No free pass when it comes to politics

Lorin T. Smith/Northwest Guardian

An Army Reserve corporal is in a pickle because of a bad decision at a recent political event.

The Reservist spoke for five minutes after the Iowa caucuses, endorsing Ron Paul and encouraging others to support the Republican presidential candidate.

The problem was that the Soldier was in uniform.

Within minutes of the speech, active-duty servicemembers and veterans posted comments to news sites that he had violated the UCMJ for wearing his uniform while speaking at a political event.

When servicemembers wear their uniforms in front of audiences or TV cameras, those watching might construe that they speak on behalf of the Army or the military.

DOD Directive 1344.10 says a member of the Armed Forces shall not “speak before a partisan political gathering, including any gathering that promotes a partisan political party, candidate or cause.”

Though the corporal is in the Army Reserve, he wore his uniform and never clarified that he wasn’t on active duty. Regardless of duty status, servicemembers need to be very careful when participating in the election process in any way.

An article detailing conduct by servicemembers at political events is on Page 2. The biggies are to wear civilian clothes, attend on your own time and limit your media exposure. The corporal’s mistake could be personally costly.

While deployed to Iraq during the 2006 election season, I was attached to a National Guard unit politicians visited. It seemed to me to be an opportunity for the politicians to snag photos to post to campaign websites proving their support for Soldiers.

We knew these photos in uniform with politicians were OK because they were taken under official circumstances. Having the brigade commander and command sergeant major standing next to me for the photos alleviated my worries about violating the regulation, but for many servicemembers, political circumstances are often not so clear cut. JBLM Airmen and Soldiers who intend to participate in the Washington state caucuses need to remember the rules.

Just because a high-visibility politician is coming to town doesn’t require you to put on any uniform to meet or listen to the candidate.

Your exuberance to meet a favorite political figure could cost you some other favorites things — free time, money, promotion or even your job.

My advice if you’re uncertain: if you suspect attending a political event during the duty day might be a problem, it likely is a problem. Go in civilian clothes after the duty day. The idea is to avoid any appearance that you are acting as a representative of your service while taking part in political activities. If you have any doubt, ask your supervisor or someone in the chain of command about the situation.

Military members are prominent these days in the national discourse, and cameras will find uniforms. Servicemembers don’t get free passes for politics. Though they enjoy 1st Amendment rights, there are times and places to exercise free speech. When you are on your service’s time and in its uniform, you give up the right to speak out for or against candidates.

The corporal could be reprimanded and held up as this year’s election-cycle example. Taking pride in your service and wearing your uniform as the symbol of its honor and traditions is understandable. Just don’t do it at a partisan political event on national TV.