Marine faces boot for anti-Obama Facebook posts

According to Pentagon directives, military personnel in uniform cannot sponsor a political club; participate in any TV or radio program or group discussion that advocates for or against a political party, candidate or cause; or speak at any event promoting a political movement. Commissioned officers also may not use contemptuous words against senior officials, including the defense secretary or the president.

Click here to read news report
CuteOldGuy's Avatar
He should get booted. A serviceman/woman is not allowed to disparage a senior officer in public. Even though I agree with the Marine, he disregarded protocol, and should be disciplined accordingly.
dearhunter's Avatar
A marine is there to kill and break things.....kick him out and give him a talk show.....ijs.
A marine is there to kill and break things.....kick him out and give him a talk show.....ijs. Originally Posted by dearhunter

Lawls..
I B Hankering's Avatar
Key words and phrases:

According to Pentagon directives, military personnel in uniform cannot sponsor a political club; participate in any TV or radio program or group discussion that advocates for or against a political party, candidate or cause; or speak at any event promoting a political movement. Translated, that means a service member cannot wear a uniform while s/he participates in such activities. Marines, soldiers, etc., can participate in those activities as a private citizen if s/he doesn't actively try to connect his/her service to the chosen political activity. This Marine identified himself as a Marine on his Facebook page, and no doubt had pictures of himself and his buddies in uniform; so, he probably broke some regulation.
Commissioned officers also may not use contemptuous words against senior officials, including the defense secretary or the president.
This Marine was not a commissioned officer.

Click here to read news report Originally Posted by Sexyeccentric1
Whether it be Gen George McClellan of the Civil War, Billy Mitchell if the WW-1 era, Douglas MaCarther, or this latest Marine, the one thing that all soldiers know, or should know, is you do not make disparaging remarks about the Commander in Chief in public.

As a combat Veteran, I have no sympathy for him. He knows the rules.
I B Hankering's Avatar
Whether it be Gen George McClellan of the Civil War, Billy Mitchell if the WW-1 era, Douglas MaCarther, or this latest Marine, the one thing that all soldiers know, or should know, is you do not make disparaging remarks about the Commander in Chief in public.

As a combat Veteran, I have no sympathy for him. He knows the rules. Originally Posted by Jackie S
In this day and age, he knew the rules.
JD Barleycorn's Avatar
I have to disagree in some areas; the regulation specifically says an active duty military person cannot appear in uniform or say that their opinion represents the official opinion of their service. Now you may complain that regulations haven't caught up with technology but it appears that this marine was not technically in public. The law is the law as written.

However; Article 81, http://www.ucmj.us/sub-chapter-10-pu...-81-conspiracy Conspiracy. If you can prove that this marine was in contact with other service people about not obeying orders.
Article 88, http://www.ucmj.us/sub-chapter-10-pu...ward-officials Contempt towards officials. Basically badmouthing civilian authorities.
Article 92, http://www.ucmj.us/sub-chapter-10-pu...-or-regulation Failure to obey a lawful order if he refuses to report for duty overseas.

There are a few more but his defence is that Obama cannot give a lawful order since he is not legally the president. (these are not my thoughts but his defense)
I B Hankering's Avatar
I have to disagree in some areas; the regulation specifically says an active duty military person cannot appear in uniform or say that their opinion represents the official opinion of their service. Now you may complain that regulations haven't caught up with technology but it appears that this marine was not technically in public. The law is the law as written.

However; Article 81, http://www.ucmj.us/sub-chapter-10-pu...-81-conspiracy Conspiracy. If you can prove that this marine was in contact with other service people about not obeying orders.
Article 88, http://www.ucmj.us/sub-chapter-10-pu...ward-officials Contempt towards officials. Basically badmouthing civilian authorities.
Article 92, http://www.ucmj.us/sub-chapter-10-pu...-or-regulation Failure to obey a lawful order if he refuses to report for duty overseas.

There are a few more but his defence is that Obama cannot give a lawful order since he is not legally the president. (these are not my thoughts but his defense) Originally Posted by JD Barleycorn
Article 88 does not apply: this Marine is not a commissioned officer.

Nothing in the rules prohibits or restricts a military member registering to vote or voting, or donating to politicians or political parties; that is the personal choice of each member. What the rules do restrict or limit is how an individual may advocate on behalf of a political party, candidate, or elected official. The greatest restriction is that Active-duty service-members are strictly prohibited from military voting including campaigning for political office or actively taking part in a political campaign — even behind the scenes. This is generally known as partisan political activity: an “activity supporting or relating to candidates representing, or issues specifically identified with, national or State political parties and associated or ancillary organizations.”

Overseas members of the military and their families are guaranteed the right to vote by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. However, the difficulties of obtaining absentee ballots in remote and dangerous areas of the world and returning them in time have led to shockingly high rates of disenfranchisement. The Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act (MOVE Act) of 2009 required changes by 2010 intended to provide greater military voting opportunities.

http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134410p.pdf
Don't Be Daft!'s Avatar
In the UK you'd be demoted a rank. I believe that's it.
CuteOldGuy's Avatar
In Holland, I think you get a ribbon and a three day pass.