Are we required to honor, respect and generally concur with the POTUS?

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:14:46 -0400

The President of the United States (POTUS) is also the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United State. As the holder of the highest office in the land the POTUS is to be honored officially in all public appearances and affairs of state. One definition of honor is highly respected.
Respect may be defined as a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. In this sense as military members and veterans and others we clearly understand respect for the holder of an office. We respect those in authority over us; but, experience will help us respect them deeper or less depending on their performance.
As a Christian I respect everybody. Practically I struggle with respecting some people in my mind and I need to ask God's help to help me respect them.
Concurrence with positions taken by the POTUS is another matter entirely. I do not believe we are obligated by our oaths of office to concur with positions or decisions made by the POTUS. Only military service members are required to obey the decisions of the POTUS which affect them. Shout out to SSG Joel Murray for posting the negative version of this question about blatant disrespect.
What are your thoughts? I request that we demonstrate respect for each other in our responses.
LTC Stephen C., LTC Bink Romanick, MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas, CMSgt Mark Schubert, LTC John Shaw, GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad, SSgt Private RallyPoint Member, Sgt David G Duchesneau, SGT Randal Groover, SGT Forrest Stewart, Sgt Kelli Mays, SrA Christopher Wright

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Oct 14 at 2015 12:18 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:18:33 -0400

Nothing that I have read rquired veterans to honor and respect POTUS. With that said veterans do respect and honor POTUS because this is what we believe in. We still respect those who are senior to us who are active duty or veterans.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 14 at 2015 12:19 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:19:11 -0400

I personally believe we are to honor the POTUS as long as that person is alive. I also believe I need to respect the person who is and those who have been POTUS even if I vehemently disagree with most of their positions. I find no warrant for any obligation to concur with the POTUS.
I have been praying for each President and their spouse since George H.W. Bush was elected as long as they are in office. I pray for our leaders that we may live peaceful and quiet lives.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 14 at 2015 12:22 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:22:18 -0400

You many not agree with the man but we should all honor the office

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 12:24 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:24:24 -0400

As long as we are under UCMJ .... there isn't much else we can do.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 14 at 2015 12:26 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:26:16 -0400

No we are citizens and have the same rights as anyone with those exceptions noted in the UCMJ. We took an oath of Enlistment that didn't include those points.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Oct 14 at 2015 12:51 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:51:16 -0400

The best way to sum this up comes from the mini series "Band of Brothers". In one of the last scenes, then Maj Winters and his former Company Commander CPT Sobel cross paths. Sobel used to out rank Winters but quickly found himself on desk detail while Winters went on to command one of the most historic units in Army history. As Sobal walks about, Winters looks at him and reminds him that we salute the rank NOT the person. The same can be said about public office. While you may not agree with the person's view that is currently holding the seat, the respect for that office is based on the collective of people who have held that seat. The respect isn't solely for the person, its the respect of what that office represents. So yes, we are required to respect the office as military members and that respect should continue as a Veteran.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 14 at 2015 12:57 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:57:38 -0400

No one is required to honor and respect the POTUS. Thus, the far more important question is how can anyone serve on active duty if they don't honor and respect their Commander-In-Chief? Obviously, it is a mute question for me. Who would want this cranky old man in their military? However, if I were fit for service and the current President were presiding in the White House, I could not, would not serve under him. I would find other ways to serve my nation more effectively in other ways. Indeed, I do even though not fit for active military service. As a veteran, I do all I can to serve other veterans as well as active duty personnel. I serve my community as an active volunteer. I will respect the office of President, but I will never respect this man.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 12:59 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:59:33 -0400

I believe the office and whomever holds the office earns the respect - however, that does not mean one (regardless of active duty status) has to concur with all of their personal views/agenda(s). You can respect the CiC/POTUS office and tactfully disagree with policies.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 1:23 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 13:23:26 -0400

If we're in a capacity that is bound to the UCMJ, we are required to honor, respect and generally *defer* to the *office* of the POTUS. While we need not have the same feelings toward whoever is filling the office, we absolutely should bite our tongue about that individual on most matters, at least until they are out of office.

