The Army Is Investigating The Pro-Communist West Point Grad In This Viral Photo

[Theinquisition]

A communist can still agree to uphold the United States Constitution.

They also are forbidden from expressing extremist views, which he did.

Obviously I'm not far off the mark given the statement by the USMA on the matter

[Machismo]

So Nazi's should be able to serve?

Plenty of them do. The military has plenty of white nationalists, too.

[Deletedaccount1]

What? That's a ridiculous statement. Political views should have no bearing on whether someone is capable of serving in the military.

What if they are a pacifist, an objector or are sympathetic to an enemy country? I'm not saying the guy in the OP is but there are obvious cases where that statement isn't true.

[Theinquisition]

there are a lot of people who do not follow UCMJ dress code to a tee, especially when it comes to under uniform wear.

Theres a difference between wearing socks with logos on them and wearing a shirt with the picture of a mass murderer under your uniform.

[Orange Joe]

So Nazi's should be able to serve?

We have someone that is dam near a nazi as president atm so....

[Machismo]

They also are forbidden from expressing extremist views, which he did.

Obviously I'm not far off the mark given the statement by the USMA on the matter

That is a matter of subjectivity, and is not so easily proven in court. Speaking out against higher-ranking officers or the CiC can get him tossed out rather easily. It happened to the guy who called Obama a monkey, and said he hated him, and would never obey any orders from him.

Simply being a communist isn't enough.

[Endus]

Actually there is when in the military.

Really? Feel free to cite the Uniform Code that's relevant.

Note that passages about partisan political action and such refer to campaigning or working with the party directly, not just holding certain political views. He might've breached the latter on conduct principles alone, but "being a communist" isn't a breach itself. Even if he's open and public about it.

[Theinquisition]

Plenty of them do. The military has plenty of white nationalists, too.

They also get discharged when the CoC finds out.

[Machismo]

Theres a difference between wearing socks with logos on them and wearing a shirt with the picture of a mass murderer under your uniform.

Was it a George Bush shirt?

I crack myself up.

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They also get discharged when the CoC finds out.

What is a CoC? Too many acronyms to remember.

[Endus]

there is something wrong with preaching partisan politics in uniform and insulting people above you in the CoC

Right. To be clear, I'm not saying this guy's actions are totally okay. I'm saying "being a communist" isn't objectionable or prosecutable. This guy should be in exactly the same trouble that he'd be in if his hat had read "Republicans will win" and he was a part of a Republican advocacy group.

[Crissi]

Really? Feel free to cite the Uniform Code that's relevant.

Note that passages about partisan political action and such refer to campaigning or working with the party directly, not just holding certain political views. He might've breached the latter on conduct principles alone, but "being a communist" isn't a breach itself. Even if he's open and public about it.

He is free to do so on his own time. He cannot do it when he is representing the military, however. Which is where the issue lies.

[Barnabas]

What other violation did he commit?

Rules of standard violation and the reason he got removed from the unit. So this is all kind of dead in water at this point.

[Endus]

He is free to do so on his own time. He cannot do it when he is representing the military, however. Which is where the issue lies.

Yeah, see the above response to Nasuuna. This is an issue of political conduct/advocacy, rather than an issue based on the ideals behind his views, which he's free to hold.

That's why I opened this by asking why the topic was about him being "pro-Communist", when the issue is his advocacy for any partisan political outlook while serving.

[SupBrah]

What is a CoC? Too many acronyms to remember.

Chain of Command

[TZucchini]

So Nazi's should be able to serve?

"Should be able to" - I mean honestly, I could go through a huge list of people that I don't think should be able to serve. I'm not aware of a law that would stop it.

[GennGreymane]

You honestly think that everyone that serves believes that? I have friends that served and can tell you thats bullshit.

He never served, so he wouldn't know.

[Machismo]

Chain of Command

Understood, I wasn't sure if he meant CiC, for Commander in Chief.

Thanks for the heads up.

[Crissi]

Yeah, see the above response to Nasuuna. This is an issue of political conduct/advocacy, rather than an issue based on the ideals behind his views, which he's free to hold.

That's why I opened this by asking why the topic was about him being "pro-Communist", when the issue is his advocacy for any partisan political outlook while serving.

I just wonder why even bother going into the US Army in that case. Pretty sure his beliefs alone would disqualify from security clearances

[PC2]

I don't think it matters if the person is doing a mundane routine job.

If someone is in a position involving classified information, by definition they have to sign away some of their freedoms that they would otherwise have in the public arena. If you want all your rights at all times, don't sign them away.

[Crissi]

He never served, so he wouldn't know.

Yeah, stop with this.