Posted on 04/06/2012 9:26:41 AM PDT by Mozilla
A US Marine faces possible dismissal after posting critical remarks on Facebook about US President Barack Obama, with a review board recommending a less than honorable discharge.
Sergeant Gary Stein (26) a nine-year veteran, posted comments on Facebook and other websites calling Obama a coward and "the economic and religious enemy," a Marine Corps board was told during an all-day hearing on Thursday.
Stein had urged Obama's defeat in the November election, writing "screw Obama" in one posting, and had founded a website called Armed Forces Tea Party, apparently in support of the ultra-conservative Tea Party movement.
On one site he sold bumper stickers reading "NOBAMA 2012."
The three-member board meeting at Camp Pendleton, a military base in southern California, announced its decision on Thursday. The final decision will be made by a commanding general.
Stein had no comment after the decision, but Mark Brewer, one of his civilian lawyers, said: "We're disappointed but we're going to keep fighting for this Marine."
During the hearing, Marine lawyers argued that Stein be booted over the remarks about Obama, who is the commander and chief of US armed forces.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.iafrica.com ...
First off, he’s not a soldier. He’s a Marine.
Enlisted military members aren’t fired, they’re discharged.
I enlisted in 1977, and even that farther back than that the policy was “thou shalt not speak ill of the commander in chief”.
It’s nothing new. He knew what the rules were, he broke them. What is new is that instead of grousing amongst ourselves (I served during Clinton...) we now have social media as a means of voicing our displeasure. He crossed the line.
Not making a right/wrong judgement here, it just is what it is.
You don’t have ‘rights’ in the military. Everyone knows that who has served.
Nevertheless, everything he said was true.
As a Marine, does he not have the obligation to protect the Constitution, even perhaps against attacks on it by the C-i-C?
“Not making a right/wrong judgement here, it just is what it is.”
I agree.
I was in from 77-81. They made it abundantly clear that while the USA was a democracy, the military was not. It was also made very clear, if you didn’t like those above you in rank, that would include the president, keep your pie hole shut about it.
The guy messed up, he’s going to pay.
I agree with you Sandy. I’m not a military man myself, but Article 88 pretty clearly enumerates this as being verboten.
My question to you is this: can a CO or even the President issue a pardon or modify the soldier’s discharge papers to show an honorable discharge?
Seems like something that a right-minded president might do. Obama, being a narcissist, likely wants this kid to be his Vince Foster.
Yes, we are losing our freedoms but a member of the military should know better than to criticize the president on Facebook. This said: I detest the bastard in our Whitehouse.
The oath is to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic... and to obey the orders of the President of the United States. (Interestingly, the officers’ oath does not include the line about obeying the orders of the President.)
If an illegal order had been issued and he refused to follow it, we would be having a different discussion. Badmouthing the commander in chief, especially after having been warned about it before, is prejudicial to good order and discipline and is a violation of the UCMJ.
Yes. He’s out.
I’ve yet to hear of anyone getting hired for something they posted on Facebook, but I’ve heard of quite a few getting fired because of it.
The recommendation of the admin discharge board is just that, a recommendation. The final decision rests with the Commanding General at MCRD, who could accept their recommendation or allow him to stay until his EAS in July. If he stays, it would allow him an honorable discharge with benefits.
My guess is he’ll go. He was warned, and didn’t heed the warning.
To the point.
"review board recommending a less than honorable discharge" That is just crap. How about an Administrative DC.
An Admin sep under honorable conditions seems better suited for this.
Heck, that AF General who called Clinton a "Draft dodging, dope smoking, womanizer... got to retire.
And he should have saved it for happy hour out in town with like-minded buddies. Not on social media for all to see.
Yes you are right. He shouldn’t be openly attacking the superior if he wants to stick around. There are rules to be obeys in the all the armed forces.
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