Political Opinions and AROTC
- Thread starter matinraze
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This is an unofficial source, but likely to be a fairly accurate summary:
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/military-folks-and-politics-3332818
For the primary source, research DOD Directive 1344.10, the latest version you can find.
https://www.esd.whs.mil/dd/
You are sensible to ask the question. There are many “don’ts,” but also “permissibles.”
I didn’t directly answer your question, because for things like this, taking the initiative to research the primary source and seeking clarification from your chain of command is classic military SOP, which you will learn if you join AROTC.
You can figure it out from here!
One more thought...things you say or are photographed doing have a looooong life on the Internet. Be prudent and thoughtful.
Yes, you generally may, as long as you do not disparage POTUS, VPOTUS, Congress, SecDef, SecTrans, the Constitution, or the officers appointed over you. Similarly, you may not endorse or espouse political opinions that call for a revolution or an overthrow of the US Government.
However, in today's online political climate, it is a near guarantee that you will anger some and make enemies of others if you choose to do so.
Many officers choose to avoid engagement in political discourse of any kind (some even chose not to vote) to avoid an appearance of untoward political influence on their command decisions.
However, in today's online political climate, it is a near guarantee that you will anger some and make enemies of others if you choose to do so.
Many officers choose to avoid engagement in political discourse of any kind (some even chose not to vote) to avoid an appearance of untoward political influence on their command decisions.
The rules are the same for all military members, regardless of status. The only difference is the extra restrictions placed on officers under Article 88 in the UCMJ.
National Guard, however, may have additional restrictions placed on their speech while in either Title 32 or State Active Duty status. Some states have their own UCMJ (or equivalent) that only applies while in non-Title 10 status, while others may extend the UCMJ to cover National Guardsmen not in a military status. In that sense, AD would actually be more lax than the Reserve Component Guardsmen.
As soon as a ROTC cadet is contracted, they are subject to the UCMJ. Although Article 88 would not apply (yet), Article 134 would. I do not know if they are subject to the restrictions of the Hatch Act.
However, there is a world of difference between "may I" and "should I".
For any future officer reading this thread, do not succumb to the temptation of engaging in contemptuous political speech. It will follow you. It will rub someone the wrong way. It will make enemies. It will define your career.
Anyone in the military who doesn't vote in an attempt to be "apolitical" is essentially wasting a right that they've helped to defend. If they don't vote because they don't like any of the candidates, that's one thing, but not voting just because they're in the military is stupid if you ask me. The services themselves even encourage their members to vote every election cycle.
Nope. It's the same as electing to not attend a worship service while deployed. Or choosing tactful restraint instead of speaking your mind in a wing staff meeting. The 1st amendment ensures both free exercise of religion and freedom from the abridgement of speech. Just like the 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th amendments ensure the right to vote.
Voting is a personal choice. Just like religion and speech.
Voting is a personal choice. Just like religion and speech.
I'd rethink that position.
Correct
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Which way do you lean?
Just kidding. I agree with the above. Be careful with conversation involving political topics. I have to be extra careful with my big mouth due to my current employment.
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This is a matter of “could you” vs. “should you.”
Re “could you,” refer to great advice from @Capt MJ above.
Re “should you,” proceed with extreme caution. You’re signing up to lead men and women in the defense of our country. As a commissioned officer, you’ll be taking an oath to defend our Constitution. You’re welcome to your own political opinions, of course — the very right that you’re volunteering to defend.
But beware of letting your personal opinions slip into the public arena, where it could compromise your ability to lead those men and women, and to win the trust of your peers and commanders. Any notion that you may or may not fully fulfill your sworn duties because of who’s issuing the orders from the Pentagon or White House, or who’s in power in Congress, or whichever direction the country might be going due to current political leadership — this could have grave affect on your ability to lead due to the trust that others may or may not put in you.
Be as political as you like in private. But in the public arena, where you’ve sworn to defend a political system and not a political leaning, you’d be best off being apolitical.
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We practice the following in our house, in MANY areas (not only political discourse)
“Just because you CAN say something, doesn’t mean you SHOULD”....
“Just because you CAN say something, doesn’t mean you SHOULD”....
HuskyPilot
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Don't ruin your career before it gets started. Use common sense.
Regardless of the military/ROTC context, as an old guy whose made his fair share of mistakes in life, I tell my sons that there is great wisdom in the adage to keep politics and religion out of your public (and most private) discourses. That's not to say you shouldn't be interested and involved in politics but as you go through life, you never know how your words and positions may be taken by others. Yes, we live in a free society but all of us hold certain prejudices. Get to know someone well before delving into such topics and do so with caution. You will find we, as Americans, have so much more in common than the political differences that seem heavily magnified, especially in this age. Don't let the differences define your relationships with others.