Marine who criticized President Obama on Facebook discharged

otisptoadwater wrote: I'm guessing it was back in the 1980s but I will also confess I would have to do some research to get you the exact information. I seem to recall that then Secretary of the Navy Lehman rescinded the beard policy and about the same time there where a bunch of other changes to the UCMJ.

As far as I know it was like that when i retired in '96. I thought you might know. Do not go to any trouble.

I remember having to shave my beard. I am sure I called Lehman or whoever many names while on duty.

I thought it was the CNO who did it , but I guess SecNav would have had a say. I think it was a Z-gram from the CNO that let us have beards.

Yep, a salty dog ought to have a beard, it's just a normal tradition. It seems to me to be a natural naval tradition but those in power took that right away. I still remember submitting a beard chit as an E-2 and claiming I was "too ugly not to wear a beard." After a short review and a personal interview with a dick smyth my chit was approved with the stipulation I grew my beard in two weeks or less and kept it clean, well trimmed, and inspectable at all times (in the meanwhile I had to carry my chit).

Chiefs made it a PITA and harassed me like crazy but 14 days later I was sporting a nice thick red beard and spending too much time trimming it, I kept it for most of my 26 years in the Navy. More than one of my work center supervisors referred to me as "Red Beard" when I got a demanding, I took it as a term of endearment (even when I shouldn't have).

OH, I did not realize we were not contemporaries. If you had a beard for most of your 26 years you must have retired when I was a pollywog pup. I had mine for just a few years post boot camp.

otisptoadwater wrote: Yep, a salty dog ought to have a beard, it's just a normal tradition. It seems to me to be a natural naval tradition but those in power took that right away. I still remember submitting a beard chit as an E-2 and claiming I was "too ugly not to wear a beard." After a short review and a personal interview with a dick smyth my chit was approved with the stipulation I grew my beard in two weeks or less and kept it clean, well trimmed, and inspectable at all times (in the meanwhile I had to carry my chit).

Chiefs made it a PITA and harassed me like crazy but 14 days later I was sporting a nice thick red beard and spending too much time trimming it, I kept it for most of my 26 years in the Navy. More than one of my work center supervisors referred to me as "Red Beard" when I got a demanding, I took it as a term of endearment (even when I shouldn't have).

Being stupid and broadcasting it. I am sure if he made the same statement on a barstool he would still be in the service. Facebook doesn't make you do stupid things but now many more people see u do it.

FYI: A researcher on the news this morning said that the rule against military personnel criticizing the CiC publicly has been around since the Civil War.

Doesn't mean they don't criticize. Just can't leave a paper trail.