VINDMAN: Uniform question answered

Why did Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman wear his army dress uniform to the congressional hearing on Tuesday? Some Republicans on the committee, along with some conservative talk show hosts voiced a strong opinion that it was inappropriate for Vindman to wear his. Perhaps it was just for show — after all, he wears a suit to work every day in the White House — or perhaps to gain sympathy in the hearing room or on national television. A few of the committee members had been in the military, so could they have worn their military uniforms to the hearing?

The answer lies in military regulations. Active duty military personnel can’t run for or hold public office and once they’ve left the military to run for office, they can no longer wear the uniform except for special occasions. They could, however, continue a military career in the Guard or Reserve, but unless they were testifying before that committee as a military expert, they could not wear the uniform during the hearing.

Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman is an active duty military officer in good standing and, lacking an exception or waiver, would be required to appear in full dress uniform for the duration of his testimony before Congress. Moreover, Lt. Col. Vindman was not only required to wear his dress uniform while testifying, personal pride in his adopted country seemed to dictate to Vindman that he do so with extraordinary pride. Witness his emotional message to his father that in this country, he would be OK — nothing bad would happen to him for telling the truth.

EDWARD GRAY

Post Falls