM Jeff Mccloud Good. I see all these reels and YouTube videos where they only talk to 'operators', SEALS, Rangers, and MARSOC. I'm not taking anything from their training, missions or success. They are great at what they do, but in the grand scheme so are almost all the rest of American military personnel.
One of my greatest failings was not going back to Ranger School after heat stroking out. However, I took all the Ranger training and the handbook to heart as an infantryman and infantry officer and I strove to be the best leader I could possibly be. Isn't that the goal of the school?
One of my greatest failings was not going back to Ranger School after heat stroking out. However, I took all the Ranger training and the handbook to heart as an infantryman and infantry officer and I strove to be the best leader I could possibly be. Isn't that the goal of the school?
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SGM Jeff Mccloud
LTC Trent Klug - That is the goal, and the same takeaway spoken the same way by an 18D in my class who completed Florida phase the second time with not enough Gos to graduate, and went back to Germany with a certificate of completion.
The problem with podcasts and reels is that "operators" are the easiest clickbait for a large swath of the right, as well as a large population of men who just think nothing could be cooler, so they must have all the right answers for anything from gear to guns to free markets, trade and international affairs.
In reality, SOF is just incredibly proficient at the basics, in addition to about a half dozen mission sets and two infil techniques that conventional forces don't do.
Several people I worked with at Bragg and Campbell are content creators now, to include the medic from my first team.
The problem with podcasts and reels is that "operators" are the easiest clickbait for a large swath of the right, as well as a large population of men who just think nothing could be cooler, so they must have all the right answers for anything from gear to guns to free markets, trade and international affairs.
In reality, SOF is just incredibly proficient at the basics, in addition to about a half dozen mission sets and two infil techniques that conventional forces don't do.
Several people I worked with at Bragg and Campbell are content creators now, to include the medic from my first team.
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COL (Join to see)
Of course - so was I, on a few occasions. If the "political activity" was about legislation and policy that your meetings were connected directly to and that was your place of duty, probably fine; if it was or became impromptu - a partisan political speech, than you should have gotten up and left. Or, gone to the organizers and told them that those speaking were inappropriate for the military audience. One of the problems these days is that everything is political - and speakers/attendees have no filter. They don't maintain decorum in such a setting. I am master-of-ceremonies (from my VFW) for my town's ceremonies for Memorial Day and Veterans Day. I coordinate all the speakers/participants and aim for as wide representation (from our Community) as I can. I do this on behalf of our City and I only have 1 rule: no politics at the podium.
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Give it a rest. I remember the entire student body at DLIFLC being turned out in uniform to stand in formation on a parade field while Loen Panetta gave a partisan political speech.
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