Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter is upset at the United States armed forces because Colonel Christopher Dawling instituted action against a sergeant under his command who posted statements on Facebook that he would not obey orders from the Commander-in-Chief, President Barack Obama. Hunter argues that Sgt. Gary Stein has free speech rights and can not be punished for speaking his mind.
When one enters the US armed forces, one is now subject to military regulations and these do not allow stating a refusal to obey orders. The essence of the American military is that not once in our history have they attempted to disobey the Commander-in-Chief and overthrow the government. In 1951, General Douglas MacArthur publicly stated his ideas regarding handling the Korean War and was dismissed by the president.
Sgt. Stein has a right to speak privately about not obeying orders, but, just like General MacArthur he can not publicly make such statements.
