Should Active Duty Military Officers vote?

[Farnan]

I'm not asking if they should have the right to vote. That is an obvious yes.

But should they?

Patton once said "If I vote against the President I am voting against my commander-in-chief, if I vote for the President I have been bought."

Until 1945 the US Military has had a tradition that officers do not vote. It was to completely disengage from politics. However after 1945 that changed.

What are your thoughts?

[Del Valle]

Perhaps the higher level Military officers should disengage (Chiefs-of-Staff, Generals). Lower level soldiers should engage in voting though.

[Ciabhán]

I've always thought that field grade and general officers should not. Company level officers should do what they are comfortable with.

No active duty personnel should be allowed to engage in any other political activity outside of casting their vote.

[Exarch]

if they feel that strongly, perhaps they ought to vote with their guns?

[Exarch]

there's always a danger of officers discriminating against other officers based on their voting choices though

[Farnan]

there's always a danger of officers discriminating against other officers based on their voting choices though

Thats not likely to happen in most democracies, which have hidden ballots.

However, officers if they do vote need to make sure that it never leaves the ballot box to prevent undue command influence.

Ciabahan: I agree 100%.

[Exarch]

Thats not likely to happen in most democracies, which have hidden ballots.

However, officers if they do vote need to make sure that it never leaves the ballot box to prevent undue command influence.

Ciabahan: I agree 100%.

i'm referring to officers shooting the bull in the rec room, if talk turns to politics, ppl'll find out how you're going to vote based on your views

[Mr. Scott]

i'm referring to officers shooting the bull in the rec room, if talk turns to politics, ppl'll find out how you're going to vote based on your views

you could always say you didn't vote...

[hellheaven1987]

Well, why not?? If the Commander in Chief sucks voting would be the only way to get him out.

[Exarch]

i miss the old simple days of american politics when political assassination was a time honoured tradition, have yet to see a real coup though

[hellheaven1987]

i miss the old simple days of american politics when political assassination was a time honoured tradition, have yet to see a real coup though

I hope in French style though, dropping paratroops on capital is just too awesome.

[Exarch]

I hope in French style though, dropping paratroops on capital is just too awesome.

yo, guillotine in the Capitol Square, would love to see some heads roll for once, i'll even take up knitting for tradition's sake

anyhoo, @topic
i think allowing officers to vote might conflict with the US military code of Justice bit on now being allowed to publicly criticize your civilian leadership or something

[AUSSIE11]

you are a citizen first soldier second... why should any man or woman who is a citizen have their right to vote removed?

[Farnan]

you are a citizen first soldier second... why should any man or woman who is a citizen have their right to vote removed?

NO ONE is talking about that.

'm not asking if they should have the right to vote. That is an obvious yes.

[HansDuet]

Well if the other option to influence politics is military coup..

Of course, why not.

[rez]

I never really thought about this but what Patton said is really quite interesting.

I guess I agree with Ciabhan and Farnan.

[Azog 150]

Yes they should. As long as their vote remains anonymous (Which it does in a Western democracy) and they don't engage in other political activities then I see no problem.

One of the advantages of having a Monarch is that they head the Armed Forces, not the elected PM.

[Yorkshireman]

I can't see the problem, senior officers have a right to a personal political opinion as long as it does'nt encroach on their job.

As for voting against your CIC, I don't suppose you have to agree with his politics as long as you obey his orders.

[MentshmitT]

Should Active Duty Military Officers vote?

They should make use of their right as it would be a waste of freedom not having voted but they should not actively take party for or against persons or a political opinion when they are on active duty because of the respect towards their subordinates and because of the loyality that their oath demands.

[ivan_the_terrible]

I think they should vote. If anything they should get two votes or more, because they're the ones carrying out the dirty work.