Did you know this DOD Directive 1344.10, regarding service member involvement in Politics?

2015-11-13T18:27:50-05:00

Specifically the article discusses where we as service members can go to far.

Section 4.6.4 of this Directive provides:
“This is a lawful general regulation.
Violations of paragraphs 4.1 through 4.5 of this Directive by persons subject to the Uniform Code of Military
Justice are punishable under Article 92, ‘Failure to Obey Order or Regulation.’”
This means that you are charged with knowledge of this Directive. You can be court martialed for violating it,
and “I did not know about the Directive” is not a defense.
The prosecution is not required to prove that you had read the Directive
or that somebody had put a copy of it in your hands.
Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
If you are on active duty or even reserve duty, these restrictions apply to you 24 hours per day, 365 days per
year.
The rules apply when you are on leave or liberty “I did it on my own time” is not a defense.

Google search this doc.
http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134410p.pdf

Credit to Captain Samuel F. Wright, JAGC,USN the legal team of the ROA.
http://www.servicemembers-lawcenter.org

Home Page

Check out http://servicemembers-lawcenter.org! Home Page

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Nov 13 at 2015 6:29 PM

2015-11-13T18:29:30-05:00

Thanks for sharing?

Response by MSG David Chappell made Nov 13 at 2015 6:33 PM

2015-11-13T18:33:04-05:00

Nicely,,,,,,, uummm vague

Response by LTC John Shaw made Nov 13 at 2015 6:39 PM

2015-11-13T18:39:22-05:00

Specific Shall Not, I picked out...
4.1.2. A member of the Armed Forces on active duty shall not:
4.1.2.1. Participate in partisan political fundraising activities
4.1.2.2. Use official authority or influence to interfere with an election, affect the
course or outcome of an election, solicit votes for a particular candidate or issue, or require or
solicit political contributions from others. (No house to house visits for military)
4.1.2.6. Participate in any radio, television, or other program or group discussion as an advocate for or against a partisan political party, candidate, or cause. (Yes, even Reservist, not on duty.)
4.1.2.10. March or ride in a partisan political parade.
4.1.2.12. Display a partisan political sign, poster, banner, or similar device visible to the public at one’s residence on a military installation, even if that residence is part of a privatized housing development.
4.1.3. Commissioned officers shall not use contemptuous words as prohibited by section 888 of Reference (b) or participate in activities proscribed by DoD Directives 5200.2 and 1325.6
(References (g) and (h), respectively).
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. (The catch all)

Response by SSG Michael Hartsfield made Nov 13 at 2015 6:43 PM

2015-11-13T18:43:58-05:00

To echo my 1SG,"If you think you are going to get you ass kicked for doing it, you better ask somebody!"

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 13 at 2015 6:50 PM

2015-11-13T18:50:04-05:00

"4.1.2.6. Participate in any radio, television, or other program or group discussion as
an advocate for or against a partisan political party, candidate, or cause."

Is this forum a "group discussion"?

Good thing I've been out for over four decades; its kind of late to fire me now.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Nov 13 at 2015 10:46 PM

2015-11-13T22:46:36-05:00

It's derived from the Hatch Act which prohibits military participation in political activities, especially in uniform. It has been more than frustrating to deal with. I had an O-3 transferred into my unit without my knowledge. Before he showed up, he decided to put a uniform on and participate in some protest at a Congressman's local office; all well depicted on the 6 o'clock news. I had more "help" than I needed in doing my UCMJ duties. I must have done it about right as the Flags were split 50-50 on the punishment I meted out as being too light or too hard. I did my job as the Skipper but the spectrum of emotions that tried to get into my CO's Mast was all over the place.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 13 at 2015 11:27 PM

2015-11-13T23:27:06-05:00

But can't a service member, whether active or reserves, participate in politics as long as they're not in uniform, don't use their military position in any way, etc., etc.?

Wasn't there some Dem who recently got out of the reserves and is/was running for President and also served in some office while he was still affiliated with the reserves?

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Nov 14 at 2015 4:17 PM

2015-11-14T16:17:49-05:00

Anyone who serves/has served is aware of their limitations on speech, especially political speech. They may not know the chapter and verse of the UCMJ precluding it, but they get the general idea. And I doubt if many object. I didn't. I understood that military uniforms, especially those pimped out with brass and decorations, were designed intentionally to be intimidating and contemporary Americans seem to be easily intimidated. Even faux celebrity seems to have the ability to move many to vote/purchase like lemmings rushing to the sea.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2015 7:10 AM

2015-11-16T07:10:54-05:00

...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2016 6:01 PM

2016-05-02T18:01:33-04:00

This is a regulation. Failure to Obey [...] Regulation applies to EVERY regulation, whether you know about it or not.