@Booyeah: Yeah so the word "reasonably" should get them out of trouble as it's not reasonable for the military to ban the name of their president when it's not even close to an election. I'm sure there are still some people who believe he's the president of America first and a republican second. So his name should be affiliated with America more so than the Republican Party.
This is just my opinion only but with the growing anti American sentiment going around I can't fault them. They probably feel that way but again this is just me theorizing. I'm guessing if they've heard the same anti American sentiment.. it's got to feel a tad hopeless especially if they are risking their lives over it.
Trump ran his campaign on largely supporting the military it probably feels like a breath of fresh air rather than having people burning our flags and not getting punished for it.
I mean look at Veterans they serve our country and we treat them like our take out trash.
Totally and 100% inappropriate irrespective of who is Commander-In-Chief. While I'm sure it was just some guys sick of life on the base having some fun, the military doesn't allow for this kind of thing. The fact that it came from SEALS is disappointing.
@Booyeah: I've seen that too. Always wonder if they're active duty or not. If so, I've got to assume they feel the heat. Not a lot of gray area when it comes to military rules.
@Ynotisay: And the military likes to write in "catchalls"; 4.1.5. Activities not expressly prohibited may be contrary to the spirit and intent of this Directive. Any activity that may be reasonably viewed as directly or indirectly associating the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security (in the case of the Coast Guard) or any component of these Departments with a partisan political activity or is otherwise contrary to the spirit and intention of this Directive shall be avoided.
Yes. It was wrong, but these days, you can't even have pin up girls in your barracks. (Thank you cupcakes!) I would have agreed with some form of disciplinary action if Trump was not yet president at the time, but showing support for your commander in chief should not be a punishable offense.
DOD regulations specifically say you can't support a political leader. It makes sense in a country like American. For the people. Not for a politician...
That said SEALs are known for not complying to military rules an regulations. They get away with a lot of shit. They used to be able to get away with even more...
The Military represents the people of the USA not ANY president. Where is the USA flag ? I don't think they deserve "Punishment" more like explaining and telling them not to do it again. Until I hear anything different, they made a mistake and that's all.
@Sissycindysue: The only thing Generals and Admirals get is a star-plate or small flags that show their number of rank stars, 1, 2, 3, or 4. They don't get a flag personalized with their name because your loyalty is to their rank and position, not to their person. For the same reason it's inappropriate to fly a Trump campaign flag, your loyalty is to the position of Commander-in-Chief, not to the person.
@Booyeah: that doesn't make a bit of sense you can be loyal to a person as well as to their rank my father was in the Navy and he was very loyal and friends with people of higher rank that doesn't make a bit of sense
@Sissycindysue: It's to avoid situations like ancient Rome, where soldiers were singularly loyal to their Generals instead of the Roman Senate and later Roman Emperor.
