Military Folk: Is there protocol for how to react to a president's speech?

[LaydeeBug]

I am seeing a LOT of people say that the military "non-response" to President Obama's speech "says it all". It's times like this that I miss my military father more than ever. He would have easily set this straight.

Isn't it true that military personnel are not supposed to react at their Commander's speeches?

[randys1]

1. What did they do or not do that brings this up?

[LaydeeBug]

3. I only give you this link because you asked for it

and not because I want them to get the traffic:

http://www.conservativeoutfitters.com/blogs/news/83681153-video-joint-chiefs-diss-obama-at-the-state-of-the-union-2016

[randys1]

4. The comments on that place, makes me angry. I dont know if they usually do that or not

to be honest

I do know righty hates America as long as it isnt white

[JHB]

13. The foamers are seeing what they want to see...

...or trying to engage in the old sport of Kremlin watching, trying to guess who was in favor within the Kremlin based on who was standing where during the big May Day parades through Red Square.

The only way to really judge it would be comparing how they've acted over the years, going back maybe to Eisenhower. Anyone who opines without a basis for comparison is just passing gas.

[treestar]

2. Don't know but I loathe it when Republicans

make assumptions that the entire military is Republican, loves Republican Presidents, and disrespects Democratic ones (which, if they did, would prove they are unprofessional and unpatriotic and not really serving this country when it elects a D president, but the Rs who push this never realize how bad they are making the military look).

[edgineered]

5. The way that it was explained to us as recruits

and later at various commands is that the Public Relations Office or Officer is the only one authorized to make a statement. That is how it was for the three enlistments I served, but these days, who knows?

[bluedigger]

6. It's probably inappropriate for them to react to anything outside their area.

Given that there were US personnel under detention by an unfriendly foreign power, and that it happened under their watch at a particularly poor time for the President, politically, I think their circumspection was entirely appropriate. The President's man, Kerry, was needed to pull the fat out of the frying pan.

[1939]

7. My experience

First time I was in Vietnam, LBJ was president. Second time Nixon was president.

When either one would be on Armed Forces Network TV, they would be given a massive dose of middle fingers and derogatory comments that would make "You lie" seem tame.

[B Calm]

14. I served with David Eisenhower and President Nixon would greet our ship whenever we returned from

a long deployment. David was married to Julie Nixon the presidents daughter. Nixon appearances would hold up liberty for hours. It really pissed off the sailors wanting to get the hell off the ship after a six month cruise. Behind the scene he got a lot of fingers.

[tazkcmo]

8. In an official capacity

No response is the SOP. We're generally not allowed to speak on camera as a representative of the military unless specifically designated. We foot soldiers may something contrary to official doctrine. That was my experience.

[LannyDeVaney]

9. They were in uniform. If they weren't in uniform they could react, campaign, etc...

Long standing rule in the military. That's why you never see a uniformed person at a campaign rally.

[moondust]

10. Military is supposed to be apolitical.

Last edited Fri Jan 15, 2016, 10:11 PM - Edit history (1)

Faithfully serving whoever happens to be running the government at any given time. Any overt gesture "could be" interpreted as a political statement, though polite applause probably wouldn't alarm anybody.

(Of course they can still vote like anybody else.)

[LiberalElite]

11. I'm not military but I assumed

it is protocol for them to not react one way or the other. The Supremes didn't react either.

[jen63]

12. They showed proper military bearing

I would think. Their oath is to the Constitution.

[1939]

15. Also to obey the president

but not to be his cheerleaders. Taking part in polite applause at the end of the speech would be acceptable but they shouldn't show enthusiasm for all of the political zingers every president tosses out there for applause lines.

[Donkees]

16. I recall there was a point in the speech where PBO praised the military....

...the cameras went to the joint chiefs. They wouldn't be applauding themselves.