Doesn’t make any difference. Just been at a political rally in uniform is prohibited. I don’t know the circumstances behind Algore’s use of a color guard at the DNC, but if it was at an event supporting the DNC, then that is prohibited. Football games are OK, since they aren’t political rallies.
Sorry for the double posts.
If they are there as a military detail to post the colors, then they are NOT there to show support of a political rally.... it is a detail for the sole purpose of postng the colors.
Now, the commander can certainly determine whether or not he wants to support this event. Evidently, the JROTC commander felt it would be in keeping with military cutoms to support the DNC.
This JROTC commander made the call that for the Tea Party rally, it would not be in keeping with custom (probably because of the negative media attention).
I could go either way on the issue. So long as they are just being used to post the colors, not a problem. If they are going to be props (for any faction) then I take issue with it. The problem lies of where to draw the line..... ie a GLBT requesting JROTC color guard.
The RNC also uses a military color guard......
http://www.worthcountyrepublicans.com/HTM_FOLDERS/2008%20National%20Convention.htm
The 934th Airlift Wing Air Force Reserves Joint Color Guard of Minn
I imagine so long as they post the colors at the RNC and DNC favoritism or actual support cannot be claimed.
I would not see a problem with the request of Reserve Unit, JROTC, VFW, Police/Fire from a local area to post colors for events.... so long as the events were determined to be in keeping with good order and discipline and available equally. IE, Dem rallies, Repub rallies as ostensibly these are civic functions.
Gay rallies, KKK, Black Panthers, etc are not in keeping with military custom and are specifically agenda driven; they should NOT be supported by the military/police/fire etc.
Mostly, it falls on the commander.