Marine Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller was arrested on September 28th and placed in the brig. He had violated a direct, written order to stop posting on social media.His posts included multiple requests for accountability by the upper chain of command in the debacle of the departure from Afghanistan.
The Military Oath for officers is different than that of the enlisted ranks. The enlisted oath requires unwavering obedience to the orders of superiors. The oath taken by officers is to the Constitution, not the chain of command. An officer can challenge what is believed to be an unlawful command. Those who ordered Lt. Colonel Scheller to refrain from posting may have violated his civil rights under the Constitution that they themselves took an oath to protect. The brig will be open for them as well.
The accountability for the Afghanistan debacle rests with the Commander-in-Chief, his Secretaries of State and Defense and the Joint Chiefs. And it stops there. Release Lt. Col. Scheller immediately and reinstate him. Semper Fi.
Agreed! Excellent analysis and advice.