How long do we have until our political beliefs make us ineligible for security clearances, reenlisting, even enlisting in the first place?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 May 2021 23:27:01 -0400

With this new push for eliminating extremism in the military with the same force as Equal Opportunity and SHARP, even to replace the Suicide Awareness training, will there come a day when our political beliefs make us ineligible for security clearances, reenlisting, even enlisting in the first place? I believe it will come sooner rather than later. What about you?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2021 2:08 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 May 2021 02:08:19 -0400

I do not feel that our political leanings will make us ineligible for enlistment/reenlistment nor security clearances nor should it be used as such. Here is my thinking.....If we used the political leanings of folks as a basis for qualification, then there would be no one eligible to join. Look at it this way: If no one that registers as anything other than Democrat can enlist....how many folks in the Nation does that cut out for eligibility? Same thing for Republican? Or even Libertarian? If stats are true, then currently 1% of the Nations people meet the basic requirements to join. Of that 1%, only approximately 0.5% actually join (give or take). According to an article in ArmyTimes from 2017, the target audience for enlistment consisted of 33.4 million. Of that, only 9.7 million were qualified to join the Army. Of that number, it was figured that only 136,000 actually joined. The branches have enough of a hard time to meet target numbers. Throw in political beliefs and you've just killed your recruiting mission.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made May 5 at 2021 5:32 AM

LTC Kevin B. — Wed, 05 May 2021 05:32:25 -0400

Won't happen. Political leanings aren't the problem; extremism is the problem. Two completely different things.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made May 5 at 2021 11:21 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 05 May 2021 11:21:09 -0400

Depending on the political belief, this ALREADY happens. KKK members cannot join up. Nor can avowed racists. (Avowed being the operative word, there). Nor can people who are actively seeking to undermine or destroy the government.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2021 12:45 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 May 2021 12:45:53 -0400