Soldier Reprimanded for Participating In Politics

[Silver_Bullet_00]

http://www.radioiowa.com/2012/03/30/sold...caucuses-event/

What's your thoughts on this? I personally would not have done it in uniform. He did brake a rule. In his defence in my 2&1/2 years in the Army Reserve as an enlisted non NCO (E-1 - E-4) I don't ever remember having anyone go over the rule. Is a letter of reprimand a little harsh? It pretty much rules out the chance of a promotion any time soon. For an officer it could be a career ender.

 

[NorthernBorn]

Re: Soldier Reprimanded for Participating In Politics

His support to a rival of the current president could be construed as "speaking out" against him. Soldiers, at least in the public venue, are supposed to be neutral.

That being said... I stand by him in what he did and I hope it helped in some way to "upgrade" our commander in chief.

 

[vwhugger]

Re: Soldier Reprimanded for Participating In Politics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NorthernBorn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">His support to a rival of the current president could be construed as "speaking out" against him. Soldiers, at least in the public venue, are supposed to be neutral.

That being said... I stand by him in what he did and I hope it helped in some way to "upgrade" our commander in chief. </div></div>

You got it.

 

[CE1371]

Re: Soldier Reprimanded for Participating In Politics

Ignorance of the UCMJ is not a valid defense. This guy made an idiot move and he knew better.

 

[ZLBubba]

Re: Soldier Reprimanded for Participating In Politics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CE1371</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ignorance of the UCMJ is not a valid defense. This guy made an idiot move and he knew better. </div></div>

^This. "No one is more professional than I." I have no sympathy for foolish people. Showing up in uniform, he was intentionally drawing attention to himself, especially since he is a reservist. I somewhat doubt he was on his way home from his one weekend a month, two weeks a year commitment. He wanted attention and got it. Case closed. Besides, an LoR in a E-4's record doesn't mean squat, and even less so in the reserves. I believe in a well-maintained, well-disciplined military. I'm glad this dude pulled the shenanigan before he got his stripes. Minimal damage control required.

 

[Silver_Bullet_00]

Re: Soldier Reprimanded for Participating In Politics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CE1371</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ignorance of the UCMJ is not a valid defense. This guy made an idiot move and he knew better. </div></div>

Ignorance is not a defense, but he might not have known better. It was stupid, but I don't think it deserved such a harsh punishment. It was just words, which didn't harm anyone, or put anyone in harms way. Seems Paul's campaign should have known better than to put someone up there in uniform. It's one thing to have a soldier support your campaign off duty and out of uniform, but it's not OK when they are in uniform representing the US Military. The Military does not endorse. He should have known better, but maybe he didn't, and he got caught up in a moment of passion. Far worse intentional misconduct sometimes gets just a slap on the wrist. I don't think this was intentional misconduct. I wish Paul's campaign would appoligize for putting him (a uniform soldier) in the spot light, and I say this as a Ron Paul Supporter. He was approached by the media and the campaign, he did not seek them.

 

[NorthernBorn]

Re: Soldier Reprimanded for Participating In Politics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZLBubba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
"No one is more professional than I." I'm glad this dude pulled the shenanigan before he got his stripes. Minimal damage control required. </div></div>

"No one is more professional than I" is actually from the NCO's Creed and being a Reservist E4 I doubt he even knows that line.

A Soldier's place is on the battlefield. Not in the political arena. That's all there is to it. If they let him off easy for doing this it would lead to a hell of a lot more doing it. There is no room for the polarizing effect of politics in ANY unit in ANY branch of the United States Military.

 

[CE1371]

Re: Soldier Reprimanded for Participating In Politics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Silver_Bullet_00</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CE1371</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ignorance of the UCMJ is not a valid defense. This guy made an idiot move and he knew better. </div></div>

Ignorance is not a defense, but he might not have known better. It was stupid, but I don't think it deserved such a harsh punishment. It was just words, which didn't harm anyone, or put anyone in harms way. Seems Paul's campaign should have known better than to put someone up there in uniform. It's one thing to have a soldier support your campaign off duty and out of uniform, but it's not OK when they are in uniform representing the US Military. The Military does not endorse. He should have known better, but maybe he didn't, and he got caught up in a moment of passion. Far worse intentional misconduct sometimes gets just a slap on the wrist. I don't think this was intentional misconduct. I wish Paul's campaign would appoligize for putting him (a uniform soldier) in the spot light, and I say this as a Ron Paul Supporter. He was approached by the media and the campaign, he did not seek them. </div></div>

He deserved exactly what he got. It's on him to follow the UCMJ and to act in an ethical manner that represents our military with honor and professionalism. We don't mix politics with military duty but that's not even what this is about. He was up there in the limelight for his 15 minutes of fame and he was abusing his status as a member of the military to get that 15 minutes. He used the uniform for his own egotistical needs, nothing more, nothing less.

