Reservist at Paul rally may see legal woes: DoD

bruno

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The rules are pretty straight forward- military personnel in uniform don't mix with Political or politically themed/advocacy events.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2012/01/ap-reservist-at-ron-paul-rally-may-see-legal-woes-dod-010612/

DES MOINES, Iowa — An Army reservist who took the stage at a political event for Ron Paul and expressed his support for the Republican presidential candidate could face legal troubles, the military said Thursday.

Cpl. Jesse Thorsen, 28, stood at a podium at the Paul rally in Iowa on Tuesday night wearing his military fatigues and said meeting the Texas congressman was like "meeting a rock star."...
 
SOLDIER WHO ENDORSED RON PAUL IN IOWA
CPL JESSE THORSEN ARRESTED AT LEAST TWICE
IN FLORIDA BY SHERIFF - BURGLARY, VIOLATION
OF PAROLE AMONG CHARGES


Neck tattoo? :confused:

bilde
 
Many have heard me mention our (military member's) right to be politically active. Vocally and Physically. I have mentioned that the line gets crossed when you wear your uniform to such events; or when you directly relate the military or your role in the military to such events. This soldier definitely crossed the line.

Until I read the article linked above, I never really thought about anyone but the military member and their rights and responsibilities. The article brings up an equally important point. Not just anyone can walk up on stage during a rally, town hall meeting, debate, etc... There's too much security. You have to be invited to be able to have access to that microphone. Whether it was Ron Paul, Newt, Romney, Obama, or anyone else running for office, I find it very disturbing that Ron Paul allowed/endorsed/encouraged this individual to come on stage while in uniform. Ron Paul was in the military. He is a member of congress. He is a self proclaimed constitutionalist. Bottom line: He knew, or SHOULD have known better. Not saying that this incident changes my position of Ron Paul as a candidate; but it definitely makes me question his ability to look at a situation deeper than just the emotional level. In other words, his ability to make sound decisions.

Ron Paul touts having a lot more support among military members than the other Republican candidates. Except for the young and ignorant military members who don't really understand the rules and why they are there concerning this topic; I think Ron Paul may have made a move that could backfire on him and his supposed support of military members.
 
Stepped well over the line.

In 2008 I attended a rally. I was put on a VIP list by a political appointee, so I was able to sit behind the stage.

Before going, I called a USCG lawyer to find out what I could and couldn't do.

I sat down, didn't have a "Veteran's For McCain" sticker or pin. I clapped and cheered. I wasn't in uniform. There was nothing to distinguish me as an active duty member of the military.

Now, don't judge me, the guy I voted for in the primary had already quit the race, and I was supporter, in my opinion, the lesser of two evils.

There is no reason to wear a uniform to a political rally. None. This guy should be in trouble. What idiot staffer thought this was a good idea too? Wasn't Paul in the USAF?

Of course then, Obama makes a regular habit of delivering very political "policy" announcements with the backdrop of generals and admirals.
 
If he knew about it previously, he is in the wrong for allowing that soldier to harm his career. I do wonder how often candidates know/approve who will be doing exactly what on stage.
 
Really? Restrictions concerning the wearing of an uniform at any political rally is Military 101. I applaud him for his activism in American politics, but why wear the uniform? Oh 10 years in service and still a CPL? I know it's the reserves but something doesn't seem right.
 
Aglahad

Really? Restrictions concerning the wearing of an uniform at any political rally is Military 101. I applaud him for his activism in American politics, but why wear the uniform? Oh 10 years in service and still a CPL? I know it's the reserves but something doesn't seem right.

there is a lot that doesn't seem quite right- like why this guy was wearing a uniform in any capacity:
"...Court records show that Thorsen was arrested in Lee County, Fla., in December 2004 for three felonies: burglary, theft of a firearm and possession of burglary tools. Details were not available late Thursday.

He pleaded guilty to all three charges the following July but adjudication was withheld, meaning he would have no record. He was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay $660.50 He made regular payments through April 2006 totaling $630.50 but then stopped, the records show. In May 2006, he was ruled in violation of his probation and was arrested three weeks later in Tampa, spending three days in jail. In August 2006, he appeared before a judge in Lee County, who reinstated his probation..."
 
