Probably. In just a few minutes of searching, I found this guidance from Dec 2019. Though it wouldn'
- Members of the Armed Forces are subject to generally more restrictive rules governing political activity than federal civilian employees. Reference (a) is a punitive lawful general regulation. Violations are punishable under Article 92, UCMJ, reference (b). Reference (c) is SECNAV’s current guidance regarding political activities.
a. Permissible activities include: (1) register to vote and vote, (2) express a personal opinion on political candidates or issues, (3) promote and encourage others to vote, (4) write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing their personal views, and (5) display a partisan political bumper sticker on a POV. Permissible online/social media activity is further discussed in paragraph (3).
b. Impermissible activities include: (1) participate in partisan political fundraising activities; (2) use official authority or influence to interfere with an election; (3) perform clerical or other duties for a partisan political committee or candidate during a campaign (e.g., stuffing envelopes, manning a phone bank, precinct walks, distributing campaign literature and buttons, etc.); (4) display a large political sign, banner, or poster (as distinguished from a bumper sticker) on a POV; and (5) display a partisan political sign, poster, banner, or similar device visible to the public at one’s residence on a military installation, even if that residence is part of a privatized housing development.
I'm sure they'll try to get 'em under (2)(b)(1) or probably try to stretch things to consider him engaging in "alt-right"/"Q-anon" type groups, or dig deep into his social media, devices, and what have you to find anything to pin on him. I've never been in the service but prior knowledge tells me if they want to hang him out to dry they'll be able to find something.
And remember there's also the UCMJ, directives from his chain of command, etc. to consider too.
See also: https://militarybenefits.info/can-military-members-protest/ (Gives a decent run-down of servicemen and political speech)
Probably.
- Members of the Armed Forces are subject to generally more restrictive rules governing political activity than federal civilian employees. Reference (a) is a punitive lawful general regulation. Violations are punishable under Article 92, UCMJ, reference (b). Reference (c) is SECNAV’s current guidance regarding political activities.
a. Permissible activities include: (1) register to vote and vote, (2) express a personal opinion on political candidates or issues, (3) promote and encourage others to vote, (4) write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing their personal views, and (5) display a partisan political bumper sticker on a POV. Permissible online/social media activity is further discussed in paragraph (3).
b. Impermissible activities include: (1) participate in partisan political fundraising activities; (2) use official authority or influence to interfere with an election; (3) perform clerical or other duties for a partisan political committee or candidate during a campaign (e.g., stuffing envelopes, manning a phone bank, precinct walks, distributing campaign literature and buttons, etc.); (4) display a large political sign, banner, or poster (as distinguished from a bumper sticker) on a POV; and (5) display a partisan political sign, poster, banner, or similar device visible to the public at one’s residence on a military installation, even if that residence is part of a privatized housing development.
I'm sure they'll try to get 'em under (2)(b)(1) or probably try to stretch things to consider him engaging in "alt-right"/"Q-anon" type groups, or dig deep into his social media, devices, and what have you to find anything to pin on him. I've never been in the service but prior knowledge tells me if they want to hang him out to dry they'll be able to find something.
And remember there's also the UCMJ, directives from his chain of command, etc. to consider too.
See also: https://militarybenefits.info/can-military-members-protest/ (Gives a decent run-down of servicemen and political speech)
Probably.
- Members of the Armed Forces are subject to generally more restrictive rules governing political activity than federal civilian employees. Reference (a) is a punitive lawful general regulation. Violations are punishable under Article 92, UCMJ, reference (b). Reference (c) is SECNAV’s current guidance regarding political activities.
a. Permissible activities include: (1) register to vote and vote, (2) express a personal opinion on political candidates or issues, (3) promote and encourage others to vote, (4) write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing their personal views, and (5) display a partisan political bumper sticker on a POV. Permissible online/social media activity is further discussed in paragraph (3).
b. Impermissible activities include: (1) participate in partisan political fundraising activities; (2) use official authority or influence to interfere with an election; (3) perform clerical or other duties for a partisan political committee or candidate during a campaign (e.g., stuffing envelopes, manning a phone bank, precinct walks, distributing campaign literature and buttons, etc.); (4) display a large political sign, banner, or poster (as distinguished from a bumper sticker) on a POV; and (5) display a partisan political sign, poster, banner, or similar device visible to the public at one’s residence on a military installation, even if that residence is part of a privatized housing development.