Not much better than those idiots who are not even in the military that wear the uniform in public to receive attention. I have little patience for attention-seekers such as this example.

 

[Silver_Bullet_00]

Re: Soldier Reprimanded for Participating In Politics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CE1371</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Silver_Bullet_00</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CE1371</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ignorance of the UCMJ is not a valid defense. This guy made an idiot move and he knew better. </div></div>

Ignorance is not a defense, but he might not have known better. It was stupid, but I don't think it deserved such a harsh punishment. It was just words, which didn't harm anyone, or put anyone in harms way. Seems Paul's campaign should have known better than to put someone up there in uniform. It's one thing to have a soldier support your campaign off duty and out of uniform, but it's not OK when they are in uniform representing the US Military. The Military does not endorse. He should have known better, but maybe he didn't, and he got caught up in a moment of passion. Far worse intentional misconduct sometimes gets just a slap on the wrist. I don't think this was intentional misconduct. I wish Paul's campaign would appoligize for putting him (a uniform soldier) in the spot light, and I say this as a Ron Paul Supporter. He was approached by the media and the campaign, he did not seek them. </div></div>

He deserved exactly what he got. It's on him to follow the UCMJ and to act in an ethical manner that represents our military with honor and professionalism. We don't mix politics with military duty but that's not even what this is about. He was up there in the limelight for his 15 minutes of fame and he was abusing his status as a member of the military to get that 15 minutes. He used the uniform for his own egotistical needs, nothing more, nothing less.

Not much better than those idiots who are not even in the military that wear the uniform in public to receive attention. I have little patience for attention-seekers such as this example. </div></div>

Now that I think about it, I can see your point. It was stupid.

 

[maxpower220]

Re: Soldier Reprimanded for Participating In Politics

I'm not sure how boot camp is now, but when I arrived it was late, I was tired, and the instuction didn't let up. In the first few days, I remember some UCMJ instruction. Later, I recall having classroom lectures about the UCMJ. I couldn't tell you what the specific topic was, but something was covered and I was probably tested on it.

In OCS, we covered the UCMJ in classroom surroundings. I do remember going over political issues at that point.

Out of the countless E-4 and below that I have worked with, most are more interested in the iPod, the new Nike shoes that came out, and the XBox/PS3. Having someone sign up to actually vote was a major event. So, don't worry that countless troops are being surpressed by "the man". There is a nutball every so often.

 

[ZLBubba]

Re: Soldier Reprimanded for Participating In Politics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NorthernBorn</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZLBubba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
"No one is more professional than I." I'm glad this dude pulled the shenanigan before he got his stripes. Minimal damage control required. </div></div>

"No one is more professional than I" is actually from the NCO's Creed and being a Reservist E4 I doubt he even knows that line.

A Soldier's place is on the battlefield. Not in the political arena. That's all there is to it. If they let him off easy for doing this it would lead to a hell of a lot more doing it. There is no room for the polarizing effect of politics in ANY unit in ANY branch of the United States Military. </div></div>

Any Army E-4, even a reservist, that wishes to go beyond the Sham Shield should know the NCO's Creed, and should aspire to its principles.

 

[NorthernBorn]

Re: Soldier Reprimanded for Participating In Politics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZLBubba</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NorthernBorn</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZLBubba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
"No one is more professional than I." I'm glad this dude pulled the shenanigan before he got his stripes. Minimal damage control required. </div></div>

"No one is more professional than I" is actually from the NCO's Creed and being a Reservist E4 I doubt he even knows that line.

A Soldier's place is on the battlefield. Not in the political arena. That's all there is to it. If they let him off easy for doing this it would lead to a hell of a lot more doing it. There is no room for the polarizing effect of politics in ANY unit in ANY branch of the United States Military. </div></div>

Any Army E-4, even a reservist, that wishes to go beyond the Sham Shield should know the NCO's Creed, and should aspire to its principles. </div></div>

Should is the key word there. There are a LOT of NCOs in my unit specifically that can't even recite The Soldier's Creed none the less the NCO creed. That's also why DA is starting the NCO Evaluation Boards and cutting tons of "stagnated" non-coms. It's a shame what things have come to.