.....How is he even still in the service? Someone dropped the ball on that one. It says his felonies were withheld but still.
 
Really? Restrictions concerning the wearing of an uniform at any political rally is Military 101. I applaud him for his activism in American politics, but why wear the uniform? Oh 10 years in service and still a CPL? I know it's the reserves but something doesn't seem right.

If he has a history of doing such ill-advised things, I can see why he hasn't moved up in 10 years...
 
.....How is he even still in the service? Someone dropped the ball on that one. It says his felonies were withheld but still.

I am not defending the guy, but soldiers do have certain rights



Typically in Reserves, the military chain of command does not get notify of civilian arrest unless by luck or self report. So, his chain of command might not have taken any action against him because they didn't know about his criminal record.

In this case, even if his chain of command knows about his guilty plead, they couldn't pursue automatic separation since it was not a felony conviction according to the news quote. They could have pursued separation via conduct upcoming or something similiar but harder to to.

He pleaded guilty to all three charges the following July but adjudication was withheld, meaning he would have no record. He was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay $660.50 He made regular payments through April 2006 totaling $630.50 but then stopped, the records show.
 
No offense to MemberLG and other honorably serving reservists, but it seems like its always the part-timers that pull this BS.

I'm on a cruise right now, and today at the pool I watched a guy walk by in Army PT shorts as swim trunks and his ID tags prominently displayed on his birdlike chest. I questioned him as to what unit he's in that requires him to maintain such a high state of readiness...

....the NY National Guard.

Total. Joe. Move.
 
No offense to MemberLG and other honorably serving reservists, but it seems like its always the part-timers that pull this BS.

I'm on a cruise right now, and today at the pool I watched a guy walk by in Army PT shorts as swim trunks and his ID tags prominently displayed on his birdlike chest. I questioned him as to what unit he's in that requires him to maintain such a high state of readiness...

....the NY National Guard.

Total. Joe. Move.

What are Army regs on the wear of PT gear? I know USAF regs (so far as I remember...) allow the mixing and matching of them with civilian attire (or lack therefore such as the use as swim trunks). While I'd rather wear some cool board shorts, a USAF member doing the same wouldn't be out of regs based on my knowledge.
 
What are Army regs on the wear of PT gear? I know USAF regs (so far as I remember...) allow the mixing and matching of them with civilian attire (or lack therefore such as the use as swim trunks). While I'd rather wear some cool board shorts, a USAF member doing the same wouldn't be out of regs based on my knowledge.

He was not out of regs. He just looked like he was visiting the pool at Camp Taji.
 
No offense to MemberLG and other honorably serving reservists, but it seems like its always the part-timers that pull this BS.

I'm on a cruise right now, and today at the pool I watched a guy walk by in Army PT shorts as swim trunks and his ID tags prominently displayed on his birdlike chest. I questioned him as to what unit he's in that requires him to maintain such a high state of readiness...

....the NY National Guard.

Total. Joe. Move.

No offense taken. NG and RC do have our share of "bad" soldiers.

Since we are sharing stories - active duty has their share of misbehaving soldiers.

When I was at Fort Hood, once or twice a month, the local police department will provide of outstanding warrants to the Post PMO (mostly petty stuff - child support traffic) and the PMO will send the notice to units to bring these outstanding soldiers to the PMO to be picked up by the local police.

A buddy of mine, a BN S2, had the hardest time to get his BN XO to complete the security reinvestigation paperwork. Turns out he had a DUI that he wanted to keep quite.
 
No offense to MemberLG and other honorably serving reservists, but it seems like its always the part-timers that pull this BS.

I'm on a cruise right now, and today at the pool I watched a guy walk by in Army PT shorts as swim trunks and his ID tags prominently displayed on his birdlike chest. I questioned him as to what unit he's in that requires him to maintain such a high state of readiness...

....the NY National Guard.

Total. Joe. Move.

Was there a volleyball court or Kenny Loggins music nearby?
 
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