Is it okay to berate the Commander In Chief?

I disagree. Reservists not on active duty or inactive duty for training retain all of their rights when not in government employ. That is our duality. Otherwise, you could say that when we retire, because we are on retired lists and not truly civilians, we cannot speak out. I believe that to be utter nonsense. We are subject to recall, yes, but unless we are, our rights reign supreme.

Great point CDR Michael Goldschmidt I appreciate your candor and wisdom.

Thanks, guys, but it's more experience than wisdom. I've been on pretty much all sides: I was a regular, then a drilling reservist, then a reservist on voluntary recall as the XO of a Reserve Center and, finally, as a reservist on involuntary recall to an AOR CinC staff early in the Afghanistan War. I had a CO, at one point, who would complain about President Clinton. I agreed with him but warned him that he could get in trouble for it, so we needed to keep the griping between us. We did. He was the best CO I ever had!

We really don't have a Legal Commander in Chief as when he was sworn in they used the Quran and not a Bible.

If you have strong opinions on both, perhaps we should have a discussion sometime. I like to hear opinions, I am not so hard-line that my views cannot be swayed. But I'd like to hear talking points, not dribble and not a rehash of what they heard on the news last night. I urge you to find someone you can talk politics with, it may surprisingly test your intestestinal fortitude. My best advice: get out of your comfort zone once in awhile (with people you are comfortable with).

Oh, I completely agree. I have strong opinions of both, and I tend to discuss both thoroughly with my wife. However, my friends generally don't care too much, and in uniform I avoid that stuff because, as people have pointed out, you never know who's listening. Though when you bring up our commander in chiefs name it is fun to see how pissed some people get... :D

And what defines "great BBQ"... Just sayin'
:)

How about instead of everyone posting their their personal beliefs (feelings), we all go talk to a lawyer in the JAG and then pick the conversation back up. I think that you will find that you have a lot fewer rights once you become a member of the armed services!

SGT Ryan Esquivel, go ahead and continue down-voting. It doesn't matter what either of us THINKS. The question had zero to do with not following unlawful orders. Everybody knows, or should know, the policy on that issue.
This is about opening berating the Commander-in-Chief. Getting together with buddies and bitching about something is a little different from representing the military and then ridiculing the President...especially in a forum that anyone can access.
In the military, we sure can say whatever we want, but we also have to expect that there could be consequences that are not necessarily applicable to the average citizen. If we wish to openly criticize our CIC and COC, perhaps we should find a different line of work.

SGT (Join to see) you are 100% correct. I may or may not agree with what our CIC is doing or saying but I will never say anything that may be used or looked at as disrespect. SGT Ryan Esquivel I see that your profile states that you are retired so you are allowed to say what ever it is that you want to say. As for us still putting this uniform on we as did you when you were in have to respect the CIC or COC each and every day in or out of uniform.

We all signed an oath. We will follow the orders of those above us. Last time I checked the CIC is as high as it goes. He is above us and always will be. If you dont like that then you should become president and change the rules.

I bet that if you were to become president you would not change the rules because no one likes having S&*( talked about them.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

So...

I'm going to put it this way...

Every voting year, you are all (or should be) briefed on what is acceptable and unacceptable from a service member where it concerns parties and their candidates, it includes the president.

You are told you cannot support or express support for a candidate while in uniform because it implies support for that candidate from the military service whose uniform is being worn.

You are told that you cannot speak at a political rally while in uniform. Why? Because it implies support of that candidate from the military service whose uniform is being worn.

Now, I know that expressing dissent or dissatisfaction over the president's policies and performance can be widely interpreted as disrespectful (or not). In my opinion, following the guidelines above insulates you from getting in trouble for making disparaging or disrespecting remarks about the CIC. But, I think you'll find that interpretation will vary depending on who your supe or commander may be.

A good rule of thumb is to restrain your comments and NEVER post your opinions in social media (i.e. RP, FB, Twitter, etc.. That is, unless you've retired or separated) and refrain from making comments about the current administration outside of a small circle of VERY trusted friends and family.