Can't wear uniform at political events - so what about soldiers standing behind Bush?

[asbo604]

Firstly as a Brit and an ex MP i can only try and guess Yank Military Law.

But by going on UK military law (and it is a law not regulations) im pretty sure that if the kit the marine was wearing was issued by the US government as uniform, even if he has removed all insignia then it would still constitute service dress (uniform). They could tell this if it had a Nato Stock Ref No. It should also be stambed or badged inside to indicate it is the property of the US government. You could if you wished probably charge him for distruction of service property if he removed the badges in a way that would damage the items of clothing. The fact that he was/is a reserve means that he could still come under military law depending on his reserve status.

On to the whole Bush thing. In the UK we have something used in the military called a 3 line whip. It basicly means that although you dont have to attend an event you had better be there. On the occasissions we had a politician or member of Royalty there, we were ordered to attend. As this was an order it is classed as a duty which normaly requires uniform to be worn unless otehrwise stated. The attendance is well screened so lowere class NCOs cant attend, normally officers etc.

[John_Mace]

@Monty

Hmm…maybe he is pretty sharp after all. He doesn’t lose any of his benefits and he will sooner than expected have an actual discharge in hand so he’s no longer subject to recall. I wonder how many people are going to decide that’s a good idea!

Well, those guys might not be too sharp if they do try. If the military suspects that it was done specifically to avoid duty, then I suspect they will get a dishonorable discharge. Or worse-- I don’t know what the maximum penalty is.

[Mr.Moto]

Dishonorable discharge is always a sentence imposed by a court martial - it isn’t an administrative penalty. It generally also is accompanied by confinement or some other penalty This it true too with a bad-conduct discharge (what we used to call the Big Chicken Dinner).

The administrative discharges are honorable, general (under honorable conditions) and other-than-honorable. Only a general or honorable discharge will entitle you to most veterans benefits, and in addition, educational benefits like the GI Bill are reserved for honorably discharged veterans with enough time in.

[Squink]

Marines drop case against Iraq veteran

The Marines won’t kick out an Iraq war veteran who made anti-war statements in a speech and wore part of his uniform at a protest, the service said Friday, despite a recommendation to discharge him early.
…
The Marines said in a news release that they were dropping the case because they had “received sufficient indication” from Madden that he would no longer wear his uniform when engaged in political activities. They also determined that his statements did not warrant further action.

Madden insists he never reached an agreement with the Marines and planned to keep wearing his uniform at protests. He did write in an e-mail to the Marine Corps on Tuesday that he would agree to stop wearing his uniform at protests if the corps put in writing “that my statements are neither disloyal nor inaccurate.”

Madden said he never received the letter he requested on Marine Corps letterhead and had no further conversations with the Marines.

“I think it’s a total victory,” Madden said, …