The Army announced that it had launched an investigation into how two uniformed soldiers appeared on camera during the roll call of the Democratic National Convention.
The two officers, assigned to the 9th Mission Support Command of the Army Reserve, made sure they had written rules from the Department of Defense after being seen standing with U.S. Samoa delegates during the call. e state.
The Pentagon strictly prohibits uniformed personnel from appearing at political engagements as part of its years-long effort to keep the army as apolitical as possible.
Both soldiers were sitting in their camouflage uniforms and black masks as two delegates from the ground announced their votes for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
In a statement to The Post on Thursday, Colonel-Judge Emanuel Ortiz confirmed the investigation, saying: ‘Wearing a uniform at a partisan political event such as this is prohibited.
“The Army is pursuing the Department of Defense’s long-standing and well-defined policy regarding political campaigns and elections to prevent the perception of DoD sponsorship, approval or endorsement of any political candidate, campaign or cause.”
Ortiz went on to provide a few examples of prohibited political activities, including “campaigning for a candidate, attracting contributions, marching in a partisan parade, and wearing the uniform to a partisan event.”
Democratic National Committee spokesman Xochitl Hinojosa called the performance of service providers in the segment an oversight. ‘
“Each state was asked to highlight issues and values that are most important and the U.S. Samoa delegation wanted to highlight their commitment to military service when they filmed their segment,” she said Wednesday.
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