He got off easy, I think.

for the "liberally-biased media" ...

either sucking up to President Mittens, or attacking President Obama for his fingernails being too long and shaggy or for them being too manicured.

Other than his actions being viewed as immature, I don't see the need for a discharge. As a military member, I've always supported the current CINC. Whether I agreed with his policies or not. In uniform, I made sure to support their decisions, just as I would any officer appointed over me. But Facebook? Isn't that akin to what you might say to a few friends over at dinner? I try to think back to the days when Bush was President and how I'd feel if this came up then, and I don't think I agree with the Marine Corps' decision on this one.

I would be fired!

So apparently it was public. Ah. It was a group. He didn't have a leg to stand on.

That doesn't sound like he was simply having a chatfest with his pals at the bar. He advocated for open disobedience.

... public record and all that.

He later clarified that he meant "unlawful" orders but the damage was done.

I've messaged quite a few of my Soldiers about their political posts and asked them to think about whether or not they would want this printed and handed to me or their Battalion Commander. Private conversations are one thing, as it is the inherent right of every Soldier to gripe but once it is out in the ether, it's too late.

Man, the idiocy of some people is astonishing.

And I'll bet he DOES get rewarded for it.

to criticize the President or to make public political statements as members of the military. We learned that in Basic Training in the USAF. I'm pretty sure that same thing is taught in the USMC.

Since the President is the Commander-in-Chief, he's the top official of the Marine Corps, the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force. You don't diss the guy if you want a career in the military. It's against the law.

if it was just posted to "friends" on Facebook?

I don't know the details, but I'm sure they do.

It's that way to maintain the good order and discipline of a professional military.

You do not disrespect and show insubordination to your Commander in Chief.

He got off easy, I say.

He had created a group...and anyone can join a group on FB...he also politicized as well...which was in violation of regulations and policies, his chain of command told him and he continued to violate those regulations and policies!

I can see more of how this might be justified. Social media is still a relatively new product where the military is concerned. If it sounds like this individual went out of his way to court this kind of action, then his punishment may be warranted. However if this action is taken simply because of what one says on their personal site, among friends, then I think some leeway is required.

I could have been cashiered!

He was President when I was in the USAF, too. When I was stationed at Ft. George Meade in Maryland, and working inside the NSA building, he showed up during an exercise that was done there, simulating an event. I was sitting at a teletype machine, and Nixon and the entourage of brass stopped behind me. I was less than 6 feet from the man, and had to say something, because I was asked a question by Nixon. I said, "Yes, Mr. President." Then I returned to what I was doing. First President I ever met. I had some other words for him, but I kept them to myself. Probably a good thing...

4.1. General

4.1.1. A member of the Armed Forces on active duty may:

4.1.1.1. Register, vote, and express a personal opinion on political candidates and issues, but not as a representative of the Armed Forces.

4.1.1.2. Promote and encourage others to exercise their voting franchise, if such promotion does not constitute use of their official authority or influence to interfere with the outcome of any election.

4.1.1.3. Join a partisan or nonpartisan political club and attend its meetings when not in uniform, subject to the restrictions of subparagraph 4.1.2.4. (See DoD Instruction 1334.1 (Reference (c).)

4.1.1.4. Serve as an election official, if such service is not as a representative of a partisan political party, does not interfere with the performance of military duties, is performed when not in uniform, and the Secretary concerned has given prior approval. The Secretary concerned may NOT delegate the authority to grant or deny such permission.

4.1.1.5. Sign a petition for a specific legislative action or a petition to place a candidate’s name on an official election ballot, if the signing does not obligate the member to engage in partisan political activity and is done as a private citizen and not as a representative of the Armed Forces.

4.1.1.6. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing the member’s personal views on public issues or political candidates, if such action is not part of an organized letter-writing campaign or a solicitation of votes for or against a political party or partisan political cause or candidate. If the letter identifies the member as on active duty (or if the member is otherwise reasonably identifiable as a member of the Armed Forces), the letter should clearly state that the views expressed are those of the individual only and not those of the Department of Defense (or Department of Homeland Security for members of the Coast Guard).

