U.S. Army Private Criticizes Commander-in-Chief

Oxford Town (Oxford Eagle) | April 30, 2003 | Self

[Spook86]

A U.S. Army Private from Mississippi has publicly criticized President Bush for his handling of military action in Afghanistan and Iraq, a move that could land her in hot water with her superiors.

Private Sarah Freeland, 22, a native of Oxford, said she "loathes" the President's decision to go to war against Saddam Hussein. In an interview pushlished in her hometown newspaper, the Oxford Eagle, Freeland rebuked the President for failing to gain UN approval for the war.

"The United Nations should have handled this," Freeland told the paper. "It's not our business taking it into our how hands." According to free-lance reporter Camille Comer, who wrote the article for the Eagle's entertainment section, Freeland identifies herself as "a liberal Democrat who hates Bush and his politics."

Freeland is an Army communications specialist, currently assigned to Fort Drum, NY. Her duties include operating and maintaining mobile communications systems. Private Freeland was interviewed while on leave from her military post.

Freeland's critical comments are considered highly unusual, given her junior rank and the military's prohibition on criticizing superior officers, including the Commander-in-Chief. During the Clinton Administration, at least two high-ranking officers were fired for making less-than-flattering remarks about the President. In both cases, those comments were made in private gatherings, not a press interview.

It remains unclear whether Freeland will be punished for her criticism of President Bush. A spokesman for the Fort Drum public affairs office said she had not seen the article, which was published last Thursday.

A check of the newspaper's web site revealed that the weekly entertainment section, "Oxford Town," is not available on-line. However, the print version of the article filled an entire page, with a photograph of a soldier identifed as Freeland in the center.

Freeland told the interviewer that she joined the Army in 2001 because "I thought four years of maturity and discipline would be a good thing." She entered the military after dropping out of the University of Mississippi because "I was too into partying. I couldn't hold down a job or make myself go to class."

Private Freeland, who is engaged to another Fort Drum soldier, said she is worried about Mr. Bush angering so many countries and failing to deliver on promises of assistance.

"In Afghanistan, we promised to set up something better, but these people are starving with no medical care. We promised the same thing to Iraq, but we haven't delivered in Afghanistan yet."

Despite her disagreement with Bush Administration policies, Freeland admitted that her political beliefs are irrelevant to her role as a soldier.

"No matter what moronic things Bush does or how much I don't agree, he's my commander-in-chief, and I'll go," she said.

[Spook86]

No, I'm not making this up. I was visiting in the Oxford area last week, and a friend showed me the article. Unfortunately, I don't have access to a scanner, and the section of the paper it appeared in is not web-posted. However, you can contact the Oxford Eagle to confirm its publication (662) 234-4331 or at oxfordtown@oxfordeagle.com. The editor of that section of the paper is Rebecca Lauck Cleary. Unfortunately, I don't have contact info for the free-lancer who conducted the interview and wrote the article. I did fax a copy to the Fort Drum public affairs office.

In the words of another Army alum, Sergeant Forrest Gump, "stupid is as stupid does." Something tells me Private Freeland is about to get a quick lesson in proper military conduct....

[annyokie]

Private Freeland is in a heap of trouble. What an ironic last name for her to have, too!

[wideawake]

She's trying to get out of the army, and this is her way of doing it. That's all.

Nowadays you generally need to commit a crime to get dishonorably discharged - this is a good way to get one without opening yourself to criminal penalties.

[lady lawyer]

Why does it not surprise me that this is a stupid broad. She probably joined the military to make some kind of a point, not because she is a patriot.

[borisbob69]

Freeland told the interviewer that she joined the Army in 2001 because "I thought four years of maturity and discipline would be a good thing." She entered the military after dropping out of the University of Mississippi because "I was too into partying. I couldn't hold down a job or make myself go to class."

Hmmmmmmm this one possibly needs more than 4 years. Oh yeah, excellent qualifications for criticizing not only the President but his entire staff and the military leadership of the Defense Department. What a maroon!

[sinkspur]

"I thought four years of maturity and discipline would be a good thing."

Looks like you might need eight.

That, or your first boss will bust your smart-ass chops.

[Blue Screen of Death]

Let's see... she joined the Army in 2001 and has skyrocketed to the lofty rank of Private. Bush needs to listen to this soldier.

[pbear8]

Let's have her patrol Tikrit by herself.

[Question_Assumptions]

I think the problem is that she went to college first -- just long enough, apparently, to be indoctrinated.

[Hodar]

Article 88 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice

Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

Note: While only commissioned officers can be charged under this article, DOD Directive 1344.10 - POLITICAL ACTIVITIES BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES ON ACTIVE DUTY, extend these same requirements to all individuals on active duty. Enlisted members and warrant officers who violate these provisions can be charged under Article 92 of the UCMJ, Failure to Obey an Order or Regulation. Next Article > Article 89—Disrespect toward a

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/mcm/bl88.htm

[CyberAnt]

Well ... if her opinions are not important ... WHY DIDN'T SHE KEEP THEM TO HERSELF ...??

[tiki]

We don't need her in the military. She should get a dishonorable discharge. It is one thing for a civilian to speak their mind but in the military you serve the Commander-in-Cheif and you ask no questions and offer no complaint.

[Arius]

If I remember right a memeo had to go out to stop all the Clinton bashing in the military. She will get a pass.

[CheneyChick]

LOL! There were eight years (1992-2000) I couldn't/wouldn't re-enlist because of the CIC....

[Blood of Tyrants]

Well, they can't bust her to a lower rank.

[Sender]

"a liberal Democrat who hates Bush and his politics"

Well there you go. She should go back to partying and skipping class. And she will soon, I'll bet.

[butter pecan fan]

I think you're right.

[RetiredArmy]

First, she is a fool. Second, she is a big fool. This is not free speech. This is against her commander in chief. You cannot speak about your superior this way. She will pay a heavy price if this is true. Disrespect to the commander in chief is a court-martial offense. Her military career is over. She will never be anything but a private.

Third, this shows you how far the left has to reach to find someone in the military to speak out against Bush. First, arm chair generals, who are even refuted by the commander in the 3d Inf Div where I read yesterday said they did not know what they were talking about and did not have faith in the military if they believed what they said, and now they drop down to what a lowly private has to say. Who gives a rat's tahoot what a private has to say. She can shutup and get back in formation, rather pack her bags for she is gone. Stupid.

[Williams]

This private's remarks and the largely uncirculated news story are hardly newsworthy. I could care less if she is disciplined or not. This was a small town interview more about why she was in the service. hardly worthy of a Congressional investigation. She did say her views were irrelevant to her duties. I put this one in the free speech column (Yes I know she is governed by military code and has no such right and I know if all soldiers said this .... But come on this entire story is a big nothingburger).

[green team 1999]

Freeland identifies herself as "a liberal Democrat who hates Bush and his politics."

aaahh,so this really is not about the war,the UN,but
the politics of personal destruction.