Soldier Free Speech
by Larry Gill

I recently read an article posted on the internet (MSN.com), discussing a soldier’s right to free speech, as well as freedom to write (blog) certain opinions. My immediate response to this article was that, “Nothing is free!” By that I mean, if it were not for soldiers, airmen, sailors, marines, and coast guardsmen, et al, fighting to keep our democratic values intact, then none of us would be guaranteed the right to free speech or anything else!

I will tell you though, as a Staff Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO), I was always concerned with operational security (OPSEC), and the old adage of “Loose lips sinks ships!” However, through the application of solid leadership and actually caring for the men (and women) under my charge (this was key), I never worried about them “sounding off!” They always came to me and their concerns were dealt with, and if need be, corrected.

With today’s biased media, there are too many negative images and stories from the war on terror making their way into America’s homes each evening, and this negativity is eating away at the backbone and determination of each and every American. It is proving to be poison for our souls and is eroding our will to fight and win! One thing is for sure, the article adds fuel to the fire and present-day debate where as soldiers who are sounding-off about various issues, are being labeled as whistle blowers, non-conformist, cry-babies, and even traitors! However, not only was I always concerned about OPSEC, but I also believe in the old saying, “where there’s smoke, there’s fire!” So, are these soldiers just sounding off because of personal grievances about perceived inefficiencies in today’s military environs, or are they actually making a good argument?

Depending on who is asked, and what their respective platform may be, one might say that a good argument appeals only to reason and never to one’s emotions, and to interject ones emotions makes one’s argument irrelevant and illegitimate. Trust me when I tell you: “Once you have faced with the working end of a Soviet or Chinese made AK-47, or been the un-wanting recipient of hot, jagged shrapnel, you will, as do I, invoke emotions into every argument you will engage in for the remainder of your life. Why? Because you have fought for, and risked your life, earning the right to free speech!” However, these soldiers, marines, et al, who feel compelled to “sound off,” must remember that, “Discretion is the better part of valor,” and you can only buck the system as far as your chain of command is willing to support you. So when it comes to exercising your rights to free speech (or writing), keep in mind that a little satire goes a long way, and a lot of satire goes longer! Political cartoonists have used satire for centuries, and so have our military men and women.

For example, in 1999, I found myself in the jungles of Honduras on a six-month tour of duty with the Army National Guard. After two months of hot, humid weather, no liberty (no alcoholic beverages!) and a Base Camp Executive Officer (XO) who was determined to court marshal anyone for anything; the morale of the troops could not have been lower! That is of course, until an anonymous soldier began publishing an underground newsletter called, “Closer to the Truth.” This newsletter made fun of the chain of command, the situation we had found ourselves in, and yes, the XO, who was referred to as the “Big Bad Wolf” (but we knew whom it was talking about!). There was also a section called “Mail Bag,” where the readers could write to the anonymous editor, who was affectionately known as “Elvis!” These newsletters (13 editions) would mysteriously appear in tents, offices, latrines, mess tents, and bulletin boards all over the base camp! The newsletter was so popular among the troops (and some of the officers), that once printed and dispensed, they would disappear as fast as the readers could get their hands on them! It was a harmful way to poke fun at, and speak out about the harshness of the XO and his “no nonsense” base camp, and to regenerate the morale of the troops, at the same time! It was not much longer during the course of this tour of duty that we were allowed some liberty, and a “beer tent” was erected to serve us cold beer! The XO was eventually transferred to Saudi Arabia, and morale was practically improved over night! However, if the satire and quiet methods such as this don’t help, then there are other alternatives.

Having said, when a combat-wounded soldier or any soldier for that matter, has properly utilized his chain of command in seeking relief from an injustice, only to have the complaint ignored by his Commanders and his/her elected officials, then it is certainly within his/her rights to go outside the military and notify whomever they desire. Be it the Washington Post or any other media source! Bear in mind though, the military is not a democratic run organization. It is a dictatorship and there is always the chance of reprisal towards those that speak out, simply because others may not perceive the same problems that prompted complaints (like poor living standards and frequents administrative mishaps). Recently, those military personnel who went outside their respective chains of commands to report these type incidents at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, to the media, did so to shed some public light on the operational inefficiencies within our military and Veteran’s Administration’s hospitals. Because these complaints were revealed to the general public, the formation of a government commission was ordered to review the questionable operating procedures. There have now been recommendations made calling for mandated revisions and new legislation to update these operations and to help prevent the same problems from happening in the future.

The question still remains as to whether these changes will happen. Once the media frenzy cools down, will the urgency to correct these inefficiencies cool down as well? Only time will tell! Until then, I would recommend to any soldier who feels the need to "speak out" to go see his SNCO. Remember, you must think and you must follow the rules and regulations to prevent reprisal. Above all, remember your OPSEC! If you do go around the system, do not divulge any information about personnel, unit capabilities, movements, etc., because there are punitive articles for violating written orders, so be smart! Reporters have been forced to reveal sources, more so in recent years. After all, if you are a military veteran you have, more than others, earned your right to smart "Free Speech!"

Larry Gill is a veteran with 22 years of service and a two-time recipient of the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in action. He is the founder of First Person, Inc., a speaking group consisting of veterans injured during the Global War on Terror, and may be contacted at: www.FirstPerson-WaronTerror.com.)