woodguru

The military is an absolutely political free zone, the top echelon brass cannot be seen to be politically active in representing political stances because it would be disastrous to have the rank and file openly picking sides. Rules and military law has an absolute necessity for the stability and everyone knowing what the rules are and that they will be enforced. The lowest soldier can pull out the military bible, the UMCJ, and quote a statute that an officer is in violation of, and the officer would be wise to heed that warning...now there might be some retaliation down the line, but my point is that everyone from the bottom to the top generals is aware of the rules, and they will adhere to them.

Quelling any dissention in the ranks is of hardcore importance, bad leadership can result in literal rejections of that incompetence. Military men have an obligation to serve the country and the military...the president is the commander in chief and it makes no difference whether they are a democrat or a republican. The military does not side with any political party, neither the officers or the rank and file.

Trump is turning the military into a political mess, he is creating the same division that exists in our country into a military that does not allow politics in any way. He pardoned someone who was guilty of a violation of the military code of justice, it has to be dealt with with a disciplinary action so as to maintain that order.

So here is the question, how does the military respond to the violations of ethics involved here the next time someone takes a picture with someone he k**led? The president, the commander in chief just apparently sent the message that this is now okay? How is this handled the next time the military wants to operate by black and white military criminal codes? Someone being charged is bound to say hey, the president pardoned Gallagher for this, I'll just ask for a pardon. The reality is that the military, not wanting a showdown with the president, will decline charging offenses that at any other time they would have.

And now trump, in an even stupider and more destructive mode, plans to have this guy who is not the military's best by any definition campaign with him, hold him up as another despicable who stands with him.

BigMike Loc: yerington nv

You probably don't remember Obama's little rearrangement of the military and their mission but I do. This is the direct result of that.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

Actually, obama can be credited for the divide when he commutted the sentense of Manning. Manning was charged and found guilty by the military of selling classified docunments to our enemies. He also thumbed his nose at the military when he freed five Taliban leaders to free "POW" Bowe Bergdahl, whom he portrayed as a hero. So, put it in perspective...President Trump allowed a decorated seal member walk free who's crime was having his photo taken with a dead enemy of our nation while obama had released terrorists to save a man who gave our military plans to the Taliban and another who sold secret documents. Which is really the enemy of our military?

BigMike Loc: yerington nv

That's farther back than they can remember.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

Short attention span!!!!

Rose42

The military is very political and only gets more so the further up the chain you go.

A lot of guys have had their pictures taken next to an enemy they’ve k**led. A blind eye is turned when it stays quiet.

The reality is you don’t know that much about how the military works.

PLT Sarge Loc: Alabama

In addition to the UMCJ there is AR {Army Regulations} 600-20, which is the Army's employees hand book. I always had one in my duffle. I refused an order once from my Commander, I knew the mission and knew I was going to be ordered to perform that duty, "Forward Thinking". In the brief, I refused the order on the grounds that it was against Army Regulations and cited the regulation. Pissed the brass off but they knew I was right. But I knew if things went south there could be to much collateral damage. If a person never gets out of the wire they can't understand. Point I'm trying to make is that in combat choices are made. You and I were not there when this came down. Also, what the Commander in Chief did is done. Deal with it.

Smedley_buzkill

Not to mention they rarely comprehend things to which they do pay attention.

Smedley_buzkill

Once more, I find it amusing, sometimes annoying when those who have never served in the military presume to tell those of us who have "how the military works."

BigMike Loc: yerington nv

Too many brass suits.

Rose42

Yes.

BigMike Loc: yerington nv

Especially anything related to anything else...no matter how closely.

BigMike Loc: yerington nv

woodguru

Pardoning soldiers the military sees as murderers?

BigMike Loc: yerington nv

Soldiers are paid and trained to k**l people and break things.

Take your social engineering bs somewhere else.