4.1.1.7. Make monetary contributions to a political organization, party, or committee favoring a particular candidate or slate of candidates, subject to the limitations under section 441a of title 2, United States Code (U.S.C.) (Reference (d)); section 607 of title 18, U.S.C. (Reference (e)); and other applicable law.

4.1.1.8. Display a political bumper sticker on the member’s private vehicle.

4.1.1.9. Attend partisan and nonpartisan political fundraising activities, meetings, rallies, debates, conventions, or activities as a spectator when not in uniform and when no inference or appearance of official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement can reasonably be drawn.

4.1.1.10. Participate fully in the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

4.1.2. A member of the Armed Forces on active duty shall not:

4.1.2.1. Participate in partisan political fundraising activities (except as permitted in subparagraph 4.1.1.7.), rallies, conventions (including making speeches in the course thereof), management of campaigns, or debates, either on one’s own behalf or on that of another, without respect to uniform or inference or appearance of official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement. Participation includes more than mere attendance as a spectator. (See subparagraph 4.1.1.9.)

4.1.2.2. Use official authority or influence to interfere with an election, affect the course or outcome of an election, solicit votes for a particular candidate or issue, or require or solicit political contributions from others.

4.1.2.3. Allow or cause to be published partisan political articles, letters, or endorsements signed or written by the member that solicits votes for or against a partisan political party, candidate, or cause. This is distinguished from a letter to the editor as permitted under the conditions noted in subparagraph 4.1.1.6.

4.1.2.4. Serve in any official capacity with or be listed as a sponsor of a partisan political club.

4.1.2.5. Speak before a partisan political gathering, including any gathering that promotes a partisan political party, candidate, or cause.

4.1.2.6. Participate in any radio, television, or other program or group discussion as an advocate for or against a partisan political party, candidate, or cause.

4.1.2.7. Conduct a political opinion survey under the auspices of a partisan political club or group or distribute partisan political literature.

4.1.2.8. Perform clerical or other duties for a partisan political committee or candidate during a campaign, on an election day, or after an election day during the process of closing out a campaign.

4.1.2.9. Solicit or otherwise engage in fundraising activities in Federal offices or facilities, including military reservations, for any political cause or candidate.

4.1.2.10. March or ride in a partisan political parade.

4.1.2.11. Display a large political sign, banner, or poster (as distinguished from a bumper sticker) on a private vehicle.

4.1.2.12. Display a partisan political sign, poster, banner, or similar device visible to the public at one’s residence on a military installation, even if that residence is part of a privatized housing development.

4.1.2.13. Participate in any organized effort to provide voters with transportation to the polls if the effort is organized by or associated with a partisan political party, cause, or candidate.

4.1.2.14. Sell tickets for or otherwise actively promote partisan political dinners and similar fundraising events.

4.1.2.15. Attend partisan political events as an official representative of the Armed Forces, except as a member of a joint Armed Forces color guard at the opening ceremonies of the national conventions of the Republican, Democratic, or other political parties recognized by the Federal Elections Committee or as otherwise authorized by the Secretary concerned.

4.1.2.16. Make a campaign contribution to, or receive or solicit (on one’s own behalf) a campaign contribution from, any other member of the Armed Forces on active duty. Any contributions not prohibited by this subparagraph remain subject to the gift provisions of sections 2635.301-2635.304 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (Reference (f)). See subparagraph 4.1.2.1. for general prohibitions on partisan fundraising activity.

4.1.3. Commissioned officers shall not use contemptuous words as prohibited by section 888 of Reference (b) or participate in activities proscribed by DoD Directives 5200.2 and 1325.6 (References (g) and (h), respectively).

