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Joint Chief of Staff memo

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oklawall:
I have never seen the JCS get involved in politics. They could have written this so much better and not taken sides. I don't agree with the violence at the Capital but I also don't agree with this letter or the Base commander on this. The military is none political.

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Flyin6:
That letter should never have been published

Steve, you're correct it is political. Our country is not the same, something fundamental to our nature has changed

cj7ox:
I don't think the intent of the letter was political. The letter was sent as a reminder to the force that we serve to support and defend the Constitution. This is something that, unfortunately, needed to happen because of the growing number of Servicemen/women who are engaging in direct (and often vulgar) criticism of senior military and civilian leadership on social media. There was also an active duty officer who organized and led a group of Soldiers to participate in the demonstration on 06JAN. There were also a number of reserve component service members present at that event. It is unclear as to whether or not any of them were involved in the rioting, but that is under investigation. In my opinion, we (current leaders in the armed forces) have failed to properly educate young service members on the fact that we DO NOT have the same rights to freedom of expression as our civilian brother and sisters. We are held to a higher standard. We can engage in politics, but MUST appear apolitical to the public while still serving. No matter who is elected as President, no matter whether we agree with their politics, he/she is still our Commander in Chief. We are obligated to follow all lawful orders. That is why this letter, and one from the Chief of Staff from the individual services as issued.

Flyin6:

--- Quote from: cj7ox on January 13, 2021, 03:08:18 PM ---I don't think the intent of the letter was political. The letter was sent as a reminder to the force that we serve to support and defend the Constitution. This is something that, unfortunately, needed to happen because of the growing number of Servicemen/women who are engaging in direct (and often vulgar) criticism of senior military and civilian leadership on social media. There was also an active duty officer who organized and led a group of Soldiers to participate in the demonstration on 06JAN. There were also a number of reserve component service members present at that event. It is unclear as to whether or not any of them were involved in the rioting, but that is under investigation. In my opinion, we (current leaders in the armed forces) have failed to properly educate young service members on the fact that we DO NOT have the same rights to freedom of expression as our civilian brother and sisters. We are held to a higher standard. We can engage in politics, but MUST appear apolitical to the public while still serving. No matter who is elected as President, no matter whether we agree with their politics, he/she is still our Commander in Chief. We are obligated to follow all lawful orders. That is why this letter, and one from the Chief of Staff from the individual services as issued.

--- End quote ---
Sean, Thanks for shedding light on this and clearing things up. I understand this very well.

Many moons ago, I sat in the Ft. Campbell Officers Club at one of those mandatory things, which was called for by the CG, 101st Airborne Division. He told us more or less the same thing. I got to chat with him a bit later. I said, "Roger that" but aired some of my frustration with the current CIC. He told me that we cannot lower ourselves to the standards our civilian authority seem to hold, and that we are better than that.

Indeed, we are better than that. Anyone serving should be a country mile away from this stuff, it is for the people to exercise their rights. Only way a soldier needs to be near a political riot is if has been ordered to be there.

oklawall:
Sean, I agree with what you said but in the past from what I remember before each election cycle begain someone was passing or sending out the regulations/instructions of what a military or civilian employee could/ couldn't do. Still being a civilian employee I didn't see any of that. I also feel that the JCS could have found someone that could have written the letter better. I very well could be wrong but when I read that I feel they are trying to divide the military into democrats and republicans in place of proud military and civilian.

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