If Active Duty, do you think posting political opinions could one day come back to harm your advancement?

Sgt Mark Ramos — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 17:15:52 -0400

During my active days I was very conscious about anything that could be construed as criticizing the chain of command or civilian leaders; at least around unknown company.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Apr 13 at 2014 7:46 PM

LTC Jason Strickland — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 19:46:31 -0400

It could definitely hurt your career. As representatives of the federal government - while in uniform - service members must be careful in how they express their opinions. Nobody wants someone who totes the party line; however, we must speak with tact and respect, appropriately.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Sep 19 at 2014 10:40 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 22:40:04 -0400

It definitely will.

Response by PO1 Michael G. made Sep 20 at 2014 11:14 AM

PO1 Michael G. — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 11:14:28 -0400

Sgt Mark Ramos Yes, absolutely it could. I think that there are two ways that it could. The first being that a superior may be on the other side of the political fence than you and you may alienate them or poke a sleeping bear that didn't need to be poked. Another way is that a superior may feel that you are too divisive to be be an appropriate leader for your organization.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2014 6:34 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 18:34:40 -0400

IMO big brother is watching everything. So it's a definite yes.

Response by GySgt Joe Strong made Oct 1 at 2014 4:13 PM

GySgt Joe Strong — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 16:13:00 -0400

I consider this an unfortunate affirmative.

When I was Active and had a President I wasn't overly fond of, I chose my comments carefully.

IMHO, one SHOULD be able to discuss openly how one feels about politics with those that one serves with and your speech shouldn't be an issue until you get out and about and start bad mouthing in the general public while still serving.

Is a web forum out and about? Well if it's FaceBook and you are posting to everyone and not confining it to your friends, then yes, of course. But once you post it there's also no control that one of your friends won't re-post it somewhere you'd never have sent it. So again yes , of course. Here, really, I would like to consider it a campfire type situation where we could be open and transparent with each other but since there are already agitators and fake profiles on board, well, that door closes also.

Response by HN Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2014 10:46 AM

HN Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 10:46:19 -0400

I definately think posting political beliefs and ideas is a bad thing and can definately hurt your Career. I may not agree with alot of the policies and ideas that the government and the president are doing but it is my duty to serve the country i love and it was my choice to join knowing that i would serve under the commander in chief and follow orders. You dont bad mouth your boss because you dont like what hes doing. Also political ideas online usually lead to some type of argument and that also reflects badly on the military when you have an AD member arguing with someone over something such as is abortion good or bad. I say keep your opinions to yourself unless your with close friends and you can keep it to a discussion instead of an argument. its always good to debate but be careful.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Oct 4 at 2014 6:40 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 06:40:05 -0400

I say definately yes. When I was in there was no social chat room like RP, I also wasn't politically motivated. In todays day and age, its funny, I can google my name and come up with things I posted 10 years ago on some obscure site.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jan 5 at 2017 1:49 AM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 01:49:50 -0500

It is against UCMJ to speak ill of your chain of command and civilian leadership but your civic duty to be involved in the direction your country heads.. I never endorsed a candidate at work during the election but would compare the world today to the time period during 1933-1939, I would mention how at the start of every major conflict in the 20th century Democrats were in the White House, and so on. Educating and stating fact is being a well informed soldier which is what the American people expect you to be.

Response by PO3 John Wagner made Jan 5 at 2017 4:47 AM

PO3 John Wagner — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 04:47:41 -0500

Yer fuckin A