thedrifter
06-21-07, 05:12 PM
Military guidelines for political involvement
Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Belovarac
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(June 21, 2007) -- Presidential primaries will be held soon, and active duty Marines need to be aware of what their limitations are for political activities.
Marine Administrative Message 289/06 outlines what active duty Marines may and may not do, concerning political actions.
The right to vote is something this country stresses, and is encouraged by active duty Marines, as is the right to express views on political candidates or issues.
An exception to supporting any political cause or candidate is when, as part of an organization or group, the matter concerns a partisan view, which would be highly militaristic. Marines may only attend, not play a part in, partisan campaigns as spectators, and only when not in uniform.
Actions like writing letters to public officials or simply having a bumper sticker on a personally owned vehicle are acceptable. These actions do not interfere with a Marine’s work or misrepresent the Marine Corps.
“As a private citizen, you should take part in the voting process,” said Ms. Sharon K. McLain, Voting Officer, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “I think inactivity would be wrong.”
Service members are not prohibited from serving as an election official, but are unable to run for political office. Working as an election official can only be done if such efforts do not interfere with military duties.
It is also unacceptable to act as an election official when representing a partisan party, whether in uniform or civilian attire. Marines must be careful when participating in political events not to represent the Marine Corps when expressing their own personal views. The opinions of service members are heard loud when it comes to issues concerning topics in the news such as the War on Terrorism and health care for wounded veterans.
Wearing a service uniform is not allowed if a Marine is taking an action such as speaking at a political rally or convention. This misrepresents the Marine Corps and misguides what the public may think of the armed services based on an individual’s opinion.
“That’s unfair to a group as a whole to misrepresent them as a formal spokesperson,” McLain said. “Nothing prevents you from putting on civilian attire and going out to represent your own views.”
Even veterans organizations are not allowed to participate or attend political functions as a group.
Their presence alone can send a misguided message about the opinions of all veterans. It is not only prohibited to wrongfully represent the Marine Corps, but it is also wrong to encourage other people to help a political cause or politician.
Activities that involve raising funds for a politician or specific party are not allowed. Actions encouraging the support of dinners and conventions are also prohibited. Individually supporting a politician or political cause is a Marine’s own business.
Attending events and giving donations are acceptable for a Marine to do as an individual effort. However, it is not permitted for a Marine to encourage others to attend or give financial support to a political event, cause or politician.
Regulations may be set concerning political actions, but this does not mean taking action on an individual level is not possible.
Ellie
Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Belovarac
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(June 21, 2007) -- Presidential primaries will be held soon, and active duty Marines need to be aware of what their limitations are for political activities.
Marine Administrative Message 289/06 outlines what active duty Marines may and may not do, concerning political actions.
The right to vote is something this country stresses, and is encouraged by active duty Marines, as is the right to express views on political candidates or issues.
An exception to supporting any political cause or candidate is when, as part of an organization or group, the matter concerns a partisan view, which would be highly militaristic. Marines may only attend, not play a part in, partisan campaigns as spectators, and only when not in uniform.
Actions like writing letters to public officials or simply having a bumper sticker on a personally owned vehicle are acceptable. These actions do not interfere with a Marine’s work or misrepresent the Marine Corps.
“As a private citizen, you should take part in the voting process,” said Ms. Sharon K. McLain, Voting Officer, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “I think inactivity would be wrong.”
Service members are not prohibited from serving as an election official, but are unable to run for political office. Working as an election official can only be done if such efforts do not interfere with military duties.
It is also unacceptable to act as an election official when representing a partisan party, whether in uniform or civilian attire. Marines must be careful when participating in political events not to represent the Marine Corps when expressing their own personal views. The opinions of service members are heard loud when it comes to issues concerning topics in the news such as the War on Terrorism and health care for wounded veterans.
Wearing a service uniform is not allowed if a Marine is taking an action such as speaking at a political rally or convention. This misrepresents the Marine Corps and misguides what the public may think of the armed services based on an individual’s opinion.
“That’s unfair to a group as a whole to misrepresent them as a formal spokesperson,” McLain said. “Nothing prevents you from putting on civilian attire and going out to represent your own views.”
Even veterans organizations are not allowed to participate or attend political functions as a group.
Their presence alone can send a misguided message about the opinions of all veterans. It is not only prohibited to wrongfully represent the Marine Corps, but it is also wrong to encourage other people to help a political cause or politician.
Activities that involve raising funds for a politician or specific party are not allowed. Actions encouraging the support of dinners and conventions are also prohibited. Individually supporting a politician or political cause is a Marine’s own business.
Attending events and giving donations are acceptable for a Marine to do as an individual effort. However, it is not permitted for a Marine to encourage others to attend or give financial support to a political event, cause or politician.
Regulations may be set concerning political actions, but this does not mean taking action on an individual level is not possible.
Ellie