Posted on 12/04/2015 9:24:23 AM PST by Fundamentally Fair
A Marine who recently performed the national anthem at a Donald Trump presidential campaign rally has been told to cease further uniformed campaign activities.
Cpl. Jason Perkins, a reservist with Combat Logistics Battalion 451 out of Charlotte, North Carolina, awed crowds at a Nov. 21 campaign rally for the Republican candidate in Birmingham, Alabama, with a booming rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner," which he performed in his dress blue uniform.
But when a video of the performance began circulating online, members of the military quickly pointed out that he was in violation of regulations prohibiting troops from wearing their uniforms to political events.
Marine Forces Reserve spokesman Capt. Andrew Chrestman said the command had reached out to Perkins after his campaign performance.
(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...
Department of Defense regulations prohibit uniformed members of the armed forces from engaging in partisan political activities that "imply or appear to imply official sponsorship, approval or endorsement" of a candidate. Military personnel are allowed to take part in most political activities as long as they do not do so in uniform or as an official representative of the military, the Pentagon policy states.
But when Obama let UNIFORMED service members march in a gay “pride” parade ...
PING....
“Military personnel are allowed to take part in most political activities as long as they do not do so in uniform or as an official representative of the military, the Pentagon policy states”
My understanding was that active duty personnel were forbidden to become party officials, i.e., delegates, precinct chairs, etc.
I’ve long been of the opinion that the same restriction should apply to all government employees.
Believe it is the Hatch Act that covers this.
KYPD
Military in uniform are not to take part in politics. Obvious reasons. But they work for their government paycheck They can vote. Their absentee ballots regularly get confiscated by democrats in general election. Same outrage should apply to that. More.
Reason should apply also to anyone depending on government for their income. Anyone receiving food stamps or welfare should not be allowed to vote.
But marching in a gay parade in uniform is AOK from the DoD
As a matter of fact, the Hatch Act has been amended to cut out a lot of partisan political activity. Of course the severity of the punishment for violation will be determined on a case by case basis.
1344.10 specifically applies to active duty service members - this guy is a reservist.
In fact, the reason this guy is still a corporal is that the UCMJ does not apply to reservists when not in drill status: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/punitivearticles/a/ucmjsubject.htm
A lot of people (especially active duty people) don’t realize this. As a former reservist myself, I made sure I knew the rules.
The only thing this guy actually did wrong that I can tell is wear his dress blue alphas, he should have been wearing his bravos.
:: Military in uniform are not to take part in politic ::
Singing the National Anthem is “engaging in politics”? Whoda thunk.
If he was active-duty and sung the National Anthem in his street clothes, he’d be looking at the same CO and explaining his dereliction.
No one watching him sing the National Anthem is going to assume he is an official representative of the Marines or US Military.
I don’t intend to argue the point brake it up with UCMJ
I will say this. The military itself is not a democratic system. Nor is the Catholic Church, for that matter. Being on government subsidies for income should preclude some rights as well. For the same reasons.
It’s just the way I see it. I’m not arguing
I agree. As Marine’s we have to live up to a higher standard.
:: If he was active-duty and sung the National Anthem in his street clothes, he’d be looking at the same CO and explaining his dereliction ::
Please look at this and understand that I am intimately familiar with the scenario I proffer.
If you’re so familiar then look it up in a different section of UCMJ. Military members have the right to vote and they certainly have the right to work for politics after getting out of the military but while on active duty no
I’ll just say not for argument just as observation, the military enjoys protection with this rule
Anyone accusing the military for working for one CIC or another is wrong. It’s not a private mercenary group for anyone
Some things are worth getting in trouble for
1344.10 specifically applies to active duty service members - this guy is a reservist.
The beauty of FR is that we have lots of experts that can weight in.
jagusafr is an Air Force Reserve judge advocate…
Sir? Does 1344.10 apply? If not, what does?
Ping to see the answer. I’m betting that when he puts on the uniform UCMJ applies regardless of drill status.
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