How do you feel about officers getting into politics?

Service members are subject to numerous articles of the UCMJ that prohibit us from getting involved in politics while in uniform or while representing the US military. Simply by having your rank in front of your name on this social media site, you are subject to those articles. It's when you aren't representing the military where it gets into gray area. For me, gray area is still bad. You're leaving it up to interpretation. Your opinion generally doesn't matter. If it goes to UCMJ, it's in someone else's hands to determine if UCMJ applies...not yours. One of the problems we have is that people seem to think they can be individuals and as such, they aren't subject to the regulations which hold us to a higher standard than your average American. You can't say, "I'm COL Halvorson and I oppose Senator X's policy on Jell-O." You could go out in civilian clothes and NOT announce you are in the military and say the same thing...but...how hard is it for someone to take a picture and put a couple of words under it that says you are COL Halvorson and you said it? When you get to local and national level media situations, multiply that gray area by a bucket of chicken and you can see how badly this can swing out of control. I embrace the old-school mentality on politics. I don't have an opinion of individual politicians or their policies in public. Period. I am not fond of politicians in general. That's ok to say. I think there should be term limits. That's ok to say because it's a personal belief and I haven't made it a counter argument to policy or to a stance that a currently serving elected official has stated. If you are out of the military, game on. There are a lot of people bashing officers who have retired because they have stepped up. I don't. If they are no longer subject to UCMJ, then to me, they've got 20+ years of frustration to vent...and they have been close to some significant problems. Go for the gold. If you are in uniform, shut it. Tell other people to shut it. Do your job. Serve the nation.

Officers or Enlisted can get into politics once they leave service.

the best answer is - if you are active - do not - under any circumstances - get involved with politics - perception is what the key to UCMJ actions are - if it is perceived that you are speaking as a member of the Armed Forces, even if you do not mention it, then you are subject to the regulations. You (general you - not personal you) are not being paid to be political - you are paid to carry out the orders of the United States President. It is in your oath - Unless it clearly violates the Constitution, you will carry out those orders whether you agree or disagree with them.