Or, as a crusty old LTC said during a deployment of mine, "If I had to say '*President* Clinton,' then you sure as hell have to say '*President* Bush.'" No matter my opinion of our current/last CIC, he is/was the CIC, and the crusty old LTC was dead-on in his assessment.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 1:54 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 13:54:39 -0400

You may not be required to agree, but you are required to promote and enforce all positions so long as they are lawful when in uniform. Once you are a private citizen you cannot undermine the decisions of the POTUS without challenging it in the courts (i.e. on legal grounds), through peaceful protests and appeals to public opinion (i.e. convince others the POTUS is wrong) or through election when the time comes. Other types of resistance constitute rebellion. So no, you are not REQUIRED to agree or to honor the POTUS beyond the matters of formality and protocol (this is also known as decency. you are REQUIRED to act with decency before the President of your country, if for no other reason that as a show of respect to the Constitution that put him there). But you are REQUIRED to act on his decisions: in uniform that means carrying out the will of the state (and therefore POTUS) and out of uniform it means obeying the law of the land as passed by Congress and implemented by the Executive Branch.

As an example, I opposed the Iraq war from day 1. I still think it was an atrocious strategic decision followed by an occupation that should offend the decency of any American. However, when I put on my body armor and locked&loaded at the gate before leading my scout platoon on hundreds of patrols, none of that mattered. I was there to enforce the will of the United States. But I made sure to vote against those who started the war in the first place when the time came and voiced my support for many criticisms of the policy that put us there.

Response by MAJ James Woods made Oct 14 at 2015 2:04 PM

MAJ James Woods — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 14:04:11 -0400

One would think this be an easy and obvious question but since the topic keeps coming up then I must question the character of our society. Respecting the position of POTUS is no different than respecting your boss cause they sit in a position of authority. One must earn your respect as a person. A person can be a dirtbag but respecting the position of authority is still expected. Disagreeing with the POTUS is a right we all have regardless of respect. I disagree with people I respect all the time. But at no time one should disrespect our leaders in a public forum.

Response by PFC Robert Falk made Oct 14 at 2015 2:23 PM

PFC Robert Falk — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 14:23:55 -0400

Honor the office not the person.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 14 at 2015 3:37 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 15:37:13 -0400

We should question or challenge our leaders in the government, or just sit idle and let the dominoes fall.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 4:58 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 16:58:11 -0400

We respect the office and the title, we may not like the person who is occupying it for the 4 to 8 year period but we still have to respect the office, our job is to serve the people and the person who they out in charge.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 6:56 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 18:56:29 -0400

I respect the office deeply and I do. When I see him on TV every night, I want to get sick to my stomach. He passes legislation through executive action and while I respect the office I cannot wait to see him gone.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 7:00 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 19:00:36 -0400

ILTC Stephen F. I believe that the office (position) is due some level of respect, much like the respect due any military member's rank, but respect (beyond the pffice/position like trust is earned.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Oct 15 at 2015 9:38 AM

LTC John Shaw — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 09:38:19 -0400

Honor and respect is what we should do as the President is the CnC, the civilian appointed over the military. Military are required to obey the lawful orders of those appointed over us.
Veterans are citizens and not subject to UCMJ, even when receiving retirement pay, unless recalled to duty. Soldiers have numerous Directives and UCMJ articles to follow.
We have no obligation to concur/non-concur with decisions made.
Please find this link the article is older, I will see if I can find something more recent.
http://cape.army.mil/repository/materials/WhenSoldiersSpeakOut.pdf

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2015 2:54 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:54:29 -0400

Respecting/Honoring a position, title or person is different then Concurring with or agreeing with them. While as Military members we are required to stand with the lawful decisions made we must still follow all lawful orders. Even if we think we know better. Just like behind closed doors any good NCO or higher will argue their points but when in front of everyone they must follow and support the decisions of the ranking person. When you Leave you can express your self more. I do not believe that all the decisions that he makes are in line with my personal beliefs but I will follow any Lawful order. If you can not respect the person you must still respect the position.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 15 at 2015 5:03 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 17:03:07 -0400

It is inevitable that the actions of the POTUS will impassion the masses.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 15 at 2015 6:43 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 18:43:28 -0400

In order, Not sure, Yes & No . Not sure what you mean by honor sir but if you mean honor/respect the office then yes. If you mean sing his praises just because he is who is, we'll I'm a bit out of tune and key for that. Whether POTUS or you're CO you don't have to agree or 100% concur but you must follow the mission and commander's intent.
OhBummer can't run again Yay!!!!!!