Is it true if you are in the military you cannot talk bad about the president?

Question

If yes, why? I mean I understand it is a matter of respect but do they lose their freedom of speech when they join? You can respect someone and not agree with them 100% of the time

OK I understand the whole thing about the president being the boss and please don't misunderstand me I stand behind our President, but if I disagreed with my boss I would like to think I could express that to him and if done correctly not lose my job. Sorry if I offended anyone I was just curious

Answer 1

The UCMJ states:

ART. 88. CONTEMPT TOWARD OFFICIALS
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.

Even retired officers are subject to this article, however recently it has not been enforced, as we have seen several retired Generals on TV openly attack the President's policies. Even though they are retired, they still can be recalled to active duty as they are still commissioned. Only way around that is for them to resign their commission. Until then, they are subject to the UCMJ.

As far an Enlisted personnel, its not a crime, but there are other things to consider such as "Action unbecoming" and of the sort.

Either way, it is not in your best interst to openly disrespect your superiors, no matter who they are.

Answer 2

Yes, it is true.
If you look at any of my answers on here regarding the Military, you would see that I very much support both the Armed Forces and the President. But the Military members not being allowed to express their negative feelings about our Government officials has always bothered me. It just seems weird that the very thing our men and women in the military fight for to keep us free, (And part of that freedom is freedom of speech ) they themselves aren't allowed to do. I could understand them having a policy not to talk bad about our Government if they are in another country, but I think otherwise they should have the same freedom as the rest of us have. Of course at home my husband (He's in the Navy ) and I will talk politics and Government, but he would never say anything negative outside our home.

Answer 3

I agree with whomever said that even civilians can't talk badly about their boss. But talking bad about the president so openly is a fairly new concept. As a rule, Americans have never totally eviscerated their leaders, whether they agreed with them or not, until the past 50 years. If you ask me, the first sign of a sinking ship is a mutinous crew. History dictates that when the people lose respect for their leader, havoc ensues. Perhaps we should take a lesson from that and at least show a little respect for he who leads our nation, whether we agree with his methods or not. We are, after all, the "United" States, right?

Answer 4

Publicly, no. That would be a court-martial offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Part of being in the military involves, in effect, the giving up of some rights that civilians have. It's right in the standard enlistment contract. (I know; I signed one once)
Privately, the service member can believe or say anything he/she wants. He/she may also vote in elections, and they could vote against their current President if they chose to do so.

Answer 5

You Lose All Rights As You Know Them,UCMJ Becomes Your New Laws,You Can Say What You Want,But You Do Not Have The Same Laws As Civilians,It Would Not Work

Answer 6

The President is your president. To the military member it is their president and their Commander in Chief. In other words, their boss. You can vote anyway you wish, but its best to keep your views a little quiet. The military folks truly do like this president though. I know there was extreme heartburn over Clinton.

Answer 7

You can talk bad about the president as much as you want in the military in the privacy of your own home. When a person enlist they swear or affirm to follow the oreders of the president and all officers appointed over them. You also would want to watch who you say it too, you never know who might be listening and go turn you in. You can't threaten the president at all, military or civ.

Answer 8

You are correct. In the Military the President is like the highest rank person. So the soldiers have to obey his orders and never put him down in public.

Answer 9

YES!!!President George W. Bush is your Commander in Chief
if you want your military life to be okay, you'd better keep your opinions to yourself, you can be court martialed and sent to a
not so nice place called Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, better known as the utmost in military prisons.

Answer 10

Military personel do not enjoy the same luxeries of "free speech" as civilians do. In theory, they are "able to", but once inlisted, the President is their superior; their boss.