UCMJ and Politics
Army Times reports: A Colorado lawmaker wants the Defense Department to remind active-duty and reserve service members about the rules limiting participation in partisan political events. Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colo., a member of the House Armed Services Committee who served in the Army and Marine Corps, said in a Thursday letter to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta that he thinks existing regulations are fine but that troops may need a reminder.
It is 2012, it is a presidential election year. That means there are potential problems for military personnel (active, Guard, Reserve, or retired) who want to be involved in the political process beyond military voting. If you violate one or more of the rules, regulations, or statutes governing political participation and acts you can find yourself being in a disciplinary situation. Here are links to an example of how a military member can get in trouble over politics.
Here's a reminder, from Stars & Stripes, that politicking in uniform is not allowed.
Here is a piece by Bryant Jordan on Military.com with more on the recent "politicking" of a uniformed Reserve Soldier.
[UPDATE:] The Soldier referenced in the articles above was given a letter of reprimand with it filed in his official record in March 2012. The Army determined that Jesse D. Thorsen violated policies that bar soldiers from participating in political events in their official capacities or while in uniform. Experts say a reprimand may become a problem if Thorsen seeks a promotion or could be used to justify more serious punishment if he gets in trouble again.
[UPDATE] A Marine who appears to have started a Armed Forces Tea Party is also fallen afoul of these rules and is being processed for administrative discharge. In his case it appears he was warned and given opportunities to change, but declined to do so.
Nothing in the rules prohibits or restricts a military member registering to vote or voting, or donating to politicians or political parties; that is the personal choice of each member. What the rules do restrict or limit is how an individual may advocate on behalf of a political party, candidate, or elected official. The greatest restriction is that Active-duty service-members are strictly prohibited from military voting including campaigning for political office or actively taking part in a political campaign - even behind the scenes. This is generally known as partisan political activity: an "activity supporting or relating to candidates representing, or issues specifically identified with, national or State political parties and associated or ancillary organizations."
https://www.court-martial.com/ucmj-and-politics.html