During the election, I can confirm that spouses in our region, as
well as regular personnel, were reminded very strongly about these
regulations. In fact, the reminder did not discern between certain
rights military personnel *do* have (such as writing a letter to
the editor, as long as they are not participating in an organized
campaign), and those that go against the directive. Often people
summarize the rules a little too broadly. Military personnel do
have rights to political opinions (see
URL - Enclosure 3 of that DODD) but they must tread lightly in
when and how they express them.
Also, Wolfowitz amended the directive (1344.10) after the
Democratic Convention, and before the Republican Convention,
which is why so many uniformed people were at the RNC, supposedly
as delegates.
I remember vividly calling a voter about (Gen.) Wesley Clark's
campaign, and this very sweet lady asking me, "Why won't they let
him wear his uniform? He looks so much nicer than when he wears
those sweaters!"
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