I'm sure they'll try to get 'em under (2)(b)(1) or probably try to stretch things to consider him engaging in "alt-right"/"Q-anon" type groups, or dig deep into his social media, devices, and what have you to find anything to pin on him. I've never been in the service but prior knowledge tells me if they want to hang him out to dry they'll be able to find something.
And remember there's also the UCMJ, directives from his chain of command, etc. to consider too.
See also: https://militarybenefits.info/can-military-members-protest/ (old article but gives a decent run-down of servicemen and political speech)
Probably.
- Members of the Armed Forces are subject to generally more restrictive rules governing political activity than federal civilian employees. Reference (a) is a punitive lawful general regulation. Violations are punishable under Article 92, UCMJ, reference (b). Reference (c) is SECNAV’s current guidance regarding political activities.
a. Permissible activities include: (1) register to vote and vote, (2) express a personal opinion on political candidates or issues, (3) promote and encourage others to vote, (4) write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing their personal views, and (5) display a partisan political bumper sticker on a POV. Permissible online/social media activity is further discussed in paragraph (3).
b. Impermissible activities include: (1) participate in partisan political fundraising activities; (2) use official authority or influence to interfere with an election; (3) perform clerical or other duties for a partisan political committee or candidate during a campaign (e.g., stuffing envelopes, manning a phone bank, precinct walks, distributing campaign literature and buttons, etc.); (4) display a large political sign, banner, or poster (as distinguished from a bumper sticker) on a POV; and (5) display a partisan political sign, poster, banner, or similar device visible to the public at one’s residence on a military installation, even if that residence is part of a privatized housing development.
I'm sure they'll try to get 'em under (2)(b)(1) or probably try to stretch things to consider him engaging in "alt-right"/"Q-anon" type groups, or dig deep into his social media, devices, and what have you to find anything to pin on him. I've never been in the service but prior knowledge tells me if they want to hang him out to dry they'll be able to find something.
And remember the quoted text is just "guidance", which can essentially be said to have same force of law as actual regulations. There's also the UCMJ, directives from his chain of command, etc.
See also: https://militarybenefits.info/can-military-members-protest/ (old article but gives a decent run-down of servicemen and political speech)
Probably.
- Members of the Armed Forces are subject to generally more restrictive rules governing political activity than federal civilian employees. Reference (a) is a punitive lawful general regulation. Violations are punishable under Article 92, UCMJ, reference (b). Reference (c) is SECNAV’s current guidance regarding political activities.
a. Permissible activities include: (1) register to vote and vote, (2) express a personal opinion on political candidates or issues, (3) promote and encourage others to vote, (4) write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing their personal views, and (5) display a partisan political bumper sticker on a POV. Permissible online/social media activity is further discussed in paragraph (3).
b. Impermissible activities include: (1) participate in partisan political fundraising activities; (2) use official authority or influence to interfere with an election; (3) perform clerical or other duties for a partisan political committee or candidate during a campaign (e.g., stuffing envelopes, manning a phone bank, precinct walks, distributing campaign literature and buttons, etc.); (4) display a large political sign, banner, or poster (as distinguished from a bumper sticker) on a POV; and (5) display a partisan political sign, poster, banner, or similar device visible to the public at one’s residence on a military installation, even if that residence is part of a privatized housing development.
I'm sure they'll try to get 'em under (2)(b)(1) or probably try to stretch things to consider him engaging in "alt-right"/"Q-anon" type groups, or dig deep into his social media, devices, and what have you to find anything to pin on him. I've never been in the service but prior knowledge tells me if they want to hang him out to dry they'll be able to find something.