The Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen Conway, just signed a message, ALMAR 021/08, on Political Activities By Members of the Marine Corps. This follows an essay in the Joint Force Quarterly by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm Mullen, which iterates a similar theme – troops should keep their political leanings to themselves, or at least out of the public eye.
Gen Conway’s message states (excuse the format, ALMARs are produced in arcane naval message format):
1. RECENTLY, SOME MARINES HAVE APPEARED IN UNIFORM
AT PARTISAN POLITICAL EVENTS SUCH AS CAMPAIGN SPEECHES GIVEN BY
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES. THIS ACTIVITY IS PROHIBITED. MARINES WILL
NOT APPEAR IN UNIFORM AT ANY EVENT THAT COULD BE CONSTRUED AS
PARTISAN POLITICAL ACTIVITY. ANY EVENT AT WHICH A PRESIDENTIAL
CANDIDATE IS SPEAKING SHALL BE CONSIDERED A PARTISAN POLITICAL EVENT.
2. DOD POLICY ENCOURAGES SERVICE MEMBERS TO CARRY OUT THE
OBLIGATIONS OF CITIZENSHIP. HOWEVER, DOD PERSONNEL MAY NOT ENGAGE
IN ACTIVITIES THAT ASSOCIATE DOD WITH ANY PARTISAN POLITICAL
CAMPAIGN OR ELECTION, CANDIDATE, CAUSE, OR ISSUE. THE REFERENCE
CONTAINS THE RULES APPLICABLE TO SERVICE MEMBERS PARTICIPATING IN
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES, AND PROVIDES EXAMPLES OF BOTH WHAT IS, AND IS
NOT, PERMISSIBLE.
3. IF THERE IS ANY POSSIBILITY AN EVENT MAY BE A PARTISAN POLITICAL
EVENT, DO NOT ATTEND IN UNIFORM. IF YOU ARE AT AN EVENT IN UNIFORM
AND IT TURNS INTO A PARTISAN POLITICAL EVENT, DEPART AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
Personally, I’m a little surprised that the Commandant thought this message was necessary. I guess I just missed any news reports about Marines appearing at campaign rallies in uniform. Still, I think that Gen Conway did the right thing in reiterating the policy. As those who remember my Political Statements in Uniform post already know, I am a strong believer in keeping the military services out of our political process, and I rather like the fact that our military leadership is emphasizing that right now. As our nation struggles to deal with our partisan divide, I think the last thing we need is the Armed Forces weighing in for one side or the other.
Update: Our favorite VMI Army Eagle, Colonel Hank Foresman sends:
* It is equally as wrong for a retired military member to appear at a partisan event in uniform. . .years ago I remember attending an event where a retired O6 was in his service uniform it was very partisan in nature a rally for Ollie North. . .and a retired NCO (same service) went up and told him he was wrong!
* When I entered the Army there was an unwritten rule that members of the military did not put political bumper stickers on their cars! I think it might be time for the military resurrect that rule! As servants of the people of this nation do we not owe it to them to keep our views private as we serve all the citizens of the nation. Showing support for one candidate or another gives the impression that one is supporting one group over another. . .and that our loyalty is to the candidate and not the Constitution.
I haven’t seen anything with Marines showing up at events. But he is most likely just reinforcing and just putting it out there since the elections are this year for president.
What do you think about the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in Texas who is using his title at Lt. Col. (rather than state rep., which is his other title) in his campaign?
He’s still active in the National Guard, as well.
Personally, I can understand using your title when retired, but not when you’re still under obligation.
I’d like your thoughts on this.
correct me if I’m wrong, but I always thought it was against regs. ( all branches) to be in uniform at political events unless it is formaly sanctioned such as an honor guard??
Roger,
It is against regs to do ANYTHING political while wearing your uniform or otherwise representing yourself in uniform at political events.
If you are a Reservist (in the Reserve Component) you can run for political office and participate in political activities –as long as you do not bring your military status into the equation.
In other words, if a reserve COL wants to run for state senate, he can (I believe that Lindesy Graham (R-SC) is a COL in the Air Force Reserve, and is currently serving in the Senate.) However, we never hear of Graham as COL Graham, but as Senator Graham.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindsey_Graham
The bottom line is that political events should be avoided by uniformed troops at all costs, and this has always been the case.
I agree, but apparently he doesn’t.
Here in Michigan we had two Marines, a SSgt and a Sgt, show up in blues at a Mccain event. Sen Mccain naturally pulled them in and took lots of pictures. There was going to be hell to pay as all the reserve unit commanders were trying to find out who they belonged to. I believe they were out or in the IRR.
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2008/06/16/staff_idea_cornyn_says_maybe_s.html?cxntfid=blogs_postcards
I think we’ve already got a military weighing in. From sites like that ‘vote vets’ or whatever its name is, to the various retired general officers and others getting involved one way or another–(my congressman is former Admiral Sestak, and I know of at least another 2 or 3 vets running for state or national office in my area) its all over the place.
Conway and Mullen are trying tone things down, but they’re too late to close that barn door.