<p>Service members have a basic constitutional right to vote. They also have a special obligation to remain politically neutral under any circumstances in which their partisan allegiance might be connected to the military. Expressions of partisan support violate the military’s long-standing professional and constitutional position of political neutrality.</p>
<p>Just after the end of the Vietnam War, the Supreme Court reminded us in Greer v. Spock that the military has an obligation under the Constitution to avoid “both the reality and the appearance of acting as a handmaiden for partisan political causes.”</p>
<p>In a nation built on civilian control of the military, the people holding the weapons should never appear to influence the votes of the citizens they protect. </p>
<p>Secondly, partisan politics has no place in a military unit. The President is Commander-in-Chief of the military, and, therefore, directly in the chain of command. Additionally, dissident political expressions can contribute to morale issues. Lastly, personal political dissidence will erode an individual’s will to fight. In this forum, consisting of future military leaders, we must be aware of this.</p>
<p>Bottom line: If you are in the military, be politically savvy and vote, but keep your views to yourself. If you are the parent of someone in the military, back off and do not participate in any political conversations in the presence of your military member.</p>