Just got around to watching the town hall (leave the political comments on the politics board). Anyone else see the Army officer in uniform? How is this right?

What town hall?

If they are active duty and in uniform at a political rally then they are most likely in violation of the hatch act.

Are retired vets allowed to speak politically while in uniform?

I have no idea. We just got the "firehose" speech on everything politics and political activities from our JAG last week. I took a few key points away but didn't catch everything.

Is a town hall a political rally?

Just curious, how could they enforce anything like that on retired members? Retired members with benefits I can see but anyone else?

Even applies to DA civilian types too (USACE uniformed Park Rangers)

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Just curious, how could they enforce anything like that on retired members? Retired members with benefits I can see but anyone else?

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Retired military personnel receive retainer pay and are technically still subject to the UCMJ, although as a practical matter we rarely pull someone off the retired list just to prosecute them for something.

As a retired General Officer, I still wear my uniform in the conduct of my duties as the Commandant. That includes speaking engagements where I am representing the Office of the Commandant and the Corps of Cadets.

However, just as when I was on active duty, I am NOT allowed to wear the uniform of the United States Army to a political function. Any time I am invited to a political function I am quick to tell those who invited me that IF I attend, I will wear a coat and tie, as I am NOT allowed to wear a US Army uniform to a political function.

I have seen MANY retired Generals and Admirals speak at political rallies, and even the Republican and Democratic conventions. But they have NEVER worn a military uniform when doing so. They have the right to attend political functions and even speak at them, but NOT in uniform.

The rules are pretty clear for all of us who are either currently serving or are retired: no military uniforms at political functions. Period. I have seen pictures of active duty soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines wearing their uniforms at political rallies recently, and my guess is that they will eventually be dealt with accordingly, per the UCMJ.

This discussion brings to mind a book I read years ago. I can't think of the name or author now and it's bugging the crap out of me. Part of the plot involved a man who was a war hero in WWII. He ran for political office soon after coming home, and won. Part of his campaign was getting his war buddies (who I think he rescued) to show up for his campaign rallies.

This worked great in 1946, but as the years and elections wore on, he kept bringing the same guys back to campaign, and they and the public got tired of it.

My recollection is that they buddies always showed up in uniform (and books are 100% accurate, right?)

Really not relevant to the discussion, but I was hoping someone else with better memory might recall the book....

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I have seen pictures of active duty soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines wearing their uniforms at political rallies recently, and my guess is that they will eventually be dealt with accordingly, per the UCMJ.

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Then there was the USAF SF (Security Force = MP) guy at a Trump rally. Wasn't in uniform, but belted a protestor pretty good, on camera. There was a career flushed down the drain.

Town hall is not a political event. Uniforms are prohibited at political events to avoid giving the impression that the military Services endorse a particular politician or political party.

I have no idea about the Town Hall. I was just responding to the question about retired military wearing uniforms to political events. I have no context for what this "Town Hall" event was all about, so can't comment on it.

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/2016/05/04/army-investigating-if-these-west-point-cadets-making-political-statement-uniform/83950452/

Sorry for no context. This was the Trump Town Hall with Greta. It was clearly a political event and for one candidate. The member did not look to be of retirement age, but who knows.

Picture of the member below:

http://insider.foxnews.com/2016/04/26/wednesday-april-27-dont-miss-gretas-indiana-town-hall-donald-trump

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Sorry for no context. This was the Trump Town Hall with Greta. It was clearly a political event and for one candidate. The member did not look to be of retirement age, but who knows.

Picture of the member below:

http://insider.foxnews.com/2016/04/26/wednesday-april-27-dont-miss-gretas-indiana-town-hall-donald-trump

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He shouldn't have been in uniform for that forum, particularly as part of the backdrop behind Trump.

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If they are active duty and in uniform at a political rally then they are most likely in violation of the hatch act.

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BS

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If they are active duty and in uniform at a political rally then they are most likely in violation of the hatch act.

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BS

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You are correct! So I asked again and the Hatch Act applies to government civilians. Uniformed personnel are subject to Department of Defense Directive 1344.10 (DoDD 1344.10), Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces, and the spirit and intent of that directive is effectively the same as that of the Hatch Act for Federal civil servants.

The uniform is regulated by Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1334.01, "Wearing of the Uniform" (plus NAVPER 156651; MCO P1020.34G) which states: "Members of the Armed Forces may not wear the uniform during or in connection with furthering political activity or when an inference of official sponsorship for the activity may be drawn." DoDI 1334.01, para 3.1.2.

The following presentation breaks it down pretty good.

http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/defense_ethics/resource_library/deskbook/political_activities_ppt.pdf