4.1.4. Subject to any other restrictions in law, a member of the Armed Forces not on active duty may take the actions or participate in the activities permitted in subparagraph 4.1.1., and may take the actions and participate in the activities prohibited in subparagraph 4.1.2, provided the member is not in uniform and does not otherwise act in a manner that could reasonably give rise to the inference or appearance of official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement.

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.

so he can get a RW radio show gig or TV gig. He had been warned repeatedly and disobeyed. He took his chances and apparently decided his best chance was to be the next Rush.

http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_20478058/marines-discharge-sergeant-facebook-posts?source=rss

snip
"Tom Umberg, a former Army colonel and military prosecutor, said Stein persisted even after being warned.

"The Marine Corps gave him the opportunity to think about his actions, yet Sgt. Stein continued to undermine the chain of command," said Umberg, who was not involved in Stein's case. "I think his purpose was to leave the Marine Corps in a dramatic fashion in order to begin a career in talk radio or what have you."

Umberg believes the decision to discharge Stein will have limited impact because the vast majority of Marines would never consider such postings.

"I think 99 percent of the soldiers and Marines currently on duty understand the duties of supporting the chain of command and understand their rights of free speech are limited," he said. "To that 1 percent who don't know their rights to free speech are limited once they take the oath, this is a loud and clear message."
snip

It's bound to happen.

The things I said about Nixon weren't fit to print.

if this happened under the last Commander in Chief? Just asking.

So are many of the other people responding and a lot of THEM served under Richard fucking Nixon. It's the law.

This particular RW dumbass formed a public FB group in which he stated that he would not follow the orders of his CIC, among other things. He was warned repeatedly to stop saying those sorts of things by his superiors. He disobeyed over and over. He is being discharged for his less than honorable service to his country. He is a racist RW pig.

But had he been a sweet guy who suddenly couldn't serve under W, I'd say the same thing. You cannot state publicly that you cannot follow the orders of your CIC without repercussions. It's the law. That's just the way it is. You knew it going in. You swore the oath, signed the papers. Either serve your time and get out with with honor or do what you're doing and take the dishonorable. Up to you.

Take the ride.

Rushbo was on Armed Forces Radio, so they were allowed to listen. They are allowed to even be Republicans. Something is missing here. I'm sure they have the right to criticize. The "undermining chain of command language" suggests there was something more.

He called his ultimate superior in his chain of command names.

It was a slam dunk board--other than honorable discharge, out on his ass. No equivocating.

It's not like someone heard him chatting, he put the comments in writing and then doubled down on 'em.

He's a moron--and he got what he deserved.

I'd say the same thing if the idiot was commenting about Bush while Bush was President. You give up certain privileges of citizenship when you serve your nation in the Armed Forces. And you KNOW it, too--you learn that shit in boot camp. This guy was just a mouthy jerk, and he deserved what he got.

Rush is a nitwit, but he doesn't serve in uniform. I don't think they make one in his size...

As far as I'm concerned, the republican Party is NOT a political party, nor is it an organization of individuals whom I have any respect for in any capacity, and would NOT consider disobeying any "order" by a republican to be valid. However, for non-republicans, there is a HUGE difference, especially those of a progressive, globally complicit military run by someone such as President Obama.

Bottom line:

Under President Obama or any progressive Democrat or Socialist, he should be given the harshest punishment possible.

Under Bush, Reagan, or any other republican or libertarian, he would, and SHOULD, be considered a hero. As a matter of fact, we have celebrated many such individuals who had defied Bush when they refused to go to war.

Let's not wax hypocritical. And frankly, let's ban the GOP so we don't have to pull this dance every time someone gets in a snit over commander in chief absolution.

is going to get an OTH. You don't announce that your boss is an idiot and you won't follow their orders. It's a suicide run when you say dumb shit like that, and it doesn't matter who's sitting in the WH.

... aside from the obvious legal/ethical problems.

I hope...

his chances. He should not have been running his mouth about the President, his personal feelings have nothing to do with it. As a member of the military you say yes sir, no sir and suck it up. I think his punishment was sufficient.