Leaked Email: Top Brass Warn Military Troops Not To March For Ron Paul – “High Importance” Message Distributed by Senior Level Navy Official
Steve Watson
Prisonplanet.com
February 17, 2012
Click the image for information on the Feb. 20th march on Washington D.C.
An email leaked by multiple active duty personnel shows that the military has issued a warning to troops encouraging them not to take part in the upcoming Veterans for Ron Paul 2012 march in Washington on Monday.
The email, posted to the group’s facebook event page and sent to organiser Adam Kokesh by several unconfirmed sources, lays out several directives on participation in political events by active and non active duty military.
Referring to the event as a “partisan political march”, the insinuation is clear – any active duty personnel, whether in uniform or not, and any reservists marching in uniform or otherwise deemed to be endorsing Ron Paul, could be reprimanded.
The email, apparently sent by Joel A. Weger, Senior Attorney at the Office of the Assistant General Counsel (Ethics) in the Department of the Navy, was sent on high importance and warns recipients “You may wish to advise your command regarding this particular event because of the apparent solicitation of active duty personnel”.
The full email is below:
—–Original Message—–
From: Weger, Joel A CIV OGC, Ethics [mailto:joel.weger@NAVY.MIL]
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 8:17
To: ETHICS@LISTSERV.LAW.NAVY.MIL
Subject: [ETHICS] Partisan Political MarchImportance: High
It has come to our attention that a partisan political march targeting military personnel is being organized for February 20, 2012. See link below:
http://www.facebook.com/events/192677970828185/?ref=notif¬if_t=event_invite
As a reminder, active duty personnel are prohibited by DoD Directive 1344.10 paragraph 4.1.2.10 from marching in a partisan political parade regardless of whether they are in uniform or civilian clothes. Reservists not on active duty and retirees may not march in uniform pursuant to paragraph 4.1.4. Reservists not on active duty and retirees may march in civilian clothes provided that they do not otherwise act in a manner that could reasonably give rise to the inference or appearance of official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement.
The directive is a lawful general regulation. Violations of paragraphs 4.1. through 4.5. of the Directive by persons subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice are punishable under Article 92, “Failure to Obey Order or Regulation.”
In addition, DODI 1334.01, paragraph 3.1.2 prohibits the wearing of the uniform by members of the armed forces (including retired members and members of reserve components) during or in connection with political activities.
You may wish to advise your command regarding this particular event because of the apparent solicitation of active duty personnel.
Joel A. Weger
Senior Attorney
Department of the Navy
Office of the Assistant General Counsel (Ethics)
703.614.XXXX
Adam Kokesh, co-founder of Veterans for Ron Paul 2012 and himself an Iraq war veteran, responded to the email by thanking the Navy for inadvertently promoting the event.
Watch the video:
The directives cited in the email were recently highlighted when it was revealed that someone within the military had taken exception to Reserve Corporal Jesse Thorsen’s endorsement of Ron Paul during the Congressman’s post-Iowa caucuses rally.
After mysteriously being cut short during a CNN interview, Thorsen, who has served two tours in Afghanistan and was due to head back for a third, was invited on to the stage by Paul himself to address Paul’s cheering supporters.
Thorsen, while not currently on active duty, duly received threats of reprimand for appearing in uniform with Paul.
As has been repeatedly noted, Ron Paul is the presidential choice of the troops. Paul has received more campaign donations from active duty military personnel than any other presidential candidate, including Barack Obama.
To date, Paul has collected $95,567 from individuals who listed their occupation as one of the branches of the US military or US Department of Defense.
| Donor | Obama | Romney | Gingrich | Paul | Santorum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Guard | $1,262 | $0 | $0 | $4,068 | $0 |
| US Air Force | $9,785 | $4,400 | $4,400 | $23,736 | $0 |
| US Army | $15,600 | $3,500 | $250 | $24,503 | $250 |
| US Coast Guard | $6,002 | $0 | $0 | $3,716 | $0 |
| US Dept of Defense | $27,613 | $2,150 | $0 | $9,527 | $0 |
| US Marine Corps | $1,700 | $250 | $0 | $7,662 | $0 |
| US Military | $200 | $0 | $0 | $2,083 | $0 |
| US Navy | $10,454 | $3,000 | $250 | $20,272 | $500 |
| TOTAL | $72,616 | $13,300 | $4,900 | $95,567 | $750 |
Related articles
- Veterans, Active Duty Soldiers To March On White House For Ron Paul: Media ignores Paul’s service record and fact he has most donations from military (destructionist.wordpress.com)
- Military Warns Active-Duty Ron Paul Supporters Against Joining Upcoming Protest March (notesandobservations.me)
- Prison Planet.com ” Veterans, Active Duty Soldiers To March On White House For Ron Paul (gunnyg.wordpress.com)
As a reguler U.S. citizen, it disgusts me that our U.S. government would treat our military this way. Rules or no, if I were military personnel, I would be outraged that the same officials that ask me to DIE protecting the rights provided to us in our Constitution would reprimand me just for excercising them! If this isn’t a wake up call to our local law enforcement and active duty military personnel that you are being USED and lied to about what your role really is in this country and abroad, what will be??