Um, isn't this a major no-no?

[brooklynite]

Wearing your military uniform at a political event?

[A-Schwarzenegger]

1. Same thought here.

[Joe the Revelator]

2. I was about to post the exact same thing.

[RandySF]

3. That's what I thought.

Is he active duty?

[joshcryer]

8. Applies even to reserves apparently.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

4. Yes. Isn't that not permitted?

[itsrobert]

5. And speaking; even worse

This Soldier is not going to have a good day.

[joshcryer]

6. Interesting catch, didn't know that, here's the page:

http://www.ig.navy.mil/complaints/Complaints%20%20(Political%20Activities%20of%20Military%20Members).htm

[FarLeftFist]

7. Is Paul just going to keep saying the word Liberty or is he going to talk about jobs and the economy

EVER?

[DevonRex]

9. Against the law. Period. Nt

[elleng]

10. Yes. Who did it?

[Ruby the Liberal]

13. Guy speaking at the Ron Paul post caucus remarks

Unless Op is talking about someone else.

[neverforget]

11. I found this

http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134410p.pdf

4.1.1. A member of the Armed Forces on active duty may:

4.1.1.9. Attend partisan and nonpartisan political fundraising activities, meetings, rallies, debates, conventions, or activities as a spectator when not in uniform and when no inference or appearance of official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement can reasonably be drawn.

Upon further reading:
4.1.2. A member of the Armed Forces on active duty shall not:

4.1.2.5. Speak before a partisan political gathering, including any gathering that promotes a partisan political party, candidate, or cause.

[tanyev]

12. Context?

Por favor?

[A-Schwarzenegger]

15. An active duty member of the armed forces spoke at the Ron Paul rally

in uniform.

[tanyev]

18. Thank you.

[TheDebbieDee]

22. This is not allowed! Of course, I guess IOKIYAR!

And don't tell me about freedom of speech. When one is a member of the United States Armed Forces, one has no freedom of speech. Look it up.

Or any other freedoms, for that matter..............

[NavyDem]

14. You're not supposed to engage in political activities in uniform

What political activities are members of the Armed Forces permitted to do?

A member on active duty may:

Register, vote, and express a personal opinion on political candidates and issues, but not as a representative of the Armed Forces.

Promote and encourage other military members to exercise their voting franchise, if such promotion does not constitute an attempt to influence or interfere with the outcome of an election.

Join a political club and attend its meetings when not in uniform. See Directive 1334.1.

Serve as an election official, if such service is not as a representative of a partisan political party, does not interfere with military duties, is performed when not in uniform, and has the prior approval of the Secretary concerned or the Secretary's designee.

Sign a petition for specific legislative action or a petition to place a candidate's name on an official election ballot, if the signing does not obligate the member to engage in partisan political activity and is done as a private citizen and not as a representative of the Armed Forces.

Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing the member's personal views on public issues or political candidates, if such action is not part of an organized letter-writing campaign or a solicitation of votes for or against a political party or partisan political cause or candidate.

Make monetary contributions to a political organization, party, or committee favoring a particular candidate or slate of candidates, subject to the limitations under 2 U.S.C. 441a, 18 U.S.C. 607 and other applicable law.

Display a political sticker on the member's private vehicle.

Attend partisan and nonpartisan political meetings or rallies as a spectator when not in uniform.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: http://www.ig.navy.mil/complaints/Complaints%20%20(Political%20Activities%20of%20Military%20Members).htm

[JohnnyLib2]

16. Kamikaze move?

It may get more attention on Paul, though?

[joshcryer]

19. Probably. Ron Paul would champion how "wrong" it is.

Liberals would back Ron Paul despite that junta rule is something we as a country shouldn't aspire to (which is why the rules exist).

[JI7]

17. i kind of felt happy for him, you can tell he was excited to meet Ron Paul

he kind of looked like a kid meeting their favorite sports or rock star.

[neverforget]

20. Yeah but he should've been in civies.

[MADem]

21. Yes, yes, and more yes. An absolute BOZO NO NO.

Military personnel are not supposed to lend their uniformed presence to any partisan political process in any way that suggests an endorsement of a particular political candidate.

An exception is frequently made for, say, a color guard posting the colors at a convention or something of that nature, but a person, in a uniform, advocating for or cheering on a candidate? Hell to the no!

It's also very craven, IMO, when a reservist politician does something sleazy like go on a fact finding tour as an elected official (cough ScottBrown cough) and then change into his uniform when he gets to where he's going, like, say, Afghanistan, (cough ScottBrown cough) so he can have some pretty campaign pics taken.

[Historic NY]

23. Yes it is.......he is active duty..........

Last edited Wed Jan 4, 2012, 01:06 AM - Edit history (2)

Personnel, including reserve forces, are prohibited from wearing military uniforms at political campaign or election events. Attendance at rallies, meetings and conventions as a spectator and not in uniform is allowed.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/soldier-throws-his-support-behind-ron-paul/2012/01/03/gIQAB0lTZP_video.html

Cpl. Jesse Thorsen??

http://www.politicalforum.com/current-events/225164-cnn-cuts-off-soldier-who-voted-paul-spoke-out-against-more-war.html

Soldier in Uniform Campaigns on National TV for GOP Presidential Candidate Rep. Ron Paul
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2828380/posts

even the freeps think he is toasted.......

[Thegonagle]

24. What if he's no longer active? Is he allowed to wear his work or dress uniform then?

[baldguy]

25. As always - IOKIYAR

[FrenchieCat]

26. If the soldier hates war so much.....

to this extent...perhaps, he shouldn't have volunteer. It's not like he got drafted.
Plus them is Republican wars he was dissing, while supporting someone from the
Republican party. Irony all around!