Marine will fight discharge over Obama comments

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30. No

Just saying that ART 88 doesn't apply, but Disobeying an Order or Regulation certainly does.

I'm active duty, and have some UCMJ knowledge. Here is how I explain this to my family and friends.

If I say; "I'm Bob civilian, and I think the President blows"...I might be OK. I can also donate to campaigns, pass out literature, petition my government for redress, join a picket line, etc...as long as I participate in that activity as a "private" citizen.

If I say; "I'm Bob, active duty Naval Officer, and the President blows"...I'm in BIG trouble. I also cannot use my position, or rank in the military to associate my service with my partisan political activity. I can't march in a protest in uniform, pass out campaign literature in uniform, because in uniform, or when identifying myself as a member of the military, I am a representative of that military.

We have regulations and restrictions on partisan activity as a military member. Violate those regulations and you're suhject to prosecution under the UCMJ.