On Wednesday, the Marine Corps notified Marine Sgt. Gary Stein, a nine-year service member, that he was in violation of a Pentagon policy barring soldiers from political activities and that the Corps is seeking to dishonorably discharge him with a reduction in rank. The charges stem from his “Armed Forces Tea Party” Facebook page, where the Camp Pendleton Marine posted comments critical of President Obama and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. Do our soldiers have any right to free speech?
Having served in the military, this is a tricky one for me to comment on. I understand the need for military discipline and loyalty. However, I also feel that service members should have the right to express themselves appropriately – even if that involves political speech.
While service members do voluntarily surrender a great many rights during their service to our nation (a part of the sacrifice they make), I do not believe that means they shed all of them. In our modern society, I think soldiers (like all other American citizens) should be able to express themselves (1) in the capacity of a private citizen and (2) as long as doing so does not harm military discipline, loyalty or performance.
So, let’s take a common sense approach to Sgt. Stein, considering the facts first.
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A "dishonorable" discharge can only be given by the command of a court-martial, for a serious felony conviction.
ReplyDeleteThis Marine is facing a punitive separation, but certainly not a "dishonorable" discharge.
I just wanted to point out the difference.
Thanks.
ReplyDelete