Should soldiers speak out about this war?

Question

Ive seen many post that call it unsoldierly, or cowardice when they see soldiers that speak out about the war.
Then why join the military? they say.

Well, if you joined the military, havent you earned the right to say whatever you want about this government.
Heck, you were on the front lines defending to uphold our freedom of speech.

why dont people understand that?

I know Ive earned the right to say whatever I want about this governemnt, if I was willing to die for my country
HOW DARE ANYONE TRY TO TAKE THE RIGHT AWAY FROM ME OR ANY OTHER SOLDIER!!!!

Until you served your country -- you havent earned the right to question a soldiers freedom of speech!!!

FYI - Im out of the military. Ive done my time.
and if I was in,my only concer is getting back with the guy on my left and on my right.

But once I come back, I have earned the right to say anything I want about my service and about my country?

I love this country, I have lost all confidence in our current leaders, and I owe it to the soldiers now in harms way to speak up on their behalf -- before more of their lives are wasted!

Answer 1

Like you, I'm a vet. But I've got mixed feelings about GI's speaking out against the war in Iraq. I do believe strongly that we should get the hell outta there ASAP, but for service people to say the same thing publicly bothers me somewhat. They, as you point out, have every right to do so, but I wonder how much Al Qaeda is encouraged by seeing their 'enemy' criticizing the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Also, what effect does it have on the morale of American GI's?

Dunno -- I'm kinda sittin' on the fence on this one.

Answer 2

When you join the Military, you give up the right to have an opinion. It's not up to you to decide right or wrong. You have a job to do. GET IT DONE.
I Don't think too many soldiers are against this war. I know several soldiers. The media only shows the ones that have an opinion that fits their agenda.

As for speaking for your buddies. You should stop. Speak for yourself.


Somebody call the WAAAAmbulance. PU$$y


Semper Fi

Answer 3

Since 1864 in the state of Colorado, at the "battle" that became known as the "Sand Creek" massacre. The military realized that a soldier, mostly any officer had the obligation to "speak out".

failure to "speak out' cause the Iraq prisoner scandal and what we see at Walter Reed.

To date this war has had few instances of any officer stating or saying anything. But hey, we still have time and who knows/

By the last years of Vietnam, many Army officers (not forgetting the troops) had "had enough", we may get there yet.

Soldiers are just people: not always able to predict the future, the outcome but the system they serve in is not that good at understanding.

As more Iraq vets start speaking, the more the country will learn: but the "voice" has been not very loud.

I hope more Iraq vets voice what they want to say to all.

Answer 4

as long as you are in the military, you shut up and do what your told. If you want to speak out after your service fine. But dont say your against the war and then go out into battle. Maybe you will have second thoughts then about shooting the enemy and then the guy next to you gets killed.

You do NOT have the right to freedom of speech while you are in service. The military is a dictatorship, not a democracy. You dont express your opinions unless you are asked. You got that grunt!?!

Civilians get freedom of speech, Soldiers don't. Not until they are rotated back into civilian life. If you dont like it, dont join the military.

Answer 5

I think you definately earned the right to say what you want. But unlike some soldiers you did your time, and you finished your mission.
There is nothing cowardly about doing your job, and if you don't like what your superiors are doing, you have the right to say so, but also understanding that nothing may change.
There is a fine line between doing that, and just complaining and not doing anything to change it.
Thank you for your service, by the way.

Answer 6

Since you're out, you can publicly say whatever you choose.

However, remember that oath? That's where it gets sticky for those soldiers who are still in.

"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

Answer 7

"Well, if you joined the military, havent you earned the right to say whatever you want about this government."

Actually it's quite the opposite. As an *ENLISTED* soldier you sign a contract to basically do whatever the government tells you to, failure to do so WILL get you into serious trouble if you are wrong. Congress declared the Iraq War is not illegal, so these soldiers that protest deployment to Iraq have no case (and hope) whatsoever.

Answer 8

When you sign the dotted line for military service, you are giving your life to the duty that is assigned to you.
To me, that is a precious gift of men and women.
I have served and did my duty.
I do question the thought that a soldier should speak out about the duty ahead of them because it puts fellow soldiers' lives in danger. Fear is not becoming of victory or feed the chance of survival.
As it was once said, "dam n the torpedo's, full steam ahead."
Don't give up the ship yet fellows.
God speed.

Answer 9

squaddies have earned the appropriate to declare what they think of and experience. regrettably the officer corp with their syncophantic and egocentric outlook would quite that squaddies didnt , particulaly if it probable to impact that officers promotional potentialities and their careers. In Nam journalists went quickly as much as squaddies interior the sphere and asked their opinion...the subject became into the squaddies gave it. This made the administration and the officers look like incompetants and idiots. ( so what if it became into authentic). Ever ask your self why US squaddies fragged their own officers? because of the fact the Gulf war the "militia " doesnt like the media because it has a tendancy to show the militia management in its authentic gentle and ever on condition that then the squaddies have been banned from speaking to the media. apparently the commanding officer of the unit that became into recent on the fact of sending 20,000 greater squaddies to Iraq had banned all his squaddies from voicing their loose speech i.e speaking to the media ( the very element they're being asked to die for by using the way). So, whilst George Bush addressed them their reaction became into the biggest teach of public contempt for any chief I even have ever seen. They suggested greater by using their unenthusiasm and their disinterest than they'd of in the event that they had to verbalise their thoughts. squaddies are human and carry values and standards that even their officers and militia regulation cant touch, it particularly is on the tip of the day they have earnt the appropriate to declare what they experience ...and for that I salute them.

Answer 10

They don't speak out; as long as they are in service; because the President is their Commander-in-Chief ( better known as THEIR BOSS ) and they are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

If you spoke out against your boss where you work; do you honestly expect to have a job when he finds out ???