Veterans can speak out politically, but one Marine vet says they should expect repercussions

Former US Marine Tim McLaughlin says both the Democrats and the Republicans frustrate him. The Iraq War vet believes the major parties are co-opting service members' stories of sacrifice to boost their own credibility.

"My experience is most politicians' first goal is to be elected," he says, "and everything else is secondary." McLaughlin's comments follow statements by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — the nation's top military officer — who had a message for members of the armed forces on Monday. Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford said all active-duty service should remain "apolitical and non-partisan."

The same day a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs went a step further. Retired US Army Gen. Martin Dempsey said Monday that retired generals and admirals should not speak out "about those seeking office."

McLaughlin understands the arguments.

"Obviously we all vote, we all have opinions, we share them with our family members and friends,” he says, “but it's very dangerous when active-duty service members affiliate with political parties, because it gives the appearance that the Marine Corps, the Army, the Navy or the Coast Guard favors this or that point of view."

Witness events in Turkey, where an Army faction nearly overthrew that nation's elected leader in mid-July.

"It is dangerous when the military starts picking political sides," says McLaughlin.

And yet, he sees exceptions.

Retired US Marine Gen. John Allen did not shy away from picking sides when he spoke on the final night of the Democratic National Convention. McLaughlin watched Allen’s speech with great interest — Allen had been his commanding officer in 2000.

"I think it's important for him to be able to express his opinion, given the way the political discourse has developed,” McLaughlin notes. “I worry, however, that whether it's Gen. Allen speaking with Hillary Clinton, or other generals speaking with Donald Trump, that it takes away from the actual sacrifices that are being made by our young men and women who leave behind Blue Star Families and Gold Star Families." 

“My experiences in 2003 [in Iraq] did not have anything to do with politics,” recalls McLaughlin. “They had to do with young men and women who sign up to fight for their country and defend it. And it frustrates me when I see the co-option of my [experience] and my [fellow] service members' experience for political gain.”

Much controversy followed a speech at the Democratic convention by the father of fallen soldier Humayun Khan, who was killed in Iraq. Khizr Khan's speech at the Democratic National Convention — asking Trump if he'd ever read the Constitution — went viral. As did Mr. Trump’s response.

But McLaughlin says talk of service members’ experiences, including their ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield, are a legitimate part of current political discourse. He thinks vets and vets’ families should feel free to speak out.

“If they can find a way to help the country understand what their experiences have been, then they should,” he says. “And if they want to enter the political arena, then they should.”

But, McLaughlin cautions, speaking out as a former member of the military has consequences.

“When you enter into the political arena,” he says, “there are no rules. The political party's goal is to get elected. And if they can get elected by diminishing a service member's experience, they will. And if they can get elected by cherishing a service member's experience, they will.”

Former US Marine Tim McLaughlin says both the Democrats and the Republicans frustrate him. The Iraq War vet believes the major parties are co-opting service members' stories of sacrifice to boost their own credibility.

"My experience is most politicians' first goal is to be elected," he says, "and everything else is secondary." McLaughlin's comments follow statements by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — the nation's top military officer — who had a message for members of the armed forces on Monday. Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford said all active-duty service should remain "apolitical and non-partisan."

The same day a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs went a step further. Retired US Army Gen. Martin Dempsey said Monday that retired generals and admirals should not speak out "about those seeking office."

McLaughlin understands the arguments.

"Obviously we all vote, we all have opinions, we share them with our family members and friends,” he says, “but it's very dangerous when active-duty service members affiliate with political parties, because it gives the appearance that the Marine Corps, the Army, the Navy or the Coast Guard favors this or that point of view."

Witness events in Turkey, where an Army faction nearly overthrew that nation's elected leader in mid-July.

"It is dangerous when the military starts picking political sides," says McLaughlin.

And yet, he sees exceptions.

Retired US Marine Gen. John Allen did not shy away from picking sides when he spoke on the final night of the Democratic National Convention. McLaughlin watched Allen’s speech with great interest — Allen had been his commanding officer in 2000.

"I think it's important for him to be able to express his opinion, given the way the political discourse has developed,” McLaughlin notes. “I worry, however, that whether it's Gen. Allen speaking with Hillary Clinton, or other generals speaking with Donald Trump, that it takes away from the actual sacrifices that are being made by our young men and women who leave behind Blue Star Families and Gold Star Families." 

“My experiences in 2003 [in Iraq] did not have anything to do with politics,” recalls McLaughlin. “They had to do with young men and women who sign up to fight for their country and defend it. And it frustrates me when I see the co-option of my [experience] and my [fellow] service members' experience for political gain.”

Much controversy followed a speech at the Democratic convention by the father of fallen soldier Humayun Khan, who was killed in Iraq. Khizr Khan's speech at the Democratic National Convention — asking Trump if he'd ever read the Constitution — went viral. As did Mr. Trump’s response.

But McLaughlin says talk of service members’ experiences, including their ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield, are a legitimate part of current political discourse. He thinks vets and vets’ families should feel free to speak out.

“If they can find a way to help the country understand what their experiences have been, then they should,” he says. “And if they want to enter the political arena, then they should.”

But, McLaughlin cautions, speaking out as a former member of the military has consequences.

“When you enter into the political arena,” he says, “there are no rules. The political party's goal is to get elected. And if they can get elected by diminishing a service member's experience, they will. And if they can get elected by cherishing a service member's experience, they will.”