How can Servicemembers respectfully show disagreement with elected officials?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Sat, 02 May 2015 09:47:32 -0400

As Servicemembers under Oath, serving the country, how can we respectfully show or tell of our disagreement with elected officials or policies ? What can we do? What would be innapropriate? What things would constitute inappropriate critique or comments about Commanders in Chief? Or are there simply things we cannot say publicly until we leave the military?

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2015 9:50 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 May 2015 09:50:03 -0400

Sure can. I have done it. You can call the politician's office, or also email them to voice your concerns. Of course it has to be done tactfully and with respect, but it still can be done.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2015 9:56 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 May 2015 09:56:49 -0400

What can not be done is to appear in uniform at gatherings that are purely political. Nor can you use your status as a member of the military to promote a political cause.

By far the most effective and probably the least used is direct contact as Maj Whitehorn said.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 2 at 2015 10:04 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sat, 02 May 2015 10:04:58 -0400

"I am in the pay of the United States government. If I vote against the administration I am voting against my commander-in-chief. If I vote for the administration in office I am being bought."
- George Patton

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 2 at 2015 10:08 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 02 May 2015 10:08:18 -0400

We're citizens first.

Officers have the "Contempt" Article under the UCMJ, which is roughly equivalent to the Disrespect Article. Enlisted don't have the same article as it applies to Congress. However Tact is a leadership trait.

The old adage "It's not what he said, it's how he said it" holds true. You can get away with saying almost anything if you phrase it correctly. Unfortunately, I cannot recall which of our Colonel's said it, but the phrase was "Lieutenant sounds a lot like Douchebag when directed at you from above [sic]"

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 2 at 2015 10:09 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sat, 02 May 2015 10:09:44 -0400

Research issues and stop voting the same people in over and over?

Response by Sgt Tom Vaughn made May 2 at 2015 10:19 AM

Sgt Tom Vaughn — Sat, 02 May 2015 10:19:18 -0400

You vote. And insist on your right to do so , unlike the 100,000 service men and women over sea' s who did not get a vote in the last election ,
I polled members of my son's company when they returned from Afghanistan ,
67 marines. The vote was
4 for Obama
58 for Rhomny
5 said who cares , does not matter who wins
As for the lack of trust in your leaders ? You have ways within the UCMJ to show your disapproval. But be carful there are people watching all of us now , even 61 year old Marines

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2015 12:09 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 May 2015 12:09:48 -0400

Vote your mind...but educate yourself before you wander into a ballot box. I highly advocate voting for veterans, but so few of us actually go into politics.

When I voice my disagreements with our elected officials, I usually keep it within my inner circle of family. However, I use my ballot as the tool that it is.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 2 at 2015 12:22 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 02 May 2015 12:22:45 -0400

By respectfully not voting for them next election? :-)

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2015 12:29 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 May 2015 12:29:34 -0400

Folks -

There are many ways to voice your opinion. (1) Vote. (2) Direct communication with elected officials. This has to be done properly, tactfully and within bounds, especially those on Active Duty. State your disagreement politely, simply and specifically, as in: "I do not believe your comment on September 23, 2014, regarding the Taliban being on the run is accurate." Do NOT make inflammatory comments such as: "I will not obey illegal blah, blah, blah".... it gets you no where except the penalty box.

Just as you would approach your Commanding Officer with a problem, provide at least one, but preferably two, well thought out alternative solution(s) that would be effective, at least in your opinion. And no, telling your elected officials to "get their head out of .... " is not a real good idea. Once the aide reads that particular statement (and many others like it) the aide then either sends the letter to the Pentagon's liaison staff (if your letter comes from an obvious military source) or possibly the security detail.

Another alternative would be to join a Veteran Service Organization (VSO) such as the VFW, DAV, etc. Most service members deployed to combat areas are eligible for membership in the VFW for instance. The VSO's have active legislative organizations that are in constant direct, face-to-face communications with members of Congress and POTUS. When a subject matter comes up that affects active duty, veterans, retired personnel the VSO's are usually the one's that sit down with Congressmen/women and make the military's point of view well known. Joining a VSO is legal and allows you to voice your opinion, along with millions of others like yourself en masse, without worrying about getting yourself in trouble in areas you can't see the little red line.

Response by GySgt Randall Stufflebeam made May 2 at 2015 3:48 PM

GySgt Randall Stufflebeam — Sat, 02 May 2015 15:48:56 -0400

"When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen."

That quote came from General George Washington in response to a message that was sent to him from the New York Legislature:

" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[New York Legislature to Washington]

May it please Your Excellency --
At a time when the most loyal of his Majesties Subjects, from a Regard to the Laws and Constitution by which he sits on the Throne, feel themselves reduced to the unhappy Necessity of taking up Arms to defend their dearest Rights and Priviledges; While we deplore the Calamities of this divided Empire, We rejoice in the Appointment of a Gentlemen from whose Abilities and Virtue we are taught to expect both Security and Peace.
Confiding in you Sir, and in the worthy Generals immediately under your Command, We have the most flattering Hopes of Success in the glorious Struggle for American Liberty; and the fullest Assurances that whenever this important Contest shall be decided, by that fondest Wish of each American Soul; an Accommodation with our Mother Country; You will cheerfully resign the important Deposit committed unto Your Hands, and reassume the Character of our worthiest Citizen.
June 26, 1775
By Order -- C.V.B. Livingston, President

[Washington's Response]

June 26, 1775.
Gentlemen: At the same time that with you I deplore the unhappy necessity of such an Appointment, as that with which I am now honoured, I cannot but feel sentiments of the highest gratitude for this affecting Instance of distinction and Regard.
May your every wish be realized in the success of America, at this important and interesting Period; and be assured that the every exertion of my worthy Colleagues and myself will be equally extended to the re-establishment of Peace and Harmony between the Mother Country and the Colonies, as to the fatal, but necessary, operations of War. When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen; and we shall most sincerely rejoice with you in that happy hour when the establishment of American Liberty, upon the most firm and solid foundations, shall enable us to return to our Private Stations in the bosom of a free, peaceful and happy Country. I am etc.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "

Some of you, here, may remember the time during the Bill Clinton administration that the "Don't ask; Don't tell" policy was implemented. There was such consternation amongst us Marines about it, that we began being threatened with charges of mutiny, if we didn't stop with the denigration of our "Commander-in-Chief" over the issue.
I often look back to my military service as a time that; "I had a vote, but I did not have a voice."

NONE OF US WERE COMMITTING MUTINY!! We were exercising our 1st Amendment rights; of which we did NOT abdicate when we volunteered and made an oath to protect our 1st Amendment rights.

This very issue in one of the major reasons why I became involved in politics.

Now don't get me wrong, I fully understand the need to maintain respect and the highest levels of morals and morale. However, there is an appropriate balance the MUST BE MAINTAINED, else the oath that we made to "Protect and Defend the Constitution" is of no value.

As mentioned above, when speaking, politically, we should NOT be in uniform, as it gives the insinuation that we are speaking on behalf of the military and that would NOT be an accurate or valid position to infer.

As I started with this quote by General George Washington, I will leave you with the same quote. Remember, when you put on the military uniform, you do so AS A CITIZEN of these United States of America.

"When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen."

Response by CW5 Jim Steddum made May 2 at 2015 3:58 PM

CW5 Jim Steddum — Sat, 02 May 2015 15:58:14 -0400

No where does anything say you cannot disagree. But, disagree as a private person on your own time without disrespect and outward contempt. Speaking up, however, is not prohibited.

Response by CPL Brian Clouser made May 3 at 2015 7:38 PM

CPL Brian Clouser — Sun, 03 May 2015 19:38:27 -0400

By voting them out of office. Other than that it up to you. With me, I voice my displeasure privately among friends, in public it was "No comment" even when the politicians are/were traitors.

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made May 3 at 2015 10:18 PM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Sun, 03 May 2015 22:18:47 -0400

How can I express my opinions ans stay within regulations and be respectful?

Response by SSgt Khanh Pham made Aug 6 at 2015 7:38 PM

SSgt Khanh Pham — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 19:38:59 -0400

There is several ways to approach this thinking. i am not sure I CAN covery enough.

The legal way, it is outlined for you what you can and cannot do.

Engaging in political discourse and arguing over politics etc. You're actually employed 24/7 so at what time can you argue against your government that you're suppose to be an extension of?

Not voicing your disagreement, does not mean you stop becoming a citizen. However, by utilizing your citizen power, you are now in direct conflict with government power as the two are opposing. Government tries to control people, people tries to control government. It is dynamic if not a direct opposing force.

To continues being a professional soldier, I believe you have to check your activities as a citizen at the door. It is a difficult situation being a representative government, with a archaic military model. The way we operate is just one way, there are infinite ways to operate government/military/citizenship. For example, we could have had the common approach, if you vote for war, I will give you the gun. Go fight your own damn war. We take turn going to bat for what we care about. THe military would be a completely foreign concept to what it is today.

Would your life be compler if you do not ask this questin of yourself? In the big scheme of thing it doesnt matter. Mark Twain and Samuel Clemens are the same character, but I can never seem to associate them together. Maybe you can pull that trick. It may require letting go of you ego, so you can speak your opinion without showing your face. (EGO the key of why US failed at using UN to enforce hegemony, according to another old vet)

Response by SFC Bill Snyder made Oct 4 at 2018 4:43 PM

SFC Bill Snyder — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 16:43:14 -0400

In the voters booth. Only way.