How do you feel about soldiers signing a political petition?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 23:22:43 -0400

Battles..question is this... How do you feel about soldiers signing a petition? Now I now this is freedom of speech however this is in reference to a soldier signing a petition to legalize marijuana. Is this violation of AR 600-85 or is this considered free speech? Besides pulling this soldier away and talking to them about the issue is there another way to correct the issue?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 28 at 2014 11:28 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 23:28:54 -0400

Good question. In this case the SM is signing a petition which supports an issue that violates UCMJ. Foolish on their part, but unless you catch them red handed, I don't think there is anything that can be done. If they are not in uniform and not representing the service I don't believe they are violating regs.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 28 at 2014 11:38 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 23:38:01 -0400

http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/defense_ethics/ethics_regulation/1344-10.html

References: (a) DoD Directive 1344.10, “Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces on Active Duty,” August 2, 2004 (hereby canceled)

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Jun 28 at 2014 11:41 PM

SPC Christopher Smith — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 23:41:19 -0400

To me signing a petition is not much different than voting. As long as it is done out if uniform, it should be fine.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2014 7:08 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 07:08:59 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member without doing some research and based only on the information provided, if the petition was signed off post and out of uniform I would not have an issue with it. If the petition was being circulated on post, then I believe we have a problem. If the Soldier was off post and signing that petition in uniform, again I believe we have a problem.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2014 7:24 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 07:24:30 -0400

Signing a petition asking for the legalization of weeds isn't the same as smoking weed. It simply supports the legalization of a controlled substance. It's perfectly within the Service Member's right to exercise free speech on their own time and out of uniform.
The only petition that could conceivably be in conflict with UCMJ would be a petition that supports any form of sedition. This type of petition is not in keeping with UCMJ or our Oaths of Enlistment.

Response by SFC John Fourquet made Jan 18 at 2017 9:42 AM

SFC John Fourquet — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 09:42:41 -0500

A soldier has the right to sign petions. He must do this as an individual and not as a soldier. In other words he signs as Mr. John Doe not PFC John Doe-US Army. There is no corrective action to take if the soldier signed a petition as an individual US citizen. Just remind the soldier not to use his militarry status when lending his support to politcal issues. You might als remind this soldier that the Army still considers marijuana to be an illegal drug and that local laws will not apply to him, even if he used marijuana off post.

Response by SPC Kari Grove Wright made Jan 18 at 2017 10:03 AM

SPC Kari Grove Wright — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 10:03:54 -0500

Just because someone signs the petition doesn't mean they are smoking pot. Maybe they have reasonsome for their views, but don't partake in the behavior. Assuming so is wrong on your part. Don't get me wrong this person could fail a UA, but that doesn't mean they are a smoker, because they signed a petition.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2017 2:13 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 14:13:41 -0500

I agree with the majority of the respondents here in that as long as he is off duty, off post and not in uniform, there is no issue here. A simple reminder about use of said product is against UCMJ regs would be a good idea.

Response by COL Korey Jackson made Jan 18 at 2017 2:23 PM

COL Korey Jackson — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 14:23:20 -0500

First, signing a petition as an American citizen is generally OK, and as previously stated, has some caveats.

But, unlike our secret ballot system, I would caution that signing a petition often becomes a public record. All of us who sign petitions should be aware that our anonymity disappears once we sign the petition – so we should be prudent regarding which petitions we sign.

In my family research, I discovered an ancestor that, along with his neighbors, signed a petition in 1861 to the governor of Virginia urging his state’s secession from the United States. His signature on that petition had real ramifications, with subsequent impact on his enduring legacy through successive generations.

Many years ago, while attending college, I signed several petitions of candidates trying to get their names added to the presidential ballot. Consenting to the sales pitch, and in some cases, the batting of eyelashes of the petition signature collectors, I neglected to conduct meaningful independent research into their backgrounds. Twenty years later, while serving in the Army, I received a letter from one of the same candidates, asking if I would be his campaign manager for my home state (and presumably, to coordinate petitions to have his name added, once again, to the presidential ballot). Lesson learned – searchable databases are created from your signature on a petition.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2017 12:10 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 00:10:35 -0500

As long as they do it not in uniform or on military time then their is nothing wrong with it. Also if person was not in uniform or if they signed it online how would you know if that person is military or not? I sign petitions all the time however I'm just a weekend warrior.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2017 6:14 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 06:14:21 -0500

To further clarify, the DoDI MAJ Petrarca posted a link to says nothing with regard to location or clothing worn. "It has to be done off post" or "not while in uniform" are inaccurate. Should it be done in those manners, yes. Required in those manners, no.

Response by 1SG Billye Jackson made Jan 20 at 2017 7:55 AM

1SG Billye Jackson — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 07:55:12 -0500

I Call BS on this Out Of Uniform Crap. Whether you are Out of Uniform or Not, you are On Duty 24/7,and you Give up Freedom of Speech when you Raise your hand and take the Oath. My Thoughts, you are welcome to your Own.

Response by SGT Mary G. made Jan 24 at 2017 4:30 PM

SGT Mary G. — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 16:30:14 -0500

If I remember, correctly, the issue about being politically active is about NOT attending rallies, protests, etc. in uniform. However, I also recall there was a certain amount of confusion in the ranks about what was and was not allowed, so many of the youngest and newest in particular did not pay attention to politics - even to the point of not voting. Some units went so far as to delay opportunity for soldiers to register to vote so that it was past the deadline, and they couldn't. Something like that sends a strong message about what the unit prefers. I suppose if/when someone does something they shouldn't, the unit leadership must answer for it too, so discourages political interest.