What are the limits to free speech imposed on military members?

Question

I'm writing a paper on the subject of the history of free speech in America, and was wanting to find out some ideas. Anybody know this or know where I can look?

Answer 1

Okay, there are some things you can't say or disclose because that topic, location, etc is considered classified in the military. Another big no, no is saying something/doing something that would bring severe discredit to the armed force of the U.S. In regards to protesting or rallies, you are allowed to attend them if you in civilian attire. Any form of hate speech, ethic/racial /religious slurs, threats, conspiracy to commit unlawful acts, etc are not allowed. Don't speak badly of your superiors to subordinates either. If you have problems, talk to the superior or anyone in the chain of command. The rule of thumb that I go by is when you say something, make sure your statement will not cause any friction. Don't say anything that could p**s someone off or get you in trouble. Even a seemingly harmless gender/sexual jokes can get you in trouble for sexual harassment in someone gets offended enough.

Answer 2

there is no free speech on a military base.  Your job is to defend the constitutional rights of the people of the US, not to challenge them.  I spent 20 years in the military, in that time I was never forced to keep quiet anymore than I was forced to say something.

Answer 3

I do not know what limitations the USA puts on its military as far as free speech is concerned.

However, the military are there to do the bidding of the USA government, and, i feel, should only be allowed to make comments behind closed doors.

Answer 4

Military personnel are bound by UCMJ the Uniform Code Of Military Justice and discouraged from being political, but other than following your last block of instructions and using common sense there are no restrictions on freedom of speech, save that they do not promote or condone treasonous or unlawful behavior.

Not sure where these 'alleged' military folks are getting there intel here but they are 100% wrong.

You do not lose your freedom of speech in the military.

You are expected and bound by certain regs as to not protesting in Uniform, not belonging to certain volitile organizations: KKK, Black Panthers, etc, and you can not openly condemm the commmander in chief.

Here is a good link to an article on the subject.

I am retired US Army and while I do not know all there is to know on the matter, I do know enough not to believe that my career was spent defending freedoms that I was unentitled to.

http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airch...

Answer 5

Military members are not governed by the Constitution we are governed by the UCMJ, the Uniform Code of Military Justice.  We have no free speech and are not allowed to say and do as we want.  Free speech is something WE protect for YOU when we fight for our country all over the world.

Answer 6

I hear they are banned from going to websites like http://www.bofads.com  

Answer 7

Members of the military are governed under the UCMJ..the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Service members waive certain rights during their service because of the unique nature of the military.  

Answer 8

You cannot go to political rallies or anything like that in Uniform.

Answer 9

The major one which applies in this year is the Hatch Act which prohibits armed forces' personnel from appearing in uniform at partisan political functions or in campaign ads. They are also prohibited from running for an elective officer, whether it is a partisan or non-partisan seat.

Since yours is a history assignment, you might want to consider this case of that prohibition and its non-enforcement. In the 1970s a young Army man returned from Vietnam to help his father gain re-election to the U.S. Senate. He appeared at several campaign events in uniform with his father. He was never prosecuted and later went on to gain his father's old Senate seat in his own right, become Vice President and run for President. His name is Albert Francis Gore, Jr.