Should Joe be allowed to express his opinion against their own Government?

SSG Leonard Johnson — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 16:58:00 -0500

Just wondering what everyone thinks. I believe if Joe is allowed to talk more politically and use his service as an example whether it be for or against there political leaders.
were suppose to shut our traps in uniform. I feel if more Joes were allowed to speak out....maybe we wouldn't keep hiring idiot politicians.

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Feb 2 at 2015 5:07 PM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 17:07:31 -0500

I beleive as long as you are serving, the opinions stay inside...and after that...up to you.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Feb 2 at 2015 5:08 PM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 17:08:53 -0500

Understand that freedom of speech is important, but as soldiers who swear loyalty to the Constitution, and officers who are commissioned by the president, we give up some of those rights.

I think that is important because of the civilian control of the military. Once the military starts speaking out against the civilians who are in command, that could hurt the cohesion. If anything, we can let people know of the bad decision the civilians make, which is why I think retired or those that have served have every right to speak.

But for me, not doing it in uniform.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2015 12:33 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 12:33:31 -0500

Our troops can have their opinions....no written contract is going to stop that from happening...how they express that opinion may have a bearing on his career.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 3 at 2015 12:58 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 12:58:06 -0500

Not if, but how.

It's a matter of Tact. You can say almost anything you want, if you phrase it the right way. The problem is that many folks don't know how to say things without skirting into the realms of Contempt, and Disrespect.

Active duty personnel have UCMJ prohibitions against those two things in particular. The trick is not crossing the line.

The old phrase, "It's not what he said, it's how he said it."

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Feb 3 at 2015 1:05 PM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 13:05:16 -0500

Granted, the question was relating to opinions vs. actions, but as Government employees...we all need to be aware of and heed The Hatch Act.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 3 at 2015 1:27 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 13:27:08 -0500

This subject has been covered in other discussions on RallyPoint, but I don't mind repeating myself. This one is important.

Those who serve sacrifice some of their rights including free speech to help preserve military order and discipline while on active duty. However they get them back when no longer in uniform. Thus it is not only their right, but also incumbent upon veterans to speak out on behalf of their brothers and sisters in arms. Who better understands the viewpoint of the service man or woman? Who can speaker with more conviction for what they saw and heard while serving? Who cares more for those on active duty than those who served?

Speak up veterans, speak up...