Army Sgt in uniform attending and applauding a clearly political speech?

[Bozita]

I thought that was not allowed.

Help!

[BeatleBoot]

1. You never watched a Clinton or Bush SOTU?

[Lost-in-FL]

2. There's a big difference.

The President (and Commander in Chief of the military) is speaking to both chambers of congress and the American public.

The response to the SOTU is a partisan activity.

[Obamanaut]

15. Never mind. nt

[Bozita]

3. Why did the military at the SOTU listen only while the Sgt at the GOP response was not so reserved?

[BeatleBoot]

13. I thought you were talking about SOTU,

I couldn't stomach the response.


Sorry for the confusion.

[Lost-in-FL]

4. FM-27-1

FM-27-1, Chapter 10 ATTENDING POLITICAL MEETINGS
When not in uniform, soldiers may attend both partisan and nonpartisan political meetings or rallies as spectators. While soldiers may go to these rallies, they may not speak before a partisan political gathering of any kind to promote a partisan political party or candidate. The limitations on soldiers participating in public demonstrations also apply to participating in political meetings. That is, soldiers cannot do so when on duty, while in uniform, while on post, and so forth. Furthermore, soldiers may not attend partisan political events as representatives of the Army, even though they do not actively participate. (See AR 600-20, Appendix B.)

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/27-1/Ch10.htm

[tabasco]

7. It's not a political meeting.

It's a constitutional requirement.

Pick up a book sometime.

[Bozita]

8. Thanks.

I will.

Maybe we should all read more ... carefully.

[Lost-in-FL]

9. I am not talking about the SOTU speech jello brain...

But about the RESPONSE to the SOTU by REPUBLICANS which is a partisan activity.

[Toots]

12. The Republican response is most definitely a POLITICAL thing

The SOU is not a Political thing and any Military presence there is expected and required. The response is a very different story.

[11 Bravo]

14. I just picked up a book. It contains a copy of the Constitution.

I can't find the part which declares that a response to the State of the Union is constitutionally mandated. Maybe you can help me out.

[bertman]

16. The "response" is a constitutional requirement, tabasco? Have you been into the sauce?

[jwirr]

5. Anyone know who he is? There may be a story behind this.

[Bozita]

10. I'm thinking you're right.

Will the MSM pay attention?

[JonLP24]

6. It was the SOTU

Entirely appropriate for him to attend. An election campaign rally is not.

[Lochloosa]

11. Bozita, obviously some don't get it. So let me explain

Bozita is talking about the Rebug response not the State of the Union speech

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

17. So no military member is allowed to clap during the SOTU address?