PA GOP: SESTAK'S GOT NO R-E-S-P-E-C-T FOR UNIFORM

http://www.pagop.org/News/Read.aspx?ID=1511 ^ | 7 21 06 | pagop.org

[freepatriot32]

Violates Military Uniform Code by wearing uniform while campaigning,

Wears officer's uniform that does not match rank at which he retired

HARRISBURG - Republican State Committee Executive Director Scott Migli today questioned Joe Sestak, Democratic candidate in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, for his repeated violations of federal law and U.S. Navy regulations as it relates to appropriate conduct for the wearing of military uniforms. Those violations include wearing his uniform while engaged in campaign activities and wearing a uniform that displays a rank above what the grade at which he retired from service.

"Joe Sestak's improper use of the military uniform for partisan campaign activities demonstrates a lack of respect for the uniform," said Migli. "You would never catch a veteran like Senator John McCain, or even Senator John Kerry for that matter, wearing their military uniform while on the campaign trail or inflating the rank at which they retired. The fact that Joe Sestak would stoop this low shows how desperate he is for attention."

Title 10, Subtitle A, Part 2 Chapter 45 Section 772 specifically states that retired military officers are only permitted to "bear the title and wear the uniform of his retired grade." Although he retired at the grade of a two star admiral, candidate Sestak has been photographed in the district wearing the uniform of a three star admiral, a clear violation of federal law. (Photograph available upon request).

Sestak, after declaring his candidacy has also worn his Navy uniform to various campaign events, including a parade in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania that he took part in and distributed campaign materials at, in support of his candidacy. Chapter 6, Section 10, Article 61002 of the United States Navy Uniform Regulations specifically states that "Retired personnel are prohibited from wearing the uniform in connection with personal enterprises, business activities, or while attending or participating in any demonstration, assembly or activity for the purpose of furthering personal or partisan views on political, social, economic, or religious issues."

"The only reason Joe Sestak took part in that parade is because he is an announced candidate and he was there in an attempt to attract votes," said Migli. "There is no excuse for that type of behavior. Everyone who has ever served in the military knows that there are very specific rules related to conduct that is appropriate in a military uniform. You wear the uniform of the rank at which you retired. You don't smoke or drink while in public in uniform. And you don't campaign while in uniform. Joe Sestak has demonstrated a complete lack of respect for these rules and the uniform itself."

[bmwcyle]

PA use to not have so many Lib when I was younger.

[Hegemony Cricket]

Would be nice to see a UCMJ smackdown on these violations...

[kjo]

Democrats have become associated in the public mind with international isolationism, and a cut and run approach to the middle east.

Apparently some in the party are desperate to show that they are some how different.

[JimRed]

You don't smoke or drink while in public in uniform.

That must only apply to retirees, or lots of active duty servicemen don't obey that regulation.

[boxerblues]

My sons never drink or smoke while in Class A's...DCU's are another story altogether

[reagan_fanatic]

"I didn't do it!"

[EQAndyBuzz]

"My sons never drink or smoke while in Class A's...DCU's are another story altogether."

My sons never drink or smoke while in Class A's...

Sorry, gratuitous Airplane reference. :)

[meandog]

"Joe Sestak's improper use of the military uniform for partisan campaign activities demonstrates a lack of respect for the uniform," said Migli. "You would never catch a veteran like ... Senator John Kerry for that matter, wearing their military uniform while on the campaign trail or inflating the rank at which they retired.

Really?

[TankerKC]

You don't smoke or drink while in public in uniform.

Better tell that to all of the folks in the smoking areas here in around the building.

Better yet, run by my office after 17:00 on Friday and you can bust a bunch of us. ;)

Whoever wrote this had no first-hand knowledge of the military.

[mbynack]

Military personnel can retire at a rank below the rank in which they served. I believe that General Officer promotions are considered temporary. I was promoted to E-8 and had to stay in the AF for an additional two years in order to retire at that rank. It's called an active duty service commitment. His wearing the 3 star rank could have been an oversight.

One of the things that is pounded into the military is when it is appropriate and when it is inappropriate to wear the uniform. Once you retire you can only wear it for special ceremonies, like a military funeral, Memorial Day, or Independence Day. Even active duty members are prohibited from wearing a uniform at partisan political events.

[mortal19440]

Don't be surprised by anything this "Perfumed Prince" does. He was a jerk on active duty and it doesn't appear that he has changed since retirement. This is why the current CNO showed him the door.

[Mathews]

I served in the last battle group Admiral Sestak commanded. Actually had lunch with the guy on two occasions. I wouldn't vote for him.

[TankerKC]

Even active duty members are prohibited from wearing a uniform at partisan political events.

Right. But, I thought a retired person could where it any other time they liked...as long as they wear it properly. I wasn't aware of restricitons.

No worries, though...I just started a three year clock due to a promotion in July.

[TankerKC]

I stand corrected. The AFI says that retirees may where the uniform:

at occasions of military ceremonies, military funerals, weddings, memorial services, and inaugurals
patriotic parades on national holidays, other military parades or ceremonies in which any active or Reserve US military unit is taking part

at educational institutions when engaged in giving military instructions or responsible for military discipline

at social or other functions when the invitation has been influenced by the member's active military service

[TankerKC]

Additionally, the Air Force Instruction says to NOT wear the uniform when, "furthering political activities, private employment,or commercial interests."

I assume the Navy rules are similar.

[philsfan24]

this guy is a long shot to beat weldon

[vetvetdoug]

Do you remember the Uniform code of the USAF that required us to wear our dress blues (Class A's) every June 6th? It goes unheeded but it was there. My Colonel was a stickler about that reg.

[mbynack]

Thanks for the research. I was pulling the info from a part of my brain that hadn't been used in almost ten years.

[meandog]

I served in the last battle group Admiral Sestak commanded. Actually had lunch with the guy on two occasions. I wouldn't vote for him.

I see the admiral was a SWO but note only one real command at sea in his bio; he was given his star, apparently, for shining Clinton's shoes while on WH duty...it's little wonder that he chose the dark side of politics, a real combat Sailor would have nothing in common with him.