Did Bush break a law by not getting a physical in 1972?

[Eric J in MN]

The author of "Bush's War for Re-Election" was on Hardball just now, and he said that Bush didn't have permission to skip his physical in 1972. Bush just decided on his own not get a physical.

Is that against a law?

[punpirate]

1. It's a violation of a direct order....

Not a breaking of criminal law, but a violation of the UCMJ. The order issued in August, `72, suspending him from flight status, says: "Off will comply...." Bush didn't comply.

His superiors should have initiated disciplinary action, but they apparently did nothing. After all, he was the UN ambassador's kid....

[SWPAdem]

2. When you are in the military

Uncle Sam owns your body. Not showing up for a physical is serious shit, especially if you are a pilot. Anything that interferes with your fitness or readiness can get your young ass in trouble.

You could be be prevented from taking leave or attending service schools if you did not meet weight or PT requirements during my days.

[slater71]

3. Should have goyyon one.

I served during that time and never heard of not have a physical because you thought you didn`t need one. Anyone who has been in the military knows that is a crock of BS.

[sangha]

4. Bush* reason for not taking medical-"felt there was no reason to take it"

Bush Acts Against Critics on Guard Records and 9/11
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/14/politics/14BUSH.html?pagewanted=2

"The White House also more definitively explained than it has in the past why Mr. Bush skipped a 1972 National Guard medical exam, which has been a source of enormous speculation from Mr. Bush's critics, who have suggested he did so because drug testing was introduced around that time.

The records show that Mr. Bush was suspended from flying beginning Aug. 1, 1972 because he failed to take the exam. His last flight exam was on May 15, 1971.

Mr. Bartlett said Mr. Bush missed the exam because he felt there was no reason to take it. Mr. Bush, he said, had begun his training in 1968 with the Air National Guard in Texas, where he flew a fighter jet, the F-102. When he moved to Alabama in 1972 to work in the Senate campaign of a friend of his father, Mr. Bush transferred to an Alabama unit of the Guard that did not fly the same plane. Because there was no way Mr. Bush could fly planes in Alabama, Mr. Bartlett said, he did not bother to report for the medical exam. "

Whenever you discuss this issue with someone else, make sure to ask how often individuals in the service get to decide which orders to follow and which are not needed?

[loudnclear]

5. Suppose a soldier feels it isn't necessary to stay awake on guard duty?

Bush is full